US7247134B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Devices and methods for heart valve treatment
Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences LLC
•
Filing: 2003-11-10
•
Granted: 2007-07-24
•
Expires: 2023-11-10
Abstract
Abstract Devices and methods for improving the function of a valve (e.g., mitral valve) by positioning an implantable device outside and adjacent the heart wall such that the device alters the shape of the heart wall acting on the valve. The implantable device may alter the shape of the heart wall acting on the valve by applying an inward force and/or by circumferential shortening (cinching). The shape change of the heart wall acting on the valve is sufficient to change the function of the valve, and may increase coaptation of the leaflets, for example, to reduce regurgitation.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M. Vidlund
- 👤 Craig Ekvall
- 👤 David Kusz
- 👤 Cyril J. Schweich, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:21
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2478; A61F2/2481; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/00234; A61B17/04; A61B17/12; A61B17/132; A61B17/1322; A61B17/1325; A61B17/32; A61B17/3205; A61B17/32053; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00243; A61B17/0401; A61B2017/0404; A61B2017/0412; A61B2017/0464; A61B2017/0496; A61F2/2442
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for improving heart valve function, the method comprising: providing a device comprising a first anchor configured to be secured to heart tissue, a second anchor configured to be secured to heart tissue, and an interconnecting member connecting the first anchor and the second anchor; delivering the device to a heart via a transthoracic subxiphoid approach; positioning at least a portion of the interconnecting member in contact with an external surface of a heart wall proximate a valve such that the device exerts an inward force on the heart wall sufficient to alter the valve function; and securing the first anchor and the second anchor to an epicardial layer of the heart, wherein the interconnecting member is configured to be selectively adjustable so as to alter a tension of the interconnecting member between the first anchor and the second anchor.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for improving heart valve function, the method comprising: providing a device comprising a first anchor configured to be secured to heart tissue, a second anchor configured to be secured to heart tissue, and an interconnecting member connecting the first anchor and the second anchor; delivering the device to a heart via a transthoracic subxiphoid approach; positioning at least a portion of the interconnecting member in contact with an external surface of a heart wall proximate a valve such that the device exerts an inward force on the heart wall sufficient to alter the valve function; and securing the first anchor and the second anchor to an epicardial layer of the heart, wherein the interconnecting member is configured to be selectively adjustable so as to alter a tension of the interconnecting member between the first anchor and the second anchor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the inward force is sufficient to draw leaflets of the valve together.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the valve leaflets define a line of coaptation and positioning the portion of the interconnecting member includes positioning the portion such that the inward force is exerted substantially orthogonal to the line of coaptation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the valve is a mitral valve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the inward force is exerted on an annulus of the valve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the inward force is sufficient to reposition papillary muscles of the valve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising positioning the device outside the epicardium of the heart.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising selectively adjusting the tension of the interconnecting member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising adjusting a relative position of the first and second anchors so as to adjust the tension in the interconnecting member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 9 , further comprising selectively locking the interconnecting member to at least one of the first anchor and the second anchor after adjusting the relative position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein the selectively locking includes penetrating the interconnecting member with a pin.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the securing includes securing the first anchor and the second anchor to the epicardial layer while the anchors remain free from a pericardial layer of the heart.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising securing at least one of the first anchor and the second anchor to a pericardial layer of the heart.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising delivering the device to the heart via a delivery catheter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising securing the first and second anchors to the heart tissue via tissue penetrating members.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 15 , further comprising remotely actuating the tissue penetrating members.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising exerting the inward force on the heart wall throughout a cardiac cycle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein providing the device includes providing a device comprising at least one protrusion connected to the interconnecting member and disposed between the first anchor and the second anchor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the securing includes securing the first and second anchors directly to the epicardial layer of the heart.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for improving heart valve function, the method comprising: providing a device comprising a first anchor configured to be secured to heart tissue, a second anchor configured to be secured to heart tissue, and an interconnecting member connecting the first anchor and the second anchor; delivering the device via a transthoracic subxiphoid approach; positioning the device outside the epicardium of the heart; and positioning at least a portion of the interconnecting member in contact with an external surface of a heart wall proximate a valve such that the device exerts an inward force on the heart wall sufficient to alter the valve function, wherein the interconnecting member is configured to be selectively adjustable so as to alter a tension of the interconnecting member between the first anchor and the second anchor.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for improving heart valve function, the method comprising: providing a device comprising a first anchor configured to be secured to heart tissue, a second anchor configured to be secured to heart tissue, and an interconnecting member connecting the first anchor and the second anchor; delivering the device via a transthoracic subxiphoid approach; positioning the device outside the epicardium of the heart; and positioning at least a portion of the interconnecting member in contact with an external surface of a heart wall proximate a valve such that the device exerts an inward force on the heart wall sufficient to alter the valve function, wherein the interconnecting member is configured to be selectively adjustable so as to alter a tension of the interconnecting member between the first anchor and the second anchor.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
179 words
A method for improving heart valve function, the method comprising: providing a device comprising a first anchor configured to be secured to heart tissue, a second anchor configured to be secured to heart tissue, and an interconnecting member connecting the first anchor and the second anchor, wherein the interconnecting member is configured to be selectively adjustable so as to alter a tension of the interconnecting member between the first anchor and the second anchor; delivering the device via a transthoracic subxiphoid approach; positioning at least a portion of the interconnecting member in contact with an external surface of a heart wall proximate a valve such that the device exerts an inward force on the heart wall sufficient to alter the valve function; adjusting a relative position of the first and second anchors so as to adjust the tension in the interconnecting member; and selectively locking the interconnecting member to at least one of the first anchor and the second anchor after adjusting the relative position, wherein selectively locking the interconnecting member includes penetrating the interconnecting member with a pin.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
179 words
A method for improving heart valve function, the method comprising: providing a device comprising a first anchor configured to be secured to heart tissue, a second anchor configured to be secured to heart tissue, and an interconnecting member connecting the first anchor and the second anchor, wherein the interconnecting member is configured to be selectively adjustable so as to alter a tension of the interconnecting member between the first anchor and the second anchor; delivering the device via a transthoracic subxiphoid approach; positioning at least a portion of the interconnecting member in contact with an external surface of a heart wall proximate a valve such that the device exerts an inward force on the heart wall sufficient to alter the valve function; adjusting a relative position of the first and second anchors so as to adjust the tension in the interconnecting member; and selectively locking the interconnecting member to at least one of the first anchor and the second anchor after adjusting the relative position, wherein selectively locking the interconnecting member includes penetrating the interconnecting member with a pin.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for improving heart valve function, the method comprising: providing a device comprising a first anchor configured to be secured to heart tissue, a second anchor configured to be secured to heart tissue, and an interconnecting member connecting the first anchor and the second anchor, wherein the interconnecting member is configured to be selectively adjustable so as to alter a tension of the interconnecting member between the first anchor and the second anchor; delivering the device via a transthoracic subxiphoid approach; and positioning at least a portion of the interconnecting member in contact with an external surface of a heart wall proximate a valve such that the device exerts an inward force on the heart wall sufficient to alter the valve function.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for improving heart valve function, the method comprising: providing a device comprising a first anchor configured to be secured to heart tissue, a second anchor configured to be secured to heart tissue, and an interconnecting member connecting the first anchor and the second anchor, wherein the interconnecting member is configured to be selectively adjustable so as to alter a tension of the interconnecting member between the first anchor and the second anchor; delivering the device via a transthoracic subxiphoid approach; and positioning at least a portion of the interconnecting member in contact with an external surface of a heart wall proximate a valve such that the device exerts an inward force on the heart wall sufficient to alter the valve function.
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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) | 2010-07-23 | 2011-01-22 | 2011-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-07-23 | 2015-01-22 | 2015-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-07-23 | 2019-01-22 | 2019-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |