US20020151961A1 — Medical system and method for remodeling an extra…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 119 words

1 . A medical apparatus for remodeling a mitral valve annulus adjacent to the coronary sinus, comprising: an elongate body, having a proximal end region and a distal end region, each of the proximal and distal end regions dimensioned to reside completely within the vascular system, the elongate body being movable from a first configuration for transluminal delivery to at least a portion of the coronary sinus to a second configuration for remodeling the mitral valve annulus proximate the coronary sinus; and a forming element attached to the elongate body for manipulating the elongate body from the first transluminal configuration to the second remodeling configuration; wherein the elongate body comprises a tube having a plurality of transverse slots therein.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 119 words

1 . A medical apparatus for remodeling a mitral valve annulus adjacent to the coronary sinus, comprising: an elongate body, having a proximal end region and a distal end region, each of the proximal and distal end regions dimensioned to reside completely within the vascular system, the elongate body being movable from a first configuration for transluminal delivery to at least a portion of the coronary sinus to a second configuration for remodeling the mitral valve annulus proximate the coronary sinus; and a forming element attached to the elongate body for manipulating the elongate body from the first transluminal configuration to the second remodeling configuration; wherein the elongate body comprises a tube having a plurality of transverse slots therein.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 29 words

2 . A medical apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the elongate body forms an arc when in the remodeling configuration, by changing the shape of the slots.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 36 words

3 . A medical apparatus as in claim 2 , wherein a best fit constant radius curve corresponding to the arc has a radius within the range of from about 10 mm to about 20 mm.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 22 words

4 . A medical apparatus as in claim 1 , further comprising a lock for retaining the body in the second configuration.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 17 words

5 . A medical apparatus as in claim 4 , wherein the lock comprises an interference fit.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 17 words

6 . A medical apparatus as in claim 4 , wherein the lock comprises a compression fit.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 16 words

7 . A medical apparatus as in claim 4 , wherein the lock comprises a ratchet.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 30 words

8 . A medical apparatus as in claim 4 , wherein the lock comprises an engagement surface, which is movable between a first, disengaged configuration and a second, engaged configuration.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 19 words

9 . A medical apparatus as in claim 4 , wherein the lock is biased in a locked direction.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 19 words

10 . A medical apparatus as in claim 4 , wherein the lock is biased in an unlocked direction.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 17 words

11 . A medical apparatus as in claim 1 , further comprising a coating on the body.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 32 words

12 . A medical apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is movable from the implantation configuration to the remodeling configuration in response to proximal retraction of the forming element.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 32 words

13 . A medical apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is movable from the implantation configuration to the remodeling configuration in response to distal advancement of the forming element.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 25 words

14 . A medical apparatus as in claim 1 , further comprising an anchor for retaining the apparatus at a deployment site within a vessel.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 20 words

15 . A medical apparatus as in claim 14 , wherein the anchor comprises a distal extension of the apparatus.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 26 words

16 . A medical apparatus as in claim 14 , wherein the anchor comprises a friction enhancing surface structure for engaging the wall of the vessel.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 25 words

17 . A medical apparatus as in claim 14 , wherein the anchor comprises at least one barb for piercing the wall of the vessel.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 24 words

18 . A medical apparatus as in claim 1 , wherein the apparatus has an axial length of no more than about 10 cm.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 26 words

19 . A medical apparatus as in claim 18 , wherein the maximum cross sectional dimension through the apparatus is no more than about 10 mm.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 128 words

20 . An implant for positioning within a patient, comprising: an elongate flexible body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, and first and second opposing sides extending along the implant body at least part way between the proximal end and the distal end, the first side having a fixed axial length, and the second side having an adjustable axial length; at least a first forming element extending through the body to a distal point of attachment to the body; and a detachable coupling on a proximal portion of the body, for removably attaching the body to a deployment catheter; wherein manipulation of the first forming element deflects at least a first portion of the body away from the longitudinal axis.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 128 words

20 . An implant for positioning within a patient, comprising: an elongate flexible body having a proximal end and a distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, and first and second opposing sides extending along the implant body at least part way between the proximal end and the distal end, the first side having a fixed axial length, and the second side having an adjustable axial length; at least a first forming element extending through the body to a distal point of attachment to the body; and a detachable coupling on a proximal portion of the body, for removably attaching the body to a deployment catheter; wherein manipulation of the first forming element deflects at least a first portion of the body away from the longitudinal axis.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 16 words

21 . An implant as in claim 20 , wherein the body comprises a tubular wall.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 20 words

22 . An implant as in claim 21 , wherein the tubular wall is substantially noncompressible along the first side.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 29 words

23 . An implant as in claim 22 , comprising a plurality of voids in the wall along the second side, thereby permitting axial shortening of the second side.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 27 words

24 . An implant as in claim 23 wherein at least some of the voids comprise slots through the wall, extending generally transverse to the longitudinal axis.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 21 words

25 . An implant as in claim 24 comprising at least 10 transverse slots in the wall of the second side.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 21 words

26 . An implant as in claim 24 comprising at least 20 transverse slots in the wall of the second side.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 19 words

27 . An implant as in claim 20 , wherein the first forming element comprises an axially movable element.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 18 words

28 . An implant as in claim 20 , wherein the first forming element comprises a pull wire.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 17 words

29 . An implant as in claim 20 , further comprising at least a second forming element.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 37 words

30 . An implant as in claim 29 , wherein manipulation of the first forming element introduces a first curve in the body, and manipulation of the second forming element introduces a second curve in the body.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 27 words

31 . An implant as in claim 20 , wherein distal movement of the forming element causes axial elongation of the second side thereby bending the implant.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 27 words

32 . An implant as in claim 20 , wherein proximal movement of the forming element causes axial compression of the second side thereby bending the implant.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 150 words

33 . A deflectable implant, comprising: an elongate flexible housing having proximal and distal ends and a central lumen extending therebetween, the housing being flexible in a lateral direction; an axially extending column strength support in the implant; at least a first deflection wire having proximal and distal ends extending along the housing, said wire being secured at a first point of attachment with respect to a distal portion of the column strength support; and a lock at the proximal end of the housing for engaging the deflection wire to enable said deflection wire to retain a curve in the housing; wherein the axis of at least a portion of the housing is displaced laterally in response to axial displacement of the deflection wire, thereby causing the distal end of said housing to bend out of the line of the housing longitudinal axis to form a curve in the housing.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 150 words

33 . A deflectable implant, comprising: an elongate flexible housing having proximal and distal ends and a central lumen extending therebetween, the housing being flexible in a lateral direction; an axially extending column strength support in the implant; at least a first deflection wire having proximal and distal ends extending along the housing, said wire being secured at a first point of attachment with respect to a distal portion of the column strength support; and a lock at the proximal end of the housing for engaging the deflection wire to enable said deflection wire to retain a curve in the housing; wherein the axis of at least a portion of the housing is displaced laterally in response to axial displacement of the deflection wire, thereby causing the distal end of said housing to bend out of the line of the housing longitudinal axis to form a curve in the housing.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 29 words

34 . A deflectable implant as in claim 33 , wherein the support extends distally to a point within about 2 cm of the distal end of the housing.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 22 words

35 . A deflectable implant as in claim 33 , wherein the support comprises a portion of the wall of the housing.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 21 words

36 . A deflectable implant as in claim 33 , wherein the support is distinct from the wall of the housing.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 33 words

37 . A deflectable implant as in claim 33 , comprising a second deflection wire, secured at a second point of attachment in between the first point of attachment and the proximal end.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 64 words

38 . A multizone vascular implant, comprising: a tubular body; a plurality of transverse voids on the tubular body to permit flexing in at least one plane; at least a first, proximal zone and a second, distal zone on the body; a first control wire for imparting curvature in the first zone; and a second control wire for imparting curvature in the second zone.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 64 words

38 . A multizone vascular implant, comprising: a tubular body; a plurality of transverse voids on the tubular body to permit flexing in at least one plane; at least a first, proximal zone and a second, distal zone on the body; a first control wire for imparting curvature in the first zone; and a second control wire for imparting curvature in the second zone.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 24 words

39 . A multizone vascular implant as in claim 38 , further comprising a third control wire for imparting curvature in a third zone.

Medical system and method for remodeling an extravascular tissue structure

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag