# US 6,719,785 B2 · Aortic heart valve prosthesis implantation tool > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,719,785 B2 - Document ID: US6719785B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 09/860,175 - Filed: 2001-05-17 - Published: 2003-04-24 - Granted: 2004-04-13 - Earliest claimed: 2001-05-17 - Assignees: St. Jude Medical, Inc. - Inventors: Thomas G. Schoon; Eric S. Buchanan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6719785B2 ## CPC - A61F 2/2496: {Devices for determining the dimensions of the prosthetic valve to be implanted, e.g. templates, sizers} - A61F 2/2427: {Devices for manipulating or deploying heart valves during implantation} - A61B 2090/395: {with marking agent for marking skin or other tissue} - 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) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract Improved tools for visualizing, sizing and/or marking include a prosthesis template with a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of an aortic heart valve prosthesis. In preferred embodiments, the prosthesis template has an annulus end and a sinotubular junction end wherein the diameter at the annulus end is less than the diameter at the sinotubular junction end. The prosthesis template can include a marking element configured to mark tissue at particular positions relative to the prosthesis template. Marking can be performed with a variety of techniques. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tool comprising a prosthesis template, the prosthesis template having an annulus end, a sidewall terminating at the annulus end, and a sinotubular junction end, the prosthesis template further comprising a plurality of posts around the circumference extending toward the sinotubular junction end, wherein the diameter at the annulus end is less than the diameter at the sinotubular junction end and the template sidewall is tapered towards the annulus end. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tool of claim 1 further comprising a handle extending from the prosthesis template. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The tool of claim 1 wherein the annulus end has a diameter less than the diameter of the sinotubular junction end by from about 1 millimeter (mm) to about 5 mm. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The tool of claim 1 wherein the annulus end has a diameter less than the diameter of the sinotubular junction end by from about 1 millimeter (mm) to about 3 mm. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The tool of claim 1 wherein the posts have unequal heights. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The tool of claim 1 wherein the plurality of posts are three posts. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The tool of claim 6 wherein the three posts are not symmetrically oriented around the prosthesis template. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The tool of claim 1 wherein the posts are connected by scallops. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A method for guiding the attachment of an aortic heart valve prosthesis, the method comprising inserting a tool of claim 1 into the aorta to visualize the positioning of the prosthesis. ### Claim 10 A tissue marking device comprising a prosthesis template having an annulus end and a sinotubular junction end, wherein a diameter of the annulus end is less than a diameter of the sinotubular junction end and a marker having a marking tip that interfaces with notches of the prosthesis template, wherein the marker is separately positionable from the prosthesis template. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The tissue marking device of claim 10 further comprising a handle attached to the prosthesis template. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The tissue marking device of claim 10 wherein three posts are located at the sinotubular junction end. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The tissue marking device of claim 12 wherein the three posts have equal height. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The tissue marking device of claim 12 wherein the three posts have an unequal height. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The tissue marking device of claim 10 wherein the prosthesis template further includes channels leading to the notches. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The tissue marking device of claim 10 wherein the diameter of the annulus end is less than the diameter of the sinotubular junction end by about 1 mm to about 5 mm. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The tissue marking device of claim 12 wherein the three posts are not symmetrically positioned around the template. ### Claim 18 A tissue marking device comprising a prosthesis template having an annulus end, a sidewall terminating at the annulus end, and a sinotubular junction end, wherein a diameter of the annulus end is less than a diameter of the sinotubular junction end, the prosthesis template sidewall being tapered towards the annulus end and comprising a marking element configured to mark tissue at particular positions relative to the prosthesis template. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The tissue marking device of claim 18, further comprising a handle and wherein the marking element comprises pores on the outer surface of the prosthesis template and wherein the handle comprises a reservoir and a plunger forming a surface of the reservoir. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The tissue marking device of claim 18 wherein three posts are located at the sinotubular junction end.