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Publication Number
US-11406497-B2
Publication Date
2022-08-09
Expiration Date
Abstract
A valve prosthesis and a system for delivering a valve prosthesis are described herein. The valve prosthesis can include a valve anchor having a longitudinal axis and proximal and distal end portions. The valve anchor can include a plurality of U-shaped members and a plurality of anchoring legs, each of the plurality of anchoring legs comprising a connection aperture at a distal end portion thereof and a longitudinal slot extending along a length of the anchoring leg, wherein the plurality of anchoring legs and the plurality of U-shaped members can radially expand in stages to permit a native valve structure to be interposed therebetween for anchoring the valve prosthesis relative to the native valve structure.
Core Innovation
A valve prosthesis is provided with a valve anchor having a longitudinal axis and proximal and distal end portions. The valve anchor comprises a plurality of U-shaped members and a plurality of anchoring legs, where each U-shaped member has a rounded base portion at the distal end portion and first and second legs extending proximally from the rounded base portion toward the proximal end portion. The first leg of one U-shaped member and the second leg of another U-shaped member are coupled to a proximal end portion of one of the anchoring legs at the proximal end portion of the valve anchor.
Each anchoring leg includes a connection aperture at a distal end portion and a longitudinal slot disposed proximal to the connection aperture and extending along a length of the anchoring leg. A suture is looped into the longitudinal slot and is slidable along a longitudinal length of the longitudinal slot to permit the anchoring legs and the plurality of U-shaped members to radially expand in stages. This staged radial expansion permits a native valve structure to be interposed between the anchoring legs and the plurality of U-shaped members for anchoring the valve prosthesis relative to the native valve structure.
In some embodiments, the valve prosthesis further includes a plurality of valve leaflets configured to be coupled relative to the valve anchor, and a support frame connected to the valve anchor using sutures routed through the longitudinal slots along the anchoring legs. The support frame supports the plurality of valve leaflets. In additional embodiments, the valve anchor may be made from shape memory material.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover a valve prosthesis architecture centered on a longitudinal valve anchor with multiple U-shaped members and anchoring legs, where at least one suture is looped into a longitudinal slot and is slidable to permit staged radial expansion that allows native valve structure interposition for anchoring. Across the independent claims, inventive features focus on the anchor geometry, the connection aperture and longitudinal slot/suture sliding arrangement, and the inclusion and coupling of valve leaflets, with some claims also including a support frame.
Stage-wise radially expanding U-shaped member valve anchor with longitudinal slot and slidable suture
A valve anchor with a plurality of U-shaped members and a plurality of anchoring legs, where each anchoring leg has a connection aperture and a longitudinal slot, at least one suture looped into the longitudinal slot and slidable along a longitudinal length of the longitudinal slot so that the anchoring legs and U-shaped members can radially expand in stages to permit a native valve structure to be interposed therebetween for anchoring the valve prosthesis relative to the native valve structure.
Radially expanding interposed anchoring legs coupled between U-shaped members using slidable suture
A valve anchor comprising anchoring legs circumferentially interposed between and coupled to a respective pair of U-shaped members, where each anchoring leg includes a connection aperture and a longitudinal slot, and a suture looped into the longitudinal slot and slidable along a longitudinal length of the longitudinal slot to permit the anchoring legs and U-shaped members to radially expand in stages and permit a native valve structure to be interposed therebetween for anchoring relative to the native valve structure.
Radially expanding valve anchor configured with valve leaflets coupled relative to the valve anchor
A valve prosthesis including a radially expanding valve anchor as defined with staged radial expansion through slidable sutures on longitudinal slots, and further including a plurality of valve leaflets configured to be coupled relative to the valve anchor.
The independent claims collectively require an anchor that radially expands in stages to interpose and anchor relative to a native valve structure, enabled by a suture looped into a longitudinal slot and slidable along the slot, with the anchor formed from multiple U-shaped members and anchoring legs. Some independent claims add coupling of valve leaflets relative to the valve anchor and a support frame supporting the valve leaflets.
Stated Advantages
Improved anchoring and migration resistance via interposition of native valve structure between the radially expanding anchoring legs and U-shaped members for anchoring relative to the native valve structure.
Improved maneuvering of tight cardiac turns.
Potential for minimally invasive delivery pathways.
Documented Applications
Transcatheter implantation of a prosthetic heart valve using a valve prosthesis delivery system.
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