Back to results
US 2008/0167713 A1Published application
Reconfiguring Heart Features
AssigneeMillipede, Inc.
InventorSteven F. Bolling
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In general, in an aspect, an annulus of a heart valve is caused to dilate to a predetermined configuration. While the annulus is dilated, a valve support is attached to tissue at locations along the annulus. After attachment, the support is caused to contract.
Claims52
A method comprising:
- applying a force on a tool toward an annulus of a heart valve to cause the annulus to dilate,
- while the annulus is dilated, attaching a valve support to tissue at locations along the annulus, and
- after attachment, causing the support to contract.
A method comprising:
- causing an annulus of a heart valve to dilate to a predetermined configuration;
- and
- while the annulus is dilated, attaching a valve support to tissue at locations along the annulus;
- and
- after attachment, causing the support to contract.
2 more elements
A method comprising:
- pushing a valve support towards an annulus of a heart valve to cause hooks of the support to be driven into tissue at locations along the annulus;
- and
- embedding the hooks more securely in the tissue by pulling on the support.
A method comprising:
- causing a catheter to traverse a body lumen to place a delivery tool that carries a valve support at an annulus of a heart valve;
- and
- pushing the catheter toward the annulus of the heart valve to cause the delivery tool to dilate the annulus.
An apparatus comprising:
- an annular heart valve support, and
- hooks connected to the support to attach the support along an annulus of a heart valve,
- each of the hooks having (a) a sharp free end facing a first direction, (b) a connection end where the hooks is attached to the support, and (c) a bend located between the free end and the connection end, the bend defining a sharp feature facing in a second direction generally opposite to the first direction.
An apparatus comprising
- a tool bearing a tapered outer surface,
- a heart valve support, and
- a connection between the tool and the support to translate forces from the tool to the support in each of two opposite directions along an axis of a heart valve and to release when the force along one of the axial directions exceeds a predetermined threshold.
A method comprising:
- applying a force on a tool toward an annular feature of a heart to cause the feature to dilate,
- while the feature is dilated, attaching a support to tissue at locations along a periphery of the annular feature, and
- after attachment, causing the support to contract to reconfigure the feature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.