US6921407B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Minimally invasive annuloplasty procedure and apparatus
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
•
Filing: 2002-04-10
•
Granted: 2005-07-26
•
Expires: 2022-04-10
Abstract
Abstract Clips of a self-closing type are used in annuloplasty procedures. Each clip is generally U-shaped with two end points separated from each other when it is constrained to be in an open configuration, but tends to coil up to assume its naturally closed configuration if the constraint is removed. A plurality of such clips in open configurations penetrate the tissue around the annulus circumferentially and then the constraint keeping them in the open configuration is removed such that they pull the tissue together between their two end points and this tends to reduce the diameter of the annulus. Such clips may be deployed each in the form of a clip assembly, having at least one of its end points connected to a needle through a flexible member and a release mechanism by which the clip can be easily released. The needle is caused to penetrate the tissue at one position and to come out therefrom at another circumferentially separated positions. Alternatively, a clip delivery device may be used with a plurality of such clips loaded to a clip-holder serving to keep them in open configurations. A pusher pushes the loaded clips out of the device one at a time. Self-closing clips can be used efficiently also in ring annuloplasty and valve replacement procedures.
Inventors
- 👤 John D. Nguyen
- 👤 Arthur Hill
- 👤 Laurent Schaller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 10:06
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/064; A61B17/04; A61B17/0469; A61B17/06; A61B2017/0472; A61B17/06004; A61B2017/06009; A61B2017/06057; A61B17/08; A61B2017/081; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2442; A61F2/2445; A61F2/2466
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
An annuloplasty method comprising: providing a clip delivery device comprising a plurality of clips each having two end points which are separated from each other when the clip is in an open configuration and tending to return to a naturally closed configuration by reducing distance between said end points when in said open configuration, clip holder supporting said clips in said open configuration, an outer tube extending in a longitudinal direction and having an elongated slit at one end and a pusher for pushing a specified number of said clips at a time by causing said two end points thereof to leave said device simultaneously together, said pusher being elongated and adapted to slide in said longitudinal direction inside said outer tube and to thereby push said specified number of clips at a time through said slit; and placing said clips around an annulus by causing both of the two end points of each of said clips in said open configuration to penetrate tissue of said annulus at two circumferentially separated positions, whereby said clips reduce diameter of said annulus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
An annuloplasty method comprising: providing a clip delivery device comprising a plurality of clips each having two end points which are separated from each other when the clip is in an open configuration and tending to return to a naturally closed configuration by reducing distance between said end points when in said open configuration, clip holder supporting said clips in said open configuration, an outer tube extending in a longitudinal direction and having an elongated slit at one end and a pusher for pushing a specified number of said clips at a time by causing said two end points thereof to leave said device simultaneously together, said pusher being elongated and adapted to slide in said longitudinal direction inside said outer tube and to thereby push said specified number of clips at a time through said slit; and placing said clips around an annulus by causing both of the two end points of each of said clips in said open configuration to penetrate tissue of said annulus at two circumferentially separated positions, whereby said clips reduce diameter of said annulus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said clips are each generally U-shaped when in said open configuration, comprising a wire of a shape memory material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
133 words
A clip delivery device for annulonlasty, said device comprising: a plurality of clips each having two end points which are separated from each other when in an open configuration and tending to return to a naturally closed configuration by reducing distance between said end points when in said open configuration; a clip-holder supporting said clips in said open configuration; an outer tube extending in a longitudinal direction and having an elongated slit at one end; and a pusher for pushing a specified number of said clips at a time by causing said two end points thereof to leave said device simultaneously together, said pusher being elongated and adapted to slide in said longitudinal direction inside said outer tube and to thereby push said specified number of clips at a time through said slit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
133 words
A clip delivery device for annulonlasty, said device comprising: a plurality of clips each having two end points which are separated from each other when in an open configuration and tending to return to a naturally closed configuration by reducing distance between said end points when in said open configuration; a clip-holder supporting said clips in said open configuration; an outer tube extending in a longitudinal direction and having an elongated slit at one end; and a pusher for pushing a specified number of said clips at a time by causing said two end points thereof to leave said device simultaneously together, said pusher being elongated and adapted to slide in said longitudinal direction inside said outer tube and to thereby push said specified number of clips at a time through said slit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
80 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said clip-holder comprises: a pair of cylindrical cartridges coaxially disposed with a gap therebetween and adjacent said slit, said clips being mounted in said open configuration to said cartridges, said gap being wide enough to allow only said specified number of said clips to pass therethrough at a time to be pushed out of said device together; and a pair of springs for pushing said clips over and along said cartridges towards said gap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said clips are each generally U-shaped when in said open configuration, comprising a wire of a shape memory material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
170 words
A mitral valve repair method comprising: providing a clip delivery device comprising a plurality of clips each having two end points which are separated from each other when in an open configuration and tending to return to a naturally closed configuration by reducing distance between said end points when in said open configuration, a clip holder supporting said clips in said open configuration, an outer tube extending in a longitudinal direction and having an elongated slit at one end and a pusher for pushing a specified number of said clips at a time by causing said two end points thereof to leave said device simultaneously together, said pusher being elongated and adapted to slide in said longitudinal direction inside said outer tube and to thereby push said specified number of clips at a time through said slit; placing an annuloplasty ring about an annulus; and attaching said ring around said annulus by causing said clips to pass through said ring and annulus and moving the clips toward said closed configuration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
170 words
A mitral valve repair method comprising: providing a clip delivery device comprising a plurality of clips each having two end points which are separated from each other when in an open configuration and tending to return to a naturally closed configuration by reducing distance between said end points when in said open configuration, a clip holder supporting said clips in said open configuration, an outer tube extending in a longitudinal direction and having an elongated slit at one end and a pusher for pushing a specified number of said clips at a time by causing said two end points thereof to leave said device simultaneously together, said pusher being elongated and adapted to slide in said longitudinal direction inside said outer tube and to thereby push said specified number of clips at a time through said slit; placing an annuloplasty ring about an annulus; and attaching said ring around said annulus by causing said clips to pass through said ring and annulus and moving the clips toward said closed configuration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The repair method of claim 6 wherein said clips are attached to said ring in circumferential directions along said ring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The repair method of claim 6 wherein said clips are each generally U-shaped when in said open configuration, comprising a wire of a shape memory material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 6 wherein each of said clips is passed through said ring and annulus in a radial direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
184 words
A mitral valve replacement method comprising: providing a clip delivery device comprising a plurality of clips each having two end points which are separated from each other when in an open configuration and tending to return to a naturally closed configuration by reducing distance between said end points when in said open configuration, a clip holder supporting said clips in said open configuration, an outer tube extending in a longitudinal direction and having an elongated slit at one end and a pusher for pushing a specified number of said clips at a time by causing said two end points thereof to leave said device simultaneously together, said pusher being elongated and adaped to slide in said longitudinal direction inside said outer tube and to thereby push said specified number of clips at a time through said slit; removing mitral valve portions to be replaced; placing a prosthesis sewing cuff therefor where said valve portions have been removed; attaching said prosthesis sewing cuff to a tissue around said removed valve portions by causing said clips to penetrate both said prosthesis sewing cuff and said tissue.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
184 words
A mitral valve replacement method comprising: providing a clip delivery device comprising a plurality of clips each having two end points which are separated from each other when in an open configuration and tending to return to a naturally closed configuration by reducing distance between said end points when in said open configuration, a clip holder supporting said clips in said open configuration, an outer tube extending in a longitudinal direction and having an elongated slit at one end and a pusher for pushing a specified number of said clips at a time by causing said two end points thereof to leave said device simultaneously together, said pusher being elongated and adaped to slide in said longitudinal direction inside said outer tube and to thereby push said specified number of clips at a time through said slit; removing mitral valve portions to be replaced; placing a prosthesis sewing cuff therefor where said valve portions have been removed; attaching said prosthesis sewing cuff to a tissue around said removed valve portions by causing said clips to penetrate both said prosthesis sewing cuff and said tissue.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The replacement method of claim 10 wherein said clips are each generally U-shaped when in said open configuration, comprising a wire of a shape memory material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3656185A
Cited
US3874388A
Cited
US4042979A
Cited
US4185636A
Cited
US4492229A
Cited
US5597378A
Cited
US4994069A
Cited
US5104407A
Cited
US5104407B1
Cited
US5011481A
Cited
US6283993B1
Cited
US5350420A
Cited
US5026379A
Cited
US5042707A
Cited
US5064431A
Cited
US5201880A
Cited
US5454834A
Cited
US5522884A
Cited
US5593424A
Cited
US6254615B1
Cited
US5645568A
Cited
US5972024A
Cited
US5879371A
Cited
US5961539A
Cited
US6346112B2
Cited
US6001110A
Cited
US6451048B1
Cited
US6332893B1
Cited
US6283979B1
Cited
US6419658B1
Cited
US6660015B1
Cited
US5941888A
Cited
US6641593B1
Cited
US20010018593A1
Cited
US6250308B1
Cited
US6165183A
Cited
US6152937A
Cited
US6514265B2
Cited
US6613059B2
Cited
US6695859B1
Cited
US6406492B1
Cited
US6183512B1
Cited
US6217611B1
Cited
US6702826B2
Cited
US6409758B2
Cited
US6776785B1
Cited
WO2003053289A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-07-25 | 2009-01-24 | 2009-07-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-07-25 | 2013-01-24 | 2013-07-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-07-25 | 2017-01-24 | 2017-07-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |