Devices and methods for heart valve treatment
AssigneeMyocor, Inc.
InventorsRobert M. Vidlund, Craig Ekvall, David Kusz, Cyril J. Schweich, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Devices and methods for improving the function of a valve (e.g., mitral valve) by positioning an implantable device outside and adjacent the heart wall such that the device alters the shape of the heart wall acting on the valve. The implantable device may alter the shape of the heart wall acting on the valve by applying an inward force and/or by circumferential shortening (cinching). The shape change of the heart wall acting on the valve is sufficient to change the function of the valve, and may increase coaptation of the leaflets, for example, to reduce regurgitation.
Claims22
A method for improving heart valve function, the method comprising:
- providing a device comprising a first anchor configured to be secured to heart tissue, a second anchor configured to be secured to heart tissue, and an interconnecting member connecting the first anchor and the second anchor;
- delivering the device to a heart via a transthoracic subxiphoid approach;
- positioning at least a portion of the interconnecting member in contact with an external surface of a heart wall proximate a valve such that the device exerts an inward force on the heart wall sufficient to alter the valve function;
- and
- securing the first anchor and the second anchor to an epicardial layer of the heart,
- wherein the interconnecting member is configured to be selectively adjustable so as to alter a tension of the interconnecting member between the first anchor and the second anchor.
A method for improving heart valve function, the method comprising:
- providing a device comprising a first anchor configured to be secured to heart tissue, a second anchor configured to be secured to heart tissue, and an interconnecting member connecting the first anchor and the second anchor;
- delivering the device via a transthoracic subxiphoid approach;
- positioning the device outside the epicardium of the heart;
- and positioning at least a portion of the interconnecting member in contact with an external surface of a heart wall proximate a valve such that the device exerts an inward force on the heart wall sufficient to alter the valve function,
- wherein the interconnecting member is configured to be selectively adjustable so as to alter a tension of the interconnecting member between the first anchor and the second anchor.
A method for improving heart valve function, the method comprising:
- providing a device comprising a first anchor configured to be secured to heart tissue, a second anchor configured to be secured to heart tissue, and an interconnecting member connecting the first anchor and the second anchor, wherein the interconnecting member is configured to be selectively adjustable so as to alter a tension of the interconnecting member between the first anchor and the second anchor;
- delivering the device via a transthoracic subxiphoid approach;
- positioning at least a portion of the interconnecting member in contact with an external surface of a heart wall proximate a valve such that the device exerts an inward force on the heart wall sufficient to alter the valve function;
- adjusting a relative position of the first and second anchors so as to adjust the tension in the interconnecting member;
- and
- selectively locking the interconnecting member to at least one of the first anchor and the second anchor after adjusting the relative position,
- wherein selectively locking the interconnecting member includes penetrating the interconnecting member with a pin.
A method for improving heart valve function, the method comprising:
- providing a device comprising a first anchor configured to be secured to heart tissue, a second anchor configured to be secured to heart tissue, and an interconnecting member connecting the first anchor and the second anchor, wherein the interconnecting member is configured to be selectively adjustable so as to alter a tension of the interconnecting member between the first anchor and the second anchor;
- delivering the device via a transthoracic subxiphoid approach;
- and
- positioning at least a portion of the interconnecting member in contact with an external surface of a heart wall proximate a valve such that the device exerts an inward force on the heart wall sufficient to alter the valve function.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.