US5716397A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Annuloplasty device with removable stiffening element
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
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Filing: 1996-12-06
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Granted: 1998-02-10
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Expires: 2016-12-06
Abstract
Abstract A fully flexible annuloplasty ring is temporarily stiffened during implantation by inserting a withdrawable stiffening wire into a lumen of the ring. The annuloplasty ring has a lumen which is able to hold the stiffener prior to and during insertion. The stiffener includes a portion extending out of the lumen which can be pulled to withdraw the stiffener once the implant has been implanted.
Inventors
- 👤 David J. Myers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:53
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2442; A61F2/2445; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S623/00; Y10S623/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
An annuloplasty implant for implantation into a heart, comprising: a) a substantially annular, fully flexible implant for annuloplastic surgery, said flexible implant having a lumen formed therein; and b) a stiffening element disposed in said lumen substantially throughout the length of said implant; c) said stiffening element including a portion extending outwardly of said lumen; d) said stiffening element withdrawable such that it can be withdrawn from said lumen upon completion of said implantation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
An annuloplasty implant for implantation into a heart, comprising: a) a substantially annular, fully flexible implant for annuloplastic surgery, said flexible implant having a lumen formed therein; and b) a stiffening element disposed in said lumen substantially throughout the length of said implant; c) said stiffening element including a portion extending outwardly of said lumen; d) said stiffening element withdrawable such that it can be withdrawn from said lumen upon completion of said implantation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The implant of claim 1, in which said outwardly extending portion is at one end of said stiffening element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The implant of claim 1, in which said outwardly extending portion is located substantially centrally of said stiffening element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
The implant of claim 1, in which said flexible implant has a pair of lumens horizontally spaced from each other along said flexible implant, said stiffening element being disposed in one of said lumens, and a suturing core being disposed in another of said lumens, so as to cause said suturing core to be held horizontally spaced from said stiffening element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The implant of claim 4, further comprising indicia on the outside of said other of said lumens to visually identify the location of said lumen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The implant of claim 1, in which at least one end of said stiffening element is sufficiently rounded to prevent it from snagging the material of said flexible implant when said stiffening element is inserted into said lumen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The ring of claim 1, in which said stiffening element is polished.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The implant of claim 1, in which said stiffening element is formed from a material having the property of being flexible enough to allow withdrawal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The implant of claim 1, in which said stiffening element can be inserted into said lumen through an opening in the wall thereof, the circumference of said opening being reinforced to prevent damage to said implant when said stiffening element is inserted or withdrawn through said opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The implant of claim 1, in which said stiffening element is held to said implant by a suture which is so tied to said stiffening element that said suture is completely removed from said implant by withdrawal of said stiffening element when said suture is properly cut.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of temporarily stiffening an annuloplasty implant during implantation, comprising the steps of: a) providing a flexible annuloplasty implant having at least one lumen; b) placing into said lumen, prior to implantation, a stiffening element having a portion protruding from said implant to allow said stiffening element to be grasped from the outside of said implant; c) implanting said flexible implant by suturing said flexible implant to the tissue in which it is to be implanted; and d) withdrawing said stiffening element from said implant following said suturing step.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of temporarily stiffening an annuloplasty implant during implantation, comprising the steps of: a) providing a flexible annuloplasty implant having at least one lumen; b) placing into said lumen, prior to implantation, a stiffening element having a portion protruding from said implant to allow said stiffening element to be grasped from the outside of said implant; c) implanting said flexible implant by suturing said flexible implant to the tissue in which it is to be implanted; and d) withdrawing said stiffening element from said implant following said suturing step.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 11, in which said stiffening element is a wire, and said method comprises the further step of polishing said wire prior to placing said wire into said lumen.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 11, in which said implant has at least two lumens, said stiffener is placed into one of said lumens, and said suturing step is performed by placing sutures through the other of said lumens.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 13, in which said implant is of curved shape, and said one of said lumens is positioned on the inside of the curve.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of marking, prior to said suturing step, said implant to visually indicate the position of said other of said lumens.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-02-09 | 2001-08-11 | 2002-02-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-02-09 | 2005-08-11 | 2006-02-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-02-09 | 2009-08-11 | 2010-02-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |