Patent US6183512B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6183512B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Flexible annuloplasty system
Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corp
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Filing: 1999-04-16
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Granted: 2001-02-06
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Expires: 2019-04-16
Abstract
Abstract A design and method of implantation is disclosed for a flexible annuloplasty system for repairing a valve in a patient's heart. The annuloplasty system includes an elongate, flexible band with a needle attached to one end of the band and a fit adjuster attached to the other end of the band. The band is made of silicone and includes a plurality of fibers that are configured to prevent axial elongation of the band. In addition, the plurality of fibers ensure that a suture will catch on the fibers and prevent the suture from tearing out of the band.
Inventors
- 👤 Myron Howanec, Jr.
- 👤 Michael John Scott
- 👤 Brian Eugene Brutcher
- 👤 Jerry L. Jackman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:35
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2442; A61F2/2451; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S623/00; Y10S623/902; Y10S623/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
56 words
An annuloplasty system for repairing a valve in a patient's heart comprising: a needle having a distal end and a proximal end; a band having a distal end and a proximal end, said proximal end attached to said distal end of said needle; and at least one reinforcing filament extending along a length of said band.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
56 words
An annuloplasty system for repairing a valve in a patient's heart comprising: a needle having a distal end and a proximal end; a band having a distal end and a proximal end, said proximal end attached to said distal end of said needle; and at least one reinforcing filament extending along a length of said band.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 1 , wherein said band includes a central core and wherein said at least one reinforcing filament extends along the length of said band in a region near said central core.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 1 , wherein a matrix element surrounds said at least one reinforcing filament.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 1 , wherein said band includes four reinforcing filaments.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one reinforcing filament is made of long-term implant compatible material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 5 , wherein said long-term implant compatible material is polyester.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one reinforcing filament is substantially non-distensible.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 3 , wherein said matrix element is a silicone coating.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of fibers extending along a length of said band.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 9 , wherein said band includes a central core and wherein said plurality of fibers surrounds said central core.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 9 , wherein said plurality of fibers is a tubular textile.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 9 , wherein said plurality of fibers is made of polyester.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 9 , wherein said band includes an overcoat layer deposited over said plurality of fibers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 13 , wherein said overcoat layer is a silicone overcoat.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 1 , wherein said band includes a component detectable by non-invasive diagnostic detection devices.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 15 , wherein said component attenuates x-ray radiation to a greater degree than tissue.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 16 , wherein said component is barium sulfate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 1 , wherein said needle is arc-shaped.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 1 , further comprising a fit adjuster.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 19 , wherein said fit adjuster includes a through-hole sized to receive a distal end of said band.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 20 , wherein said through-hole is sized to provide sufficient friction to prevent said needle and said band from slipping out of said through-hole during a surgical procedure.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 21 , wherein appropriate force is exerted on said band to maintain optimal annular shape until said band is sutured into position.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
An annuloplasty system for repairing a valve annulus in a patient's heart comprising: a band; a needle attached to one end of said band; said band including a plurality of fibers interlaced along a length of said band.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
An annuloplasty system for repairing a valve annulus in a patient's heart comprising: a band; a needle attached to one end of said band; said band including a plurality of fibers interlaced along a length of said band.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 23 , wherein said plurality of fibers are sized and positioned to retain a suture inserted through said band during installation of said band in said valve annulus.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 23 , wherein said plurality of fibers is a braid.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 23 , wherein said plurality of fibers is a weave.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 23 , wherein said plurality of fibers is a knit.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 23 , wherein said plurality of fibers is a helical wrap.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 23 , wherein said band has a central core.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 29 , wherein said plurality of fibers surround a central core.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 30 , wherein said central core has at least one reinforcing filament.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 31 , wherein said central core has four reinforcing filaments.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 32 , wherein said reinforcing filaments have a silicone overlayer.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
13 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 31 , wherein said reinforcing filament is non-distensible.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
12 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 23 , further comprising a fit adjuster.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 35 , wherein said fit adjuster includes a through-hole sized to receive a distal end of said band.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
33 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 36 , wherein said through-hole is sized to provide sufficient friction to prevent said needle and said band from slipping out of said through-hole during a surgical procedure.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
24 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 37 , wherein said fit adjuster is cube-shaped and said through-hole runs parallel to an axis of said band.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 38 , wherein a portion of said through-hole and a proximal end of said band intersect.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
25 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 37 , wherein said fit adjuster is a six-sided polyhedron and said through-hole and said band share a same axis.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
28 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 40 , wherein said through-hole is curve-shaped and has an entrance port and an exit port located on adjacent sides of said polyhedron.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
14 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 37 , wherein said fit adjuster is cylindrically shaped.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
The annuloplasty system of claim 42 , wherein said fit adjuster has a slight bend near a central area of said fit adjuster.
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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) | 2004-02-06 | 2004-08-07 | 2005-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-02-06 | 2008-08-07 | 2009-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-02-06 | 2012-08-07 | 2013-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |