Heart chamber prosthetic valve implant with base, mesh and dome sections with single chamber anchoring for preservation, supplementation and/or replacement of native valve function

Inventors

Chambers, Jeffrey W.

Assignees

4C Medical Technologies Inc

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present invention comprise a single-chamber collapsible and expandable prosthetic valve implant device comprising the following capabilities: (1) preservation of native valve functionality; (2) initial preservation of native valve functionality with subsequent full replacement of native valve functionality; (3) full replacement of native valve functionality; and/or (4) mitigation of the prolapsing distance of the dysfunctional leaflets by preventing the anterior excursion of the prolapsing leaflets above the upper annular surface and into the left atrial chamber in order to preserve native leaflet functionality for as long as possible. The expanded and implanted device does not extend beyond the boundaries of the subject heart chamber, e.g., the left atrium, thereby enabling the preservation of any remaining native valve functionality with subsequent full replacement of native valve functionality if and when needed.

Core Innovation

The invention relates to a device for expanded implantation within a heart chamber in fluid communication with an annulus comprising an annular plane, an inner annulus and an upper annular surface located between the annular plane and the flexing point of the native leaflets, where the lower boundary of the heart chamber extends to the upper annular surface. The device is fully contained within the heart chamber, so it does not engage with the native mitral valve leaflets, the left ventricle, or the pulmonary artery, and is positioned relative to the flexing point to preserve native leaflet function.

A core aspect is defining an upper annular surface above the native leaflet flexing point, together with a spatial relationship that locates the lower surface of a central valve support on or above the upper annular surface. This arrangement mitigates leaflet prolapse into the atrial chamber by preventing prolapse beyond the upper annular surface region while maintaining antegrade blood flow through prosthetic leaflet(s).

The expandable device includes an expandable anchoring structure comprising a base, a dome section, and an intermediate structure between the base and the dome section. A central valve support is open to blood flow therethrough, is aligned with the annulus, and includes at least one prosthetic leaflet; the central valve support’s geometry is arranged to allow antegrade blood flow through the prosthetic leaflet(s) and prevent retrograde blood flow through the prosthetic leaflet(s).

Claims Coverage

The provided independent claim describes 1 inventive device concept with multiple structural and positional limitations, centered on an expandable anchoring structure and a central valve support carrying prosthetic leaflet(s) with explicit antegrade-versus-retrograde flow behavior and explicit positioning relative to the upper annular surface and the native leaflet flexing point.

Across the provided independent claim, the inventive concept is a heart-chamber implant defined by annular plane/inner annulus/upper annular surface relationships to the native leaflet flexing point, paired with an expandable anchoring structure (base, intermediate structure, dome section) and a central, annulus-aligned valve support carrying prosthetic leaflet(s) that permits antegrade flow and prevents retrograde flow, with the valve support lower surface positioned on or above the upper annular surface.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications