Devices, systems, and methods for reshaping a heart valve annulus

• US 8,979,925 B2
• Filed: 10/13/2011
• Issued: 03/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MVRx, Inc.
• Original Assignee: MVRx, Inc.
• Inventors: Chang, Robert T., Macoviak, John A., Rahdert, David A., Machold, Timothy R.
• Primary Examiner(s): STEWART, JASON-DENNIS NEILKEN
• Application Number:
  US13/272,716
• Publication Number:
  US 20120035718A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,251 Days
• Field of Search: 623 236- 237
• US Class Current: 623/2.36
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0401 Suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to bone, cartilage or soft tissue; Instruments for applying or removing suture anchors A61B17/0642 takes precedence; fixation devices for tendons or ligaments A61F2/0811
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0487 Suture clamps, clips or locks, e.g. for replacing suture knots; Instruments for applying or removing suture clamps, clips or locks suture anchors A61B17/0401; wound clamps or clips A61B17/08; ligaturing clamps or clips A61B17/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00575 for closure at remote site, e.g. closing atrial septum defects
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00592 Elastic or resilient implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00606 Implements H-shaped in cross-section, i.e. with occluders on both sides of the opening
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00876 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0417 T-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0453 threaded elements, e.g. set screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0454 the anchor being crimped or clamped on the suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0458 Longitudinal through hole, e.g. suture blocked by a distal suture knot
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0464 for soft tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 for tensioning sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2445 Annuloplasty rings in direct contact with the valve annulus
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2451 Inserts in the coronary sinus for correcting the valve shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2454 Means for preventing inversion of the valve leaflets, e.g. chordae tendineae prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2466 Delivery devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2487 Devices within the heart chamber, e.g. splints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/009 : magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0093 : Umbrella-shaped, e.g. mushroom-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0012 : for adjusting elasticity, flexibility, spring rate or mechanical tension

Abstract

Implants or systems of implants and methods apply a selected force vector or a selected combination of force vectors within or across the left atrium, which allow mitral valve leaflets to better coapt. The implants or systems of implants and methods make possible rapid deployment, facile endovascular delivery, and full intra-atrial retrievability. The implants or systems of implants and methods also make use of strong fluoroscopic landmarks. The implants or systems of implants and methods make use of an adjustable implant and a fixed length implant. The implants or systems of implants and methods may also utilize a bridge stop to secure the implant, and the methods of implantation employ various tools.

Claims

1. An implant for use in a human atrium comprising:

a bridging element, the bridging element comprising a posterior bridge stop region, a spanning region, and an anterior bridge stop region;

an anterior bridge stop located at said anterior bridge stop region, said anterior bridge stop movable between a loose configuration and a snug configuration such that when said anterior bridge stop is in the loose configuration, said bridging element may slide relative to said anterior bridge stop; and

when said anterior lock is in said snug configuration, said bridging element is constrained from sliding relative to said anterior bridge stop, and further where said anterior bridge stop is reversible between said snug configuration and said loose configuration such that when moved from said loose to said snug configuration, it may be reversed and moved back to a loose configuration;

a posterior bridge stop member attachable to said posterior bridge stop region.

2. An implant as in claim 1 further comprising a septal member, said septal member positionable along said bridging element between said anterior bridge stop and said spanning region.

3. An implant as in claim 2 wherein said septal member is made in part from material selected from the group consisting of a metallic material, polymer material, a metallic wire form structure, a polymer wire form structure, suture material, equine pericardium, porcine pericardium, bovine pericardium and preserved mammalian tissue.

4. An implant as in claim 2 wherein said septal members are disc shaped structures.

5. An implant as in claim 2, wherein said septal member comprises a first pad element and a second pad element and wherein said first and said second pad are spaced apart.

6. An implant as in claim 5 wherein said first and second pad are joined at a center region.

7. An implant as in claim 2 wherein said septal member has a star configuration.

8. An implant as in claim 2 wherein said septal member has a multi-armed configuration.

9. An implant as in claim 1 wherein said posterior bridge stop member is an elongate structure.

10. A implant as in claim 9 wherein said elongate structure is selected from the group consisting of a solid rod, a hollow tube, and a stent and a structure with a c-shaped cross-section.

11. An implant as in claim 1 wherein said anterior bridge stopped may be placed in a fixed configuration after it has been in a loose configuration.