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Publication Number
US-11318019-B2
Publication Date
2022-05-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a cardiac device comprising a band configured to form a loop within a heart and including a first end and a second end, a plurality of sequential locking segments located in a region of the band near the second end, and an actuatable clasp located at or near the first end. Each locking segment may have a ledged region and a ramped region. The actuatable clasp may be configured to form a fixed length loop by locking onto the ledged region of a locking segment after the second end has been inserted into the clasp. Adjacent locking segments may be configured to flex relative to each other, thereby enabling adjacent ramped regions to cooperate with each other to facilitate a sliding of the segments into the clasp.
Core Innovation
A cardiac device is provided with a band configured to form a loop within a heart, the band including a first end and a second end. The band includes a plurality of sequential locking segments located in a region of the band near the second end, and each locking segment includes a ledged region and a ramped region, with each sequential locking segment being cone-shaped.
An adjustable clasp is located at or near the first end and is configured to form a fixed length loop by locking onto the ledged region of a locking segment after the second end has been inserted into the clasp. The locking onto the ledged region supports clasp formation of the loop for papillary muscle repositioning.
Adjacent locking segments are configured to flex relative to each other. The flexibility enables adjacent ramped regions to cooperate with each other to facilitate a sliding of the segments into the clasp, and additional implementations describe hollowed segment interiors enabling rotation, mechanical joints allowing rotation relative to each other, integrally formed single-piece structures with more-flexible connecting regions, and one-plane ramping or indentation/spacer configurations that provide smoother inner surfaces.
Claims Coverage
The partial content identifies one independent claim with main inventive features focused on a loop-forming band with sequential cone-shaped locking segments having ledged and ramped regions, an adjustable clasp that locks to form a fixed length loop after insertion, and flexing adjacent segments so ramped regions cooperate to facilitate sliding into the clasp. Dependent refinements described in the family include specific construction variations that reduce or eliminate ledges and additional structural implementations such as tube-based architectures and specific band materials.
Sequential cone-shaped locking segments with ledged and ramped regions
A band configured to form a loop within a heart includes a plurality of sequential locking segments near the second end, where each locking segment includes a ledged region and a ramped region and each sequential locking segment is cone-shaped.
Adjustable clasp forming a fixed length loop by locking onto a ledged region after insertion
An adjustable clasp located at or near the first end is configured to form a fixed length loop by locking onto the ledged region of a locking segment after the second end has been inserted into the clasp.
Adjacent locking segment flex enabling cooperating ramped regions to facilitate sliding into the clasp
Adjacent locking segments are configured to flex relative to each other, enabling adjacent ramped regions to cooperate with each other to facilitate a sliding of the segments into the clasp.
Hollow interior enabling rotation of adjacent segments to reduce ledge magnitude
Adjacent locking segments include a hollowed interior that allows each segment’s ramped region to rotate about the centerline of a chain of sequential locking segments to reduce the magnitude of a ledge between adjacent locking segments.
Integrally formed single-piece locking segment chain with more-flexible connecting regions
The plurality of sequential locking segments is integrally formed as a single piece with connecting regions that are more flexible than the locking segments.
Mechanical joint allowing rotation of adjacent locking segments relative to each other
Adjacent locking segments are connected by a mechanical joint that allows the locking segments to rotate relative to each other in at least one plane.
Tube portion with locking segments positioned inside the tube
A portion of the band is formed as a tube, and the plurality of sequential locking segments is positioned inside that tube.
Band material selected from PTFE, ePTFE, and Dacron
The band includes at least one of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), or Dacron.
Across the identified claim set, the main inventive concepts are a loop-forming band with sequential cone-shaped locking segments carrying ledged and ramped regions, an adjustable clasp that locks to form a fixed length loop after insertion, and flexing adjacent segments so cooperating ramped regions facilitate sliding into the clasp. Refinements further address ledge magnitude reduction or ledge elimination through hollowed interiors enabling rotation, mechanical joints enabling rotation, integrally formed single-piece structures with more-flexible connectors, and specific band architectures and materials.
Stated Advantages
Adjacent ramped regions cooperate to facilitate sliding of the segments into the clasp.
Flexing of adjacent locking segments reduces the ledge effect during insertion and can reduce or substantially eliminate ledges in described implementations.
Hollowed interiors enabling rotation reduce the magnitude of a ledge between adjacent locking segments.
Integrally formed single-piece structures with more-flexible connecting regions support ledge-reducing flexing behavior.
Documented Applications
Transcatheter papillary muscle repositioning using a cardiac sling/band configured to form a loop within a heart and an adjustable clasp for fixed length loop formation.
Fluoroscopy confirmation of band insertion and clasp actuation using radiopaque markers.
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