US 8,771,292 B2Granted

Minimally invasive mitral valve repair method and apparatus

AssigneeEdwards Lifesciences Corporation

InventorsWilliam J. Allen, Alan B. Bachman, Scott Reed, Leland R. Adams, Robert R. Steckel

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Abstract

The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for the stabilization and fastening of two pieces of tissue. A single device may be used to both stabilize and fasten the two pieces of tissue, or a separate stabilizing device may be used in conjunction with a fastening device. After the pieces of tissue are stabilized, they are fastened together using sutures or clips. One exemplary embodiment of a suture-based fastener comprises a needle connected to a suture. The needle enters the blind side of the tissue and exits the front side. The suture is then tied in a knot to secure the pieces of tissue. One example of a clip-based fastener comprises a spring-loaded clip having two arms with tapered distal ends and barbs. The probe includes a deployment mechanism which causes the clip to pierce and lockingly secure the two pieces of tissue.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus for treating tissue within a patient's body, the apparatus comprising:

a generally elongated catheter having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion;
a vacuum port assembly positioned on the catheter distal end portion, the vacuum port assembly configured to apply a vacuum in order to releasably grasp tissue;
a vacuum control apparatus configured to control the application of vacuum to the vacuum port assembly;
an extension member configured to extend and retract from the distal end portion of the generally elongated catheter;
a first suture needle configured to deploy suture through tissue, the first suture needle secured to a first suture end and positioned on the extension member with a first needle tip directed substantially proximally, wherein the first suture needle is configured to be proximally moved tip-first toward the catheter distal end portion;
a second suture needle configured to deploy suture through tissue, the second suture needle secured to a second suture end and positioned on the extension member with a second needle tip direct substantially proximally, wherein the second suture needle is configured to be proximally moved tip-first toward the catheter distal end portion;
a needle capturing apparatus configured to grip and retain the first suture needle and the second suture needle, wherein the needle capturing apparatus is positioned at the catheter distal end.

4 more elements

An apparatus for treating tissue within a patient's body, the apparatus comprising:

a generally elongated catheter having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion;
a tissue grasping apparatus configured to grasp and release tissue, the tissue grasping apparatus positioned on the distal end portion of the catheter;
an extension member configured to extend and retract from the distal end portion of the generally elongated catheter;
a tissue fastening apparatus comprising a first tissue needle having a first needle tip and a second tissue needle having a second needle tip, wherein the first tissue needle and the second tissue needle are positioned on the extension member of the catheter with the first needle tip and the second needle tip directly substantially proximally;
a tissue grasping apparatus controller configured to actuate the tissue grasping apparatus to grasp tissue independently of deployment of the tissue fastening apparatus;
a needle capturing apparatus configured to grip and retain the first suture needle and the second suture needle, wherein the needle capturing apparatus is positioned at the catheter distal end;
and a tissue fastening apparatus actuator configured to advance the first needle tip and the second needle tip into the needle capturing apparatus.

4 more elements

An apparatus for treating tissue within a patient's body, comprising:

a generally elongated catheter comprising a proximal end and a distal end;
an extension member configured to extend and retract from the distal end of the generally elongated catheter;
a tissue fastening apparatus comprising a first tissue needle having a first needle tip and a second tissue needle having a second needle tip, wherein the first tissue needle and the second tissue needle are positioned on the extension member of the catheter with the first needle tip and the second needle tip directly substantially proximally;
a needle capturing apparatus configured to grip and retain the first suture needle and the second suture needle, wherein the needle capturing apparatus is positioned at the catheter distal end;
and
a tissue fastening apparatus actuator configured to advance the first needle tip and the second needle tip into the needle capturing apparatus, wherein the tissue fastening apparatus actuator is configured to independently control advancement of the first needle tip and the second needle tip.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/752,167Filed 28 Jan 2013 · continuation
Priority: 21 Oct 1999
Published: US 2013/0138121 A130 May 2013
Granted: 8 Jul 2014
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification21 codes

A61B 17/062
Needles ; Sutures; Needle-suture combinations; Holders or packages for needles or suture materials: needle manipulators
A61B 17/0401
For suturing wounds; Holders or packages for needles or suture materials: suture anchors, buttons or pledgets, i.e. means for attaching sutures to…
A61B 17/0469
For suturing wounds; Holders or packages for needles or suture materials: suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g.…
A61B 17/0482
For suturing wounds; Holders or packages for needles or suture materials: needle or suture guides

Family

Application60/161,296Us provisional application · filed 21 Oct 1999
Application09/562,406Parent of this continuation · filed 1 May 2000
Application10/423,046Parent of this continuation · filed 24 Apr 2003
US 6,626,930 B1Parent of this continuation · filed 30 Sep 2003
Application11/273,900Parent of this continuation · filed 15 Nov 2005
Application11/274,877Parent of this continuation · filed 15 Nov 2005
US 7,112,207 B2Parent of this continuation · filed 26 Sep 2006
Application12/785,963Parent of this continuation · filed 24 May 2010
US 7,744,609 B2Parent of this continuation · filed 29 Jun 2010
US 7,758,595 B2Parent of this continuation · filed 20 Jul 2010
US 2013/0138121 A1Pre-grant publication · published 30 May 2013
US 8,361,086 B2Parent of this continuation
US 2004/0093023 A1Published application
US 2006/0064115 A1Published application
US 2006/0064116 A1Published application
US 2010/0234813 A1Published application
US 8,771,292 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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