Heart valve implant

• US 8,888,844 B2
• Filed: 01/10/2012
• Issued: 11/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiosolutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Cardiosolutions, Inc.
• Inventors: Eliasen, Kenneth Arden, Tallarida, Steven J., Ebner, Adrian
• Primary Examiner(s): GHERBI, SUZETTE JAIME J
• Application Number:
  US13/347,522
• Publication Number:
  US 20120143320A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,043 Days
• Field of Search: 623/1.24, 623 212- 219
• US Class Current: 623/2.36
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/246 Devices for obstructing a leak through a native valve in a closed condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0003 having an inflatable pocket filled with fluid, e.g. liquid or gas

Abstract

A method according to one embodiment may include providing a heart valve implant including an anchor capable of engaging coronary tissue, a shaft coupled to said anchor, and a valve body coupled to said shaft. The method may further include at least partially collapsing the heart valve implant and percutaneously inserting the heart valve implant into a heart. The percutaneously inserted implant may be secured within the heart and may then be expanded. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.

Claims

1. A heart valve implant comprising:

a shaft extending generally linearly along a longitudinal axis of said heart valve implant, said shaft having a first and a second end disposed generally opposite each other;

an anchor coupled to said first end of said shaft, said anchor configured to engage native coronary tissue; and

an inflatable valve body fixably coupled to said second end of said shaft in a stationary position with respect to said second end of said shaft, said valve body configured to be disposed between at least two cusps of a heart valve and to engage against at least a portion of at least one cusp of said heart valve to at least partially restrict a flow of blood through said heart valve in a closed position;

wherein said heart valve implant is coupled only to native coronary tissue of a heart chamber; and

wherein said valve body comprises a tapered portion and an enlarged portion.

2. A heart valve implant according to claim 1, wherein said enlarged portion is capable of at least partially sealingly engaging said heart valve in said closed position.

3. A heart valve implant comprising:

a substantially linear shaft having a first and a second end;

an anchor coupled to said first end of said shaft, said anchor configured to engage only native coronary tissue; and

an inflatable valve body coupled to said second end of said shaft defining a cavity configured to receive an inflation medium, said valve body configured to be disposed between at least two cusps of a heart valve and to engage against at least a portion of at least one cusp of said heart valve to at least partially restrict a flow of blood through said heart valve in a closed position;

wherein said valve body further comprises a plurality of support ribs.

4. A heart valve implant according to claim 3, wherein said plurality of support ribs includes a shape memory material capable of recoverable deformation.

5. A heart valve implant according to claim 3, wherein said valve body comprises a tapered portion and an enlarged portion.

6. A heart valve implant according to claim 5, wherein said enlarged position is capable of at least partially sealingly engaging said heart valve in said closed position.

7. A heart valve implant comprising:

a substantially linear shaft having a first and a second end;

an anchor coupled to said first end of said shaft, said anchor configured to be coupled to only native coronary tissue; and

an inflatable valve body defining a cavity configured to receive an inflation medium, said valve body configured to be securely coupled to said second end of said shaft such that said inflatable valve body is disposed between at least two cusps of a heart valve to engage against at least a portion of at least one cusp of said heart valve to at least partially restrict a flow of blood through said heart valve in a closed position when said heart valve implant is coupled to said native coronary tissue.