US7186264B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for improving mitral valve function
Assignee: Guided Delivery Systems Inc
•
Filing: 2002-03-29
•
Granted: 2007-03-06
•
Expires: 2022-03-29
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
- 👤 John R. Liddicoat
- 👤 Daniel C. Taylor
- 👤 Richard B. Streeter
- 👤 Steven B. Woolfson
- 👤 William E. Cohn
- 👤 Todd F. Davenport
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:40
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2442; A61F2/2451; A61F2/2466; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S623/00; Y10S623/902; Y10S623/903; Y10S623/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
299 words
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 anteriorly, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation, the apparatus comprising a plurality of elements forming a straightening device having a first end and a second end, the straightening device defining a longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end, and the straightening device defining a first side and a second side on opposing sides of the longitudinal axis, the first side defining a series of gaps between the plurality of elements, the straightening device having an insertion configuration comprising orienting the gaps away from the mitral valve so as to allow the straightening device to curve as required to follow a natural curvature of the coronary sinus, the first end configured to allow rotation of the straightening device, the first end having a given length configured to extend outside of the coronary sinus with the second end and the plurality of elements forming the straightening device disposed within the coronary sinus, the straightening device having a straightened configuration wherein the gaps are oriented toward the mitral valve so as to force the straightening device to straighten within the coronary sinus, and wherein the straightening device is configured to rotate within the coronary sinus between the insertion configuration and the straightened configuration, the plurality of elements being separated apart from one another during insertion into the coronary sinus and thereafter closed together in situ so as to form the apparatus; wherein each of the elements has a length such that it is, by itself, insufficient to significantly move the coronary sinus.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
299 words
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 anteriorly, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation, the apparatus comprising a plurality of elements forming a straightening device having a first end and a second end, the straightening device defining a longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end, and the straightening device defining a first side and a second side on opposing sides of the longitudinal axis, the first side defining a series of gaps between the plurality of elements, the straightening device having an insertion configuration comprising orienting the gaps away from the mitral valve so as to allow the straightening device to curve as required to follow a natural curvature of the coronary sinus, the first end configured to allow rotation of the straightening device, the first end having a given length configured to extend outside of the coronary sinus with the second end and the plurality of elements forming the straightening device disposed within the coronary sinus, the straightening device having a straightened configuration wherein the gaps are oriented toward the mitral valve so as to force the straightening device to straighten within the coronary sinus, and wherein the straightening device is configured to rotate within the coronary sinus between the insertion configuration and the straightened configuration, the plurality of elements being separated apart from one another during insertion into the coronary sinus and thereafter closed together in situ so as to form the apparatus; wherein each of the elements has a length such that it is, by itself, insufficient to significantly move the coronary sinus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein a distalmost of the elements is fixed to an elongated flexible body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein the distalmost of the elements is delivered to the coronary sinus by advancing the flexible body into the coronary sinus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus is substantially straight along its length.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus is substantially curved along its length.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus is both substantially straight and curved along its length.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the elements are inserted into the coronary sinus percutaneously.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein the elements are inserted into the coronary sinus by introducing the elements into the patient's jugular vein, passing them down the superior vena cava, passing them through the right atrium and then passing them into the coronary sinus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the elements are inserted into the coronary sinus by introducing them into the patient's left subclavian vein, passing them down the superior vena cava, passing them through the right atrium and then passing them into the coronary sinus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the elements are inserted into the coronary sinus through an incision in the patient's heart.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the elements are guided into position by passing them through a pre-positioned delivery catheter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the elements are guided into position by passing them over a pre-positioned guidewire.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 12 wherein the elements are guided into position by inserting the guidewire into the coronary sinus and then passing the elements down the guidewire.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising a subsequent step of removing the apparatus from the coronary sinus.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the elements are inserted under visualization.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 15 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 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 including an additional step of assessing the efficacy of the procedure.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
328 words
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 anteriorly, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation, the apparatus comprising a plurality of elements forming a straightening device having a first end and a second end, the straightening device defining a longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end, and the straightening device defining a first side and a second side on opposing sides of the longitudinal axis, the first side defining a series of gaps between the plurality of elements, the straightening device having an insertion configuration comprising orienting the gaps away from the mitral valve so as to allow the straightening device to curve as required to follow a natural curvature of the coronary sinus, the first end configured to allow rotation of the straightening device, the first end having a given length configured to extend outside of the coronary sinus with the second end and the plurality of elements forming the straightening device disposed within the coronary sinus, the straightening device having a straightened configuration wherein the gaps are oriented toward the mitral valve so as to force the straightening device to straighten within the coronary sinus, and wherein the straightening device is configured to rotate within the coronary sinus between the insertion configuration and the straightened configuration, the plurality of elements being separated apart from one another during insertion into the coronary sinus and thereafter closed together in situ so as to form the apparatus; wherein the elements are inserted into the coronary sinus percutaneously; and wherein the elements are 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 elements down the delivery catheter.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
328 words
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 anteriorly, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation, the apparatus comprising a plurality of elements forming a straightening device having a first end and a second end, the straightening device defining a longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end, and the straightening device defining a first side and a second side on opposing sides of the longitudinal axis, the first side defining a series of gaps between the plurality of elements, the straightening device having an insertion configuration comprising orienting the gaps away from the mitral valve so as to allow the straightening device to curve as required to follow a natural curvature of the coronary sinus, the first end configured to allow rotation of the straightening device, the first end having a given length configured to extend outside of the coronary sinus with the second end and the plurality of elements forming the straightening device disposed within the coronary sinus, the straightening device having a straightened configuration wherein the gaps are oriented toward the mitral valve so as to force the straightening device to straighten within the coronary sinus, and wherein the straightening device is configured to rotate within the coronary sinus between the insertion configuration and the straightened configuration, the plurality of elements being separated apart from one another during insertion into the coronary sinus and thereafter closed together in situ so as to form the apparatus; wherein the elements are inserted into the coronary sinus percutaneously; and wherein the elements are 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 elements down the delivery catheter.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
274 words
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 anteriorly, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation, the apparatus comprising a plurality of elements forming a straightening device having a first end and a second end, the straightening device defining a longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end, and the straightening device defining a first side and a second side on opposing sides of the longitudinal axis, the first side defining a series of gaps between the plurality of elements, the straightening device having an insertion configuration wherein the gaps are orientated away from the mitral valve so as to the allow the straightening device to curve as required to follow a natural curvature of the coronary sinus, the straightening device having a straightened configuration wherein the gaps are oriented toward the mitral valve so as to force the straightening device to straighten within the coronary sinus, and the straightening device is configured to rotate within the coronary sinus between the insertion configuration and the straightened configuration, the plurality of elements being separated apart from one another during insertion into the coronary sinus and thereafter closed together in situ so as to form the straightened configuration; wherein the elements are guided into position by passing them over a pre-positioned guidewire; and wherein the elements are guided into position by inserting the guidewire into the coronary sinus and then passing the elements down the guidewire.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
274 words
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 anteriorly, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation, the apparatus comprising a plurality of elements forming a straightening device having a first end and a second end, the straightening device defining a longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end, and the straightening device defining a first side and a second side on opposing sides of the longitudinal axis, the first side defining a series of gaps between the plurality of elements, the straightening device having an insertion configuration wherein the gaps are orientated away from the mitral valve so as to the allow the straightening device to curve as required to follow a natural curvature of the coronary sinus, the straightening device having a straightened configuration wherein the gaps are oriented toward the mitral valve so as to force the straightening device to straighten within the coronary sinus, and the straightening device is configured to rotate within the coronary sinus between the insertion configuration and the straightened configuration, the plurality of elements being separated apart from one another during insertion into the coronary sinus and thereafter closed together in situ so as to form the straightened configuration; wherein the elements are guided into position by passing them over a pre-positioned guidewire; and wherein the elements are guided into position by inserting the guidewire into the coronary sinus and then passing the elements down the guidewire.
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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) | 2010-03-05 | 2010-09-04 | 2011-03-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-03-05 | 2014-09-04 | 2015-03-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-03-05 | 2018-09-04 | 2019-03-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |