US6159240A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rigid annuloplasty device that becomes compliant after implantation
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
•
Filing: 1998-08-31
•
Granted: 2000-12-12
•
Expires: 2018-08-31
Abstract
Abstract A band-shaped annuloplasty device (e.g., C- or D-shaped ring) that is relatively rigid during handling and implantation and becomes relatively complaint after implantation. Preferably, the device includes a core material that softens after implantation.
Inventors
- 👤 Randall V. Sparer
- 👤 Darrel F. Untereker
- 👤 Elizabeth A. Ebner
- 👤 Thomas P. Grailer
- 👤 Brett R. Vegoe
- 👤 Hong S. Shim
- 👤 Carlos M. G. Duran
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:02
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2442; A61F2/2445; A61F2/2448; A61L; A61L31/00; A61L31/04; A61L31/048; A61L31/06; A61L31/12; A61L31/14; C; C08; C08L; C08L29/00; C08L29/02; C08L29/04; C08L31/00; C08L31/02; C08L31/04; C08L39/00; C08L39/04; C08L39/06; C08L83/00; C08L83/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
An annuloplasty device for implantation into a heart of a patient, comprising a band-shaped annuloplasty member having an initial modulus of elasticity of about 1 GPa or more, and a final modulus of elasticity of about 100 MPa or less after immersion in a biological environment, wherein the band-shaped member comprises a non-degradable structural component and a flexibilizing component differing from the structural component, and wherein the flexibilizing component is located within the structural component, wherein the band-shaped member has a final modulus of elasticity of about 100 MPa or less after immersion in a biological environment for no more than about 7 days.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
An annuloplasty device for implantation into a heart of a patient, comprising a band-shaped annuloplasty member having an initial modulus of elasticity of about 1 GPa or more, and a final modulus of elasticity of about 100 MPa or less after immersion in a biological environment, wherein the band-shaped member comprises a non-degradable structural component and a flexibilizing component differing from the structural component, and wherein the flexibilizing component is located within the structural component, wherein the band-shaped member has a final modulus of elasticity of about 100 MPa or less after immersion in a biological environment for no more than about 7 days.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the flexibilizing component is a core flexibilizing component and the structural component completely envelopes the core flexibilizing component.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 2, wherein the core flexibilizing component comprises poly(vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate) or poly(vinyl pyrrolidone).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 2, wherein the core flexibilizing component is in the form of a tube or rod.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
103 words
An annuloplasty device for implantation into a heart of a patient, comprising a band-shaped member having an initial modulus of elasticity of about 1 GPa or more, and a final modulus of elasticity of about 100 MPa or less after immersion in a biological environment, wherein the band-shaped member comprises a non-degradable structural component and a flexibilizing component differing from the structural component, and wherein the flexibilizing component is located within the structural component, wherein the band-shaped member has a final modulus of elasticity of about 100 MPa or less after immersion in a biological environment for no more than about 3 days.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
103 words
An annuloplasty device for implantation into a heart of a patient, comprising a band-shaped member having an initial modulus of elasticity of about 1 GPa or more, and a final modulus of elasticity of about 100 MPa or less after immersion in a biological environment, wherein the band-shaped member comprises a non-degradable structural component and a flexibilizing component differing from the structural component, and wherein the flexibilizing component is located within the structural component, wherein the band-shaped member has a final modulus of elasticity of about 100 MPa or less after immersion in a biological environment for no more than about 3 days.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
92 words
An annuloplasty device for implantation into a heart of a patient, comprising a band-shaped annuloplasty member having an initial modulus of elasticity of about 1 GPa or more, and a final modulus of elasticity of about 100 MPa or less after immersion in a biological environment, wherein the band-shaped member comprises a non-degradable structural component and a flexibilizing component differing from the structural component, and wherein the structural component has an external surface and the flexibilizing component is coated on at least a portion of the external surface of the structural component.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
92 words
An annuloplasty device for implantation into a heart of a patient, comprising a band-shaped annuloplasty member having an initial modulus of elasticity of about 1 GPa or more, and a final modulus of elasticity of about 100 MPa or less after immersion in a biological environment, wherein the band-shaped member comprises a non-degradable structural component and a flexibilizing component differing from the structural component, and wherein the structural component has an external surface and the flexibilizing component is coated on at least a portion of the external surface of the structural component.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 6, wherein the flexibilizing component is coated on the entire external surface of the structural component.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 6, wherein the band-shaped member has a final modulus of elasticity of about 100 MPa or less after immersion in a biological environment for no more than about 7 days.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 6, wherein the band-shaped member has a final modulus of elasticity of about 100 MPa or less after immersion in a biological environment for no more than about 3 days.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 1 or claim 6, wherein the band-shaped member is substantially continuous.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1 or claim 6, wherein the band-shaped member is in the form of a closed ring.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1 or claim 6, wherein the band-shaped member is in the form of an open ring.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 1 or claim 6, wherein the flexibilizing component changes modulus in a biological environment as a result of dissolution, biodegradation, plasticization, or phase transition.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1 or claim 6, further comprising a pharmaceutically active agent.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1 or claim 6, wherein the biological environment comprises the body of a human patient.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
76 words
An annuloplasty device for implantation into a heart of a patient, comprising a band-shaped annuloplasty member having an initial modulus of elasticity of about 1 GPa or more, and a final modulus of elasticity of about 100 MPa or less after immersion in a biological environment for no more than about 7 days, wherein the band-shaped member comprises a non-degradable structural component and a flexibilizing component differing from the structural component and comprising poly(vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
76 words
An annuloplasty device for implantation into a heart of a patient, comprising a band-shaped annuloplasty member having an initial modulus of elasticity of about 1 GPa or more, and a final modulus of elasticity of about 100 MPa or less after immersion in a biological environment for no more than about 7 days, wherein the band-shaped member comprises a non-degradable structural component and a flexibilizing component differing from the structural component and comprising poly(vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate).
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 16, wherein the structural component completely envelopes the flexibilizing component.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 16, wherein the band-shaped member has a final modulus of elasticity of about 100 MPa or less after immersion in a biological environment for no more than about 3 days.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 16, wherein the poly(vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate) has a molecular weight of about 15,000 to about 80,000.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 16, wherein the poly(vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate) is about 85% to about 90% hydrolyzed.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
77 words
An annuloplasty device for implantation into a heart of a patient, comprising a band-shaped member having an initial modulus of elasticity of about 1 GPa or more, and a final modulus of elasticity of about 100 MPa or less after immersion in a biological environment for no more than about 7 days; wherein the band shaped member comprises a first outer non-degradable material surrounding a second, differing core material that softens after immersion in the biological environment.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
77 words
An annuloplasty device for implantation into a heart of a patient, comprising a band-shaped member having an initial modulus of elasticity of about 1 GPa or more, and a final modulus of elasticity of about 100 MPa or less after immersion in a biological environment for no more than about 7 days; wherein the band shaped member comprises a first outer non-degradable material surrounding a second, differing core material that softens after immersion in the biological environment.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 21, wherein the band-shaped member comprises a core comprising a flexibilizing component surrounded by an outer sheath comprising a structural component.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 22, wherein the flexibilizing component comprises poly(vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate) or poly(vinyl pyrrolidone).
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 22, wherein the structural component comprises polyethylene terephthalate.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 22, further comprising an inner perforated sheath surrounding the core.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 25, wherein the inner perforated sheath comprises silicone.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
86 words
An annuloplasty device for implantation into a heart of a patient, comprising a band-shaped annuloplasty member having an initial modulus of elasticity of about 1 GPa or more, and a final modulus of elasticity of about 100 MPa or less after immersion in a biological environment for no more than about 7 days, the device further comprising non-degradable structural means for providing support and flexibilizing means, differing from the structural means, for providing the change in modulus of elasticity after the immersion in the biological environment.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
86 words
An annuloplasty device for implantation into a heart of a patient, comprising a band-shaped annuloplasty member having an initial modulus of elasticity of about 1 GPa or more, and a final modulus of elasticity of about 100 MPa or less after immersion in a biological environment for no more than about 7 days, the device further comprising non-degradable structural means for providing support and flexibilizing means, differing from the structural means, for providing the change in modulus of elasticity after the immersion in the biological environment.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 27, wherein the band-shaped member has a final modulus of elasticity of about 100 MPa or less after immersion in a biological environment for no more than about 3 days.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 27, wherein the band-shaped member is substantially continuous.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 27, wherein the flexibilizing means comprises a core component and the structural means completely envelopes the core component.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 30, wherein the core component comprises poly(vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate) or poly(vinyl pyrrolidone).
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 31, wherein the core component is in the form of a tube or rod.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 27, wherein the flexibilizing means comprises a component that changes modulus in a biological environment as a result of dissolution, biodegradation, plasticization, or phase transition.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 27, further comprising a pharmaceutically active agent.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 27, wherein the biological environment comprises the body of a human patient.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
87 words
An annuloplasty device for implantation into a heart of a patient, comprising a band-shaped annuloplasty member having an initial modulus of elasticity of about 1 GPa or more, and a final modulus of elasticity of about 100 MPa or less after immersion in a biological environment, the device comprising non-degradable structural means for providing support and flexibilizing means differing from the structural means, for providing a change in modulus of elasticity after immersion in a biological environment, wherein the flexibilizing means is impregnated in the structural means.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
87 words
An annuloplasty device for implantation into a heart of a patient, comprising a band-shaped annuloplasty member having an initial modulus of elasticity of about 1 GPa or more, and a final modulus of elasticity of about 100 MPa or less after immersion in a biological environment, the device comprising non-degradable structural means for providing support and flexibilizing means differing from the structural means, for providing a change in modulus of elasticity after immersion in a biological environment, wherein the flexibilizing means is impregnated in the structural means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
104 words
An annuloplasty device for implantation into a heart of a patient, comprising a band-shaped annuloplasty member having an initial modulus of elasticity of about 1 GPa or more, and a final modulus of elasticity of about 100 MPa or less after immersion in a biological environment, the device comprising non-degradable structural means for providing support and flexibilizing means differing from the structural means, for providing a change in modulus of elasticity after immersion in a biological environment, wherein the structural means has an external surface and the flexibilizing means is coated on at least a portion of the external surface of the structural means.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
104 words
An annuloplasty device for implantation into a heart of a patient, comprising a band-shaped annuloplasty member having an initial modulus of elasticity of about 1 GPa or more, and a final modulus of elasticity of about 100 MPa or less after immersion in a biological environment, the device comprising non-degradable structural means for providing support and flexibilizing means differing from the structural means, for providing a change in modulus of elasticity after immersion in a biological environment, wherein the structural means has an external surface and the flexibilizing means is coated on at least a portion of the external surface of the structural means.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 37, wherein the flexibilizing means is coated on the entire external surface of the structural means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5011481A
Cited
US5041130A
Cited
US5376112A
Cited
US5728152A
Cited
WO1997016135A1
Cited
WO1997046177A1
Cited
US5716397A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-12-12 | 2004-06-12 | 2004-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-12-12 | 2008-06-12 | 2008-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-12-12 | 2012-06-12 | 2012-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |