Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120016470 | TRANSCATHETER HEART VALVE WITH MICRO-ANCHORS - Various embodiments of methods and apparatus for treating defective heart valve are disclosed herein. In one exemplary embodiment, a transcatheter heart valve is disclosed that includes an expandable shape memory stent and a valve member supported by the stent. A plurality of micro-anchors can be disposed along an outer surface of the stent for engaging native tissue. The transcatheter heart valve can be configured to be advanced into a dilated valve annulus via a balloon catheter. The balloon can be inflated to expand the transcatheter heart valve from a collapsed diameter to an over-expanded diameter such that the micro-anchors engage tissue along the surrounding valve annulus. After engaging the tissue, the balloon can be deflated and the shape memory stent can retract or recoil toward its predetermined recoil diameter. As the stent recoils, the surrounding tissue is pulled inward by the stent such that the diameter of the valve annulus is reduced. | 01-19-2012 |
20120029628 | METHOD OF RESHAPING A VENTRICLE - Methods for restoring the conical shape of a dilated heart ventricle, or at least reshaping the ventricle to a more conical shape to counter the effects of dilation, thereby improving pumping efficiency. In an exemplary embodiment, a reshaping apparatus comprises an implantable body that can be delivered to a dilated left ventricle via the patient's vasculature in a minimally-invasive procedure. When deployed inside the left ventricle, the body is adapted to apply a longitudinal (downward) force against the inner surface of the left ventricle that causes the ventricle to distend or elongate downwardly relative to the base of the heart so as to at least partially restore the conical shape of the heart. In other embodiments, one or more tension members can be secured to heart tissue inside a heart chamber or on the outside of the heart and placed in tension to reshape the geometry of the heart. | 02-02-2012 |
20120253386 | APICAL PUNCTURE ACCESS AND CLOSURE SYSTEM - A device, system, and method for providing access to, and sealing of, a body organ includes an implant device. An implant device has a main body having an internal access lumen, with a plurality of prongs extending from a distal end of the main body. The main body can include two lumens, one slidable within the other, to form a single continuous lumen with an adjustable length. The main body has an expanded configuration with an expanded diameter, and an unexpanded configuration with an unexpanded diameter. The prongs have a generally straight configuration where they extend distally of the distal end of the main body, and a bent configuration where the prongs bend around so that their tips extend proximally of the distal end of the main body. The device may include a hemostatic barrier to prevent fluid leakage therethrough when the main body is in the unexpanded configuration. | 10-04-2012 |
20130053950 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR REPLACING MITRAL VALVE - A prosthetic mitral valve assembly is disclosed. The assembly comprises a radially-expandable stent including a lower portion sized for deployment between leaflets of a native mitral valve and an upper portion having a flared end. The upper portion is sized for deployment within the annulus of the mitral valve and the flared end is configured to extend above the annulus. The stent is formed with a substantially D-shape cross-section for conforming to the native mitral valve. The D-shape cross-section includes a substantially straight portion for extending along an anterior side of the native mitral valve and a substantially curved portion for extending along a posterior side of the native mitral valve. The assembly further includes a valve portion formed of pericardial tissue and mounted within an interior portion of the stent for occluding blood flow in one direction. | 02-28-2013 |
20130090726 | RETAINING MECHANISMS FOR PROSTHETIC VALVES - A method of treating a deficient mitral valve without open heart surgery is disclosed. A support band is advanced from a delivery catheter and positioned around native leaflets of the deficient mitral valve. The support band is preferably formed of a shape memory material and is configured to assume a curved shape upon advancement from the delivery catheter. While the support band is positioned around the native leaflets of the mitral valve, an expandable prosthetic heart valve is delivered through an apex of the left ventricle and into the mitral valve. The expandable prosthetic heart valve is then expanded within the mitral valve, thereby causing one or more of the native leaflets of the mitral valve to be frictionally secured between the support band and the prosthetic heart valve. | 04-11-2013 |
20130268066 | TRANSCATHETER HEART VALVE WITH MICRO-ANCHORS - Methods and devices for treating defective heart valves are disclosed herein. In one exemplary embodiment, a transcatheter heart valve includes an expandable shape memory stent and a valve member supported by the stent. A plurality of micro-anchors can be disposed along an outer surface of the stent for engaging native tissue. The transcatheter heart valve can be configured to be advanced into a dilated valve annulus via a balloon catheter. The balloon can be inflated to expand the transcatheter heart valve from a collapsed diameter to an over-expanded diameter such that the micro-anchors engage tissue along the surrounding valve annulus. After engaging the tissue, the balloon can be deflated and the shape memory stent can retract or recoil toward its predetermined recoil diameter. As the stent recoils, the surrounding tissue is pulled inward by the stent such that the diameter of the valve annulus is reduced. | 10-10-2013 |
20130317598 | RAPID DEPLOYMENT PROSTHETIC HEART VALVES - A heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The prosthetic valve comprises a support structure that is deployed at a treatment site. The prosthetic valve further comprises a valve member configured to be quickly connected to the support structure. The support structure may take the form of a stent that is expanded at the site of a native valve. If desired, the native leaflets may remain and the stent may be used to hold the native valve open. In this case, the stent may be balloon expandable and configured to resist the powerful recoil force of the native leaflets. The support structure is provided with a coupling means for attachment to the valve member, thereby fixing the position of the valve member in the body. The valve member may be expandable or a non-expandable type. | 11-28-2013 |
20130331930 | SYSTEMS FOR IMPLANTING ANNULOPLASTY RINGS WITH MICROANCHORS - Disclosed systems for implanting annuloplasty rings and other prosthetic devices can comprise a plurality of microanchors, sutures threaded through the microanchors, the sutures passing through the prosthetic device, individual microanchor guides, such as tubes or spears, for each microanchor that contain the microanchors during delivery and allow for positioning and deployment of the microanchors into annular tissue. The systems can also comprise a bracket that is temporarily coupled to the prosthetic device, holds the plurality of microanchor guides in position relative to one another and relative to the prosthetic device, and/or guides the sutures passing through the prosthetic device. The prosthetic device can include suture locking mechanisms to secure the prosthetic device to the sutures and to the implanted microanchors after the deployment devices have been removed. | 12-12-2013 |
20130338763 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR REDUCING CARDIAC VALVE REGURGITATION - The present invention relates to devices and methods for improving the function of a defective heart valve, and particularly for reducing regurgitation through an atrioventricular heart valveāi.e., the mitral valve and the tricuspid valve. For a tricuspid repair, the device includes an anchor deployed in the tissue of the right ventricle, in an orifice opening to the right atrium, or anchored to the tricuspid valve. A flexible anchor rail connects to the anchor and a coaptation element on a catheter rides over the anchor rail. The catheter attaches to the proximal end of the coaptation element, and a locking mechanism fixes the position of the coaptation element relative to the anchor rail. Finally, there is a proximal anchoring feature to fix the proximal end of the coaptation catheter subcutaneously adjacent the subclavian vein. The coaptation element includes an inert covering and helps reduce regurgitation through contact with the valve leaflets. | 12-19-2013 |
20140067054 | Heart Valve Sealing Devices - This disclosure pertains generally to prosthetic devices and related methods for helping to seal native heart valves and prevent or reduce regurgitation therethrough, as well as devices and related methods for implanting such prosthetic devices. In some cases, a spacer having a single anchor can be implanted within a native heart valve. In some cases, a spacer having dual anchors can be implanted within a native heart valve. In some cases, devices can be used to extend the effective length of a native heart valve leaflet. | 03-06-2014 |
20140088694 | TWO-PART PROSTHETIC VALVE SYSTEM - A prosthetic valve system for replacing a native aortic valve exhibiting regurgitation comprises a support structure and a transcatheter heart valve (THV) that is separate from the support structure. The support structure is radially collapsible and expandable, and deployable on an outflow side of the native aortic valve, circumscribing the native leaflets of the aortic valve. The THV is radially collapsible and expandable, and deployable in an annulus of the native aortic valve to frictionally engage the native leaflets between an interior surface of the support structure and the THY. | 03-27-2014 |
20140324160 | LOW-PROFILE HEART VALVE AND DELIVERY SYSTEM - Disclosed replacement heart valves can be designed to be delivered to a native valve site while crimped on a delivery catheter. The crimped profile of the replacement valve can be minimized by, for example, separating a frame or stent structure from a leaflet structure, along the axial direction. Disclosed replacement valves can be transitioned from a delivery configuration, in which the crimped profile can be minimized, to an operating configuration. The replacement valve can be fully assembled in both the delivery and operating configurations. In some embodiments, the leaflets can be positioned outside of the stent in the delivery configuration, and positioned inside of the stent lumen in the operating configuration. Disclosed replacement valves can include a flexible sleeve coupling the leaflets to the stent and facilitating the transition to the operating configuration. Methods of implanting said replacement valves are also disclosed. | 10-30-2014 |
20140336702 | EXPANDABLE CLIP FOR TISSUE REPAIR - An apparatus, system, and method for repairing openings such as septal defects includes advancing a catheter to the site of the defect, grasping opposing edges of the defect, passing one or more suture lines through the opposing edges, tightening the suture lines, and deploying and expanding a fastener to secure the suture lines and close the defect. The fastener can include tissue-growth-inducing materials to encourage tissue growth onto or into the fastener and/or suture. The fastener includes a locking clip portion and a plug portion, which may be an expandable portion and/or tissue-growth-inducing portion. | 11-13-2014 |
20150045878 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RESHAPING A VENTRICLE - Methods are provided for reshaping the left ventricle to a more conical shape to counter the effects of dilation, thereby improving pumping efficiency. In an exemplary embodiment, a reshaping apparatus comprises an implantable body that can be delivered to a dilated left ventricle via the patient's vasculature in a minimally-invasive procedure. When deployed inside the left ventricle, the implantable body applies a longitudinal (downward) force against the inner surface of the left ventricle, thereby causing the left ventricle to distend or elongate downwardly. The implantable body preferably includes an anchor which is deployed adjacent the mitral valve for maintaining the longitudinal force against the inner surface of the left ventricle. | 02-12-2015 |