Devices and methods for minimally invasive repair of heart valves
OwnerJohn Zentgraf, David Joseph Parins +2inventors
InventorsJohn Zentgraf, David Joseph Parins, Arun Saini, Giovanni Speziali
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for heart valve repair utilize a heart valve repair device including a generally annular ring-like structure and a net structure. The ring-like structure is seated in the valve annulus with the net structure extending from the ring-like structure through the coaptation zone between leaflets. The net structure can then be anchored to a heart structure with a suture. Net structure extending between leaflets helps prevent prolapse of leaflets and can aid in coaptation.
Claims13
1-19. (canceled)
A method of repairing a heart valve in a beating heart of a patient, comprising:
- minimally invasively accessing an interior of the heart with a suture deployment mechanism, the suture deployment mechanism carrying a suture and a needle;
- grasping a valve leaflet in the heart with the suture deployment mechanism;
- inserting the suture through the valve leaflet with the needle by operation of the suture deployment mechanism;
- withdrawing the suture deployment mechanism and a portion of the suture from the heart after inserting the suture through the valve leaflet such that the suture extends from the valve leaflet out of the heart;
- advancing a repair device into the heart along the suture with the suture functioning as a guidewire for the repair device;
- and
- inserting the portion of the suture into the heart and anchoring the suture to a wall of the heart.
A method of delivering a repair device into a beating heart of a patient, comprising:
- minimally invasively accessing an interior of the heart with a suture deployment mechanism, the suture deployment mechanism carrying a suture and a needle;
- grasping a valve leaflet in the heart with the suture deployment mechanism;
- inserting the suture through the valve leaflet with the needle by operation of the suture deployment mechanism;
- withdrawing the suture deployment mechanism and a portion of the suture from the heart after inserting the suture through the valve leaflet such that the suture extends from the valve leaflet out of the heart;
- advancing a repair device into the heart along the suture with the suture functioning as a guidewire for the repair device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.