# US 2018/0021134 A1 · Independent system for tricuspid valve repair > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0021134 A1 - Document ID: US20180021134A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/215,387 - Filed: 2016-07-20 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-20 - Assignees: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc. - Applicants: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc. - Inventors: Sean A. McNiven; Laura M. Kalvass; Benjamin L. Lee; Antonio N. Garcia - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180021134A1 ## CPC - A61F 2/2454: {Means for preventing inversion of the valve leaflets, e.g. chordae tendineae prostheses} - A61F 2/2436: {Deployment by retracting a sheath} - A61F 2/246: {Devices for obstructing a leak through a native valve in a closed condition} - A61F 2/2466: {Delivery devices therefor} - A61F 2220/0008: Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract A system for repairing a tricuspid valve and positioned at a distal end of a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end and a bore extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The system comprises an activation element extending along the bore, the activation element including a first push element and a first pull element; a second push element and a second pull element; a third push element and a third pull element; wherein the first push element, the second push element, and the third push element are independently slideable in relation to each other; a first lower jaw being pin connected to the first pull element; a second lower jaw being pin connected to the second pull element; a third lower jaw being pin connected to the third pull element. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for repairing a tricuspid valve in a patient's heart, the system being positioned at a distal end of a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end and a bore extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the system comprising: an activation element, extending along the bore, the activation element comprising: a first push element and a first pull element slideable in relation to the first push element; a second push element and a second pull element slideable in relation to the second push element; a third push element and a third pull element slideable in relation to the third push element; wherein the first push element, the second push element, and the third push element are independently slideable in relation to each other; a first lower jaw being pin connected to the first pull element; a first strut being pin connected to the first push element and also being pin connected to the first jaw; a second lower jaw being pin connected to the second pull element; a second strut being pin connected to the second push element and also being pin connected to the second jaw; a third lower jaw being pin connected to the third pull element; a third strut being pin connected to the third push element and also being pin connected to the third jaw. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first push element and the first pull element define a ratcheting means for preventing distal movement of the push element in relation to the pull element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, further including an elastic annulus that surrounds the activation element and which is positioned to apply a radially inward force on the ratcheting means. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first push element defines a discontinuity surface means shaped for permitting separation of adjacent portions of the first push element. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first pull element defines a discontinuity surface means shaped for permitting separation of adjacent portions of the first pull element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further including a first upper jaw that is connected to the first pull element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the upper jaw defines gripping elements. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the first upper jaw is connected to the first pull element by two pins that are spaced from each other. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the first upper jaw is configured to assume a compressed radius condition during delivery, and an expanded radius condition during deployment. ### Claim 10 A method of repairing a tricuspid valve having a first leaflet, a second leaflet, and a third leaflet in a heart of a patient, the method comprising: inserting into the heart via transcatheter delivery a first set of opposing jaws, a second set of opposing jaws, and a third set of opposing jaws; operating the first set of opposing jaws, independently of the second set of opposing jaws and the third set of opposing jaws, to grasp the first leaflet; operating the second set of opposing jaws, independently of the first set of opposing jaws and the third set of opposing jaws, to grasp the second leaflet; operating the third set of opposing jaws, independently of the first set of opposing jaws and the second set of opposing jaws, to grasp the third leaflet; ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further including locking in a fixed position the first set of opposing jaws. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein locking the first set of jaws in a fixed position includes applying a tension force extending circumferentially around a catheter delivering the first set of opposing jaws, the second set of opposing jaws, and the third set of opposing jaws. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further including disconnecting the first set of opposing jaws from a distal end of a delivery catheter. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein disconnecting the first set of opposing jaws includes withdrawing proximally a sheath surrounding the delivery catheter. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein operating the first set of jaws includes moving a lower jaw towards an upper jaw.