US20050049679A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for improving mitral valve function
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 2003-08-15
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2023-08-15
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation. The apparatus is inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being adapted to straighten the natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation and reduce mitral regurgitation.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel Taylor
- 👤 John Liddicoat
- 👤 Richard Streeter
- 👤 Steven Woolfson
- 👤 William Cohn
- 👤 Todd Davenport
- 👤 Thomas Kordis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:45
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2442; A61F2/2451
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
1 . A method for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising: inserting apparatus into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being adapted to straighten the natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
70 words
1 . A method for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising: inserting apparatus into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being adapted to straighten the natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
2 . A method for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising: inserting apparatus into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being adapted to move at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve anteriorly, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
2 . A method for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising: inserting apparatus into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being adapted to move at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve anteriorly, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
72 words
3 . A method for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising: inserting apparatus into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being adapted to reduce the degree of natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
3 . A method for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising: inserting apparatus into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being adapted to reduce the degree of natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
4 . A method for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising: inserting apparatus into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being adapted to increase the natural radius of curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
72 words
4 . A method for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising: inserting apparatus into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being adapted to increase the natural radius of curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
113 words
5 . A method for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising: inserting apparatus into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus having a distal end, a proximal end and an intermediate portion, the apparatus being configured so that when the apparatus is positioned in the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the distal and proximal ends will apply a posteriorly-directed force to the walls of the coronary sinus and the intermediate portion will apply an anteriorly-directed force to the walls of the coronary sinus, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
113 words
5 . A method for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising: inserting apparatus into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus having a distal end, a proximal end and an intermediate portion, the apparatus being configured so that when the apparatus is positioned in the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the distal and proximal ends will apply a posteriorly-directed force to the walls of the coronary sinus and the intermediate portion will apply an anteriorly-directed force to the walls of the coronary sinus, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
119 words
6 . A method for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising: inserting a substantially straight elongated body into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the length of the substantially straight elongated body being sized relative to the natural curvature of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve so that when the substantially straight elongated body is positioned in the coronary sinus, it will cause at least a portion of the coronary sinus to assume a substantially straight configuration adjacent to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to increase the radius of curvature of the mitral annulus and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
119 words
6 . A method for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising: inserting a substantially straight elongated body into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the length of the substantially straight elongated body being sized relative to the natural curvature of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve so that when the substantially straight elongated body is positioned in the coronary sinus, it will cause at least a portion of the coronary sinus to assume a substantially straight configuration adjacent to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to increase the radius of curvature of the mitral annulus and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
111 words
7 . A method for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising: inserting a substantially rigid elongated body into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the substantially rigid elongated body being configured relative to the natural curvature of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve so that when the substantially rigid elongated body is positioned in the coronary sinus, it will cause at least a portion of the coronary sinus to assume a different configuration adjacent to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
111 words
7 . A method for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising: inserting a substantially rigid elongated body into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the substantially rigid elongated body being configured relative to the natural curvature of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve so that when the substantially rigid elongated body is positioned in the coronary sinus, it will cause at least a portion of the coronary sinus to assume a different configuration adjacent to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
122 words
8 . A method for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising: inserting a straight, substantially rigid elongated body into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the length of the straight, substantially rigid elongated body being sized relative to the natural curvature of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve so that when the straight, substantially rigid elongated body is positioned in the coronary sinus, it will cause at least a portion of the coronary sinus to assume a substantially straight configuration adjacent to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to increase the radius of curvature of the mitral annulus and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
122 words
8 . A method for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising: inserting a straight, substantially rigid elongated body into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the length of the straight, substantially rigid elongated body being sized relative to the natural curvature of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve so that when the straight, substantially rigid elongated body is positioned in the coronary sinus, it will cause at least a portion of the coronary sinus to assume a substantially straight configuration adjacent to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to increase the radius of curvature of the mitral annulus and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
9 . A method according to claim 8 wherein the straight, substantially rigid elongated body is inserted into the coronary sinus percutaneously.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
55 words
10 . A method according to claim 9 wherein the straight, substantially rigid elongated body is inserted into the coronary sinus by introducing the straight, substantially rigid elongated body into the patient's jugular vein, passing it down the superior vena cava, passing it through the right atrium and then passing it into the coronary sinus.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
56 words
11 . A method according to claim 9 wherein the straight, substantially rigid elongated body is inserted into the coronary sinus by introducing the straight, substantially rigid elongated body into the patient's left subclavian vein, passing it down the superior vena cava, passing it through the right atrium and then passing it into the coronary sinus.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
12 . A method according to claim 8 wherein the straight, substantially rigid elongated body is inserted into the coronary sinus through an incision in the patient's heart.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
13 . A method according to claim 8 wherein the straight, substantially rigid elongated body is guided into position by passing it through a pre-positioned delivery catheter.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
55 words
14 . A method according to claim 13 wherein the straight, substantially rigid elongated body is guided into position by inserting a guidewire into the coronary sinus, passing the delivery catheter over the guidewire and into the coronary sinus, removing the guidewire, and then passing the straight, substantially rigid elongated body down the delivery catheter.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
15 . A method according to claim 8 wherein the straight, substantially rigid elongated body is guided into position by passing it over a pre-positioned guidewire.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
16 . A method according to claim 15 wherein the straight, substantially rigid elongated body is guided into position by inserting a guidewire into the coronary sinus and then passing the straight, substantially rigid elongated body down the guidewire.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
17 . A method according to claim 8 further comprising the subsequent step of removing the straight, substantially rigid elongated body from the coronary sinus.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
18 . A method according to claim 8 wherein the straight, substantially rigid elongated body is inserted under visualization.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
32 words
19 . A method according to claim 18 wherein visualization is achieved by using a procedure chosen from the group consisting of fluoroscopy, echocardiography, intravascular ultrasound, angioscopy and real-time magnetic resonance imaging.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
20 . A method according to claim 8 including the additional step of assessing the efficacy of the procedure.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
96 words
21 . Apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising: a body having a distal end, a proximal end and an intermediate portion, the body being configured so that when the body is positioned in the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the distal and proximal ends will apply a posteriorly-directed force to the walls of the coronary sinus, and the intermediate portion will apply an anteriorly-directed force to the walls of the coronary sinus, whereby to move the posterior annulus of the mitral valve anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
96 words
21 . Apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising: a body having a distal end, a proximal end and an intermediate portion, the body being configured so that when the body is positioned in the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the distal and proximal ends will apply a posteriorly-directed force to the walls of the coronary sinus, and the intermediate portion will apply an anteriorly-directed force to the walls of the coronary sinus, whereby to move the posterior annulus of the mitral valve anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
124 words
22 . Apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising: a substantially straight elongated body adapted to be inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the length of the substantially straight elongated body being sized relative to the natural curvature of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve so that when the substantially straight elongated body is positioned in the coronary sinus, it will cause at least a portion of the coronary sinus to assume a substantially straight configuration adjacent to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to increase the radius of curvature of the mitral annulus, moving it anteriorly, and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
124 words
22 . Apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising: a substantially straight elongated body adapted to be inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the length of the substantially straight elongated body being sized relative to the natural curvature of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve so that when the substantially straight elongated body is positioned in the coronary sinus, it will cause at least a portion of the coronary sinus to assume a substantially straight configuration adjacent to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to increase the radius of curvature of the mitral annulus, moving it anteriorly, and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
116 words
23 . Apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising: a substantially rigid elongated body adapted to be inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the length of the substantially rigid elongated body being sized relative to the natural curvature of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve so that when the substantially rigid elongated body is positioned in the coronary sinus, it will cause at least a portion of the coronary sinus to assume a different configuration adjacent to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
116 words
23 . Apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising: a substantially rigid elongated body adapted to be inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the length of the substantially rigid elongated body being sized relative to the natural curvature of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve so that when the substantially rigid elongated body is positioned in the coronary sinus, it will cause at least a portion of the coronary sinus to assume a different configuration adjacent to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
127 words
24 . Apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising: a straight, substantially rigid elongated body adapted to be inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the length of the straight, substantially rigid elongated body being sized relative to the natural curvature of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve so that when the straight, substantially rigid elongated body is positioned in the coronary sinus, it will cause at least a portion of the coronary sinus to assume a substantially straight configuration adjacent to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to increase the radius of curvature of the mitral annulus, moving it anteriorly, and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
127 words
24 . Apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising: a straight, substantially rigid elongated body adapted to be inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the length of the straight, substantially rigid elongated body being sized relative to the natural curvature of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve so that when the straight, substantially rigid elongated body is positioned in the coronary sinus, it will cause at least a portion of the coronary sinus to assume a substantially straight configuration adjacent to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to increase the radius of curvature of the mitral annulus, moving it anteriorly, and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
60 words
25 . Apparatus according to claim 24 further comprising a delivery catheter adapted to be positioned within the coronary sinus of the patient, said flexible deliver catheter being formed out of a flexible material so that it will substantially assume the configuration of the coronary sinus, said delivery catheter being adapted to receive said straight, substantially rigid elongated body therein.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
54 words
26 . Apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said straight, substantially rigid elongated body is mounted to a rod, wherein said rod is formed out of a flexible material so that said rod will assume the configuration of the coronary sinus, and further wherein said rod is sized to fit within said delivery catheter.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
27 . Apparatus according to claim 24 further comprising a removable guidewire for positioning said delivery catheter in the coronary sinus.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
56 words
28 . Apparatus according to claim 24 further comprising a guidewire adapted to be positioned within the coronary sinus, said guidewire being formed out of a flexible material so that it will substantially assume the configuration of the coronary sinus, and further wherein the straight, substantially rigid elongated body is cannulated for riding along said guidewire.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
50 words
29 . Apparatus according to claim 24 wherein at least one of the distal and proximal ends of said straight, substantially rigid elongated body includes a flexible portion for relieving the stress imposed on the coronary sinus when said straight, substantially rigid elongated body is disposed within the coronary sinus.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
48 words
30 . Apparatus according to claim 24 wherein at least one of the distal and proximal ends of said straight, substantially rigid elongated body is tapered for relieving the stress imposed on the coronary sinus when said straight, substantially rigid elongated body is disposed within the coronary sinus.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
34 words
31 . Apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said straight, substantially rigid elongated body has a length no longer than the segment of the coronary sinus located between the coronary ostium and the AIV.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
40 words
32 . Apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said apparatus further comprises a support catheter for preventing said delivery catheter from diverting into the inferior vena cava when said straight, substantially rigid elongated body is passed through said delivery catheter.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
70 words
33 . A method for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising: inserting apparatus into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being adapted to invert the natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
70 words
33 . A method for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising: inserting apparatus into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being adapted to invert the natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
74 words
34 . Apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising: an elongated body adapted to be inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being adapted to invert the natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
74 words
34 . Apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising: an elongated body adapted to be inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being adapted to invert the natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
29 words
35 . A method according to claim 8 wherein said straight, substantially rigid elongated body is guided into position without the use of a guide catheter and a guidewire.
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