Prolapse prevention device and methods of use thereof

A prolapse prevention device for treating valvular regurgitation in a heart valve, the prolapse prevention device comprising:

• a continuous wire-like structure having a first end and a second end that opposes the first end, the first end and the second end being disconnected from each other,
• wherein the prolapse prevention device in a deployed configuration includes
• a centering ring configured to seat adjacent to and upstream of an annulus of the heart valve to circumferentially center the prolapse prevention device in situ, wherein the centering ring is an open ring,
• an inner tail that conforms to an inner surface of the centering ring and is configured to permit the open ring to self-adjust to a size of the annulus of the heart valve,
• a leaflet backstop extending radially inward from the centering ring and configured to contact at least a first leaflet of the heart valve in situ to exert a pressure in a downstream direction on the first leaflet to prevent the first leaflet from prolapsing into the atrium,
• a vertical support extending from the centering ring in an upstream direction such that an apex thereof is configured to seat against a roof of an atrium in situ, and
• a retrieval arm extending from the apex of the vertical support in a downstream direction, away from the roof of the atrium.

A method of treating heart valvular regurgitation with a system including a delivery catheter and a prolapse prevention device, the method comprising:

• percutaneously introducing the system into a vasculature;
• delivering the system through the vasculature to a heart valve with the prolapse prevention device in a delivery configuration, wherein the prolapse prevention device is formed by a continuous wire-like structure having a first end and a second end that opposes the first end, the first end and the second end being disconnected from each other, the continuous wire-like structure being substantially straight when the prolapse prevention device is in the delivery configuration;
• positioning a distal end of the delivery catheter adjacent to an annulus of the heart valve;
• and
• deploying the prolapse prevention device such that a centering ring of the continuous wire-like structure is seated adjacent to and upstream of the annulus of the heart valve, a vertical support of the continuous wire-like structure extends from the centering ring and an apex thereof is seated against a roof of the atrium, and a leaflet backstop of the continuous wire-like structure is extending radially inward from the centering ring and contacts at least a first leaflet of the heart valve to exert a pressure in a downstream direction on the first leaflet to prevent the first leaflet from prolapsing into the atrium.