US20040167620A1 — Annuloplasty devices and related heart valve repa…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 88 words

1 . A device for repairing a heart valve comprised of valve tissue including an annulus and a plurality of leaflets for allowing and preventing blood flow, the device comprising: a valve support device configured for attachment to at least one side of the heart valve, and a coil-shaped carrier removably coupled with said valve support device for allowing said valve support device to be turned into position on said at least one side and secured to a portion of the valve tissue to support the heart valve.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 88 words

1 . A device for repairing a heart valve comprised of valve tissue including an annulus and a plurality of leaflets for allowing and preventing blood flow, the device comprising: a valve support device configured for attachment to at least one side of the heart valve, and a coil-shaped carrier removably coupled with said valve support device for allowing said valve support device to be turned into position on said at least one side and secured to a portion of the valve tissue to support the heart valve.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 77 words

2 . A device for repairing a heart valve comprised of valve tissue including an annulus and a plurality of leaflets for allowing and preventing blood flow, the device comprising: a catheter having a lumen and an open end, an elongate valve support member carried within said lumen and movable from said open end, said elongate valve support member having an uncoiled configuration within said lumen and assuming a coiled configuration when extended from said open end.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 77 words

2 . A device for repairing a heart valve comprised of valve tissue including an annulus and a plurality of leaflets for allowing and preventing blood flow, the device comprising: a catheter having a lumen and an open end, an elongate valve support member carried within said lumen and movable from said open end, said elongate valve support member having an uncoiled configuration within said lumen and assuming a coiled configuration when extended from said open end.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 36 words

3 . The device of claim 2 , wherein said elongate valve support member including an inner core covered by an outer layer, said inner core formed from a more rigid material than said outer layer.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 20 words

4 . The device of claim 2 , wherein said elongate valve support member has a generally triangular-shaped cross section.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 27 words

5 . The device of 2 further comprising: an actuator carried within said lumen and operable to extend said elongate valve support member from said open end.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 27 words

5 . The device of 2 further comprising: an actuator carried within said lumen and operable to extend said elongate valve support member from said open end.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 31 words

6 . The device of claim 5 , wherein said actuator further comprises a gripping element operable to grip and allow releasing of one end of said elongate valve support member.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 21 words

7 . The device of claim 2 , wherein said elongate valve support member is formed from a shape memory alloy.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 125 words

8 . A device for repairing a heart valve comprised of valve tissue including an annulus and a plurality of leaflets for allowing and preventing blood flow, the device comprising: a first support member at least partially formed from a shape memory alloy operable to assume an activated shape and an inactivated shape, and a second support member at least partially formed from said shape memory alloy and connected to said first support member, said first support member configured to abut one side of the valve and said second support member configured to abut an opposite side of the valve, whereby a portion of the valve tissue is trapped between said first and second support members upon said shape memory alloy assuming said activated shape.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 125 words

8 . A device for repairing a heart valve comprised of valve tissue including an annulus and a plurality of leaflets for allowing and preventing blood flow, the device comprising: a first support member at least partially formed from a shape memory alloy operable to assume an activated shape and an inactivated shape, and a second support member at least partially formed from said shape memory alloy and connected to said first support member, said first support member configured to abut one side of the valve and said second support member configured to abut an opposite side of the valve, whereby a portion of the valve tissue is trapped between said first and second support members upon said shape memory alloy assuming said activated shape.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 18 words

9 . The device of claim 8 , wherein said first and second support members are ring shaped.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 40 words

10 . The device of claim 8 further comprising: a plurality of fastening elements on at least one of said first and second support members for engaging the valve tissue when the shape memory alloy is in the activated shape.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 33 words

11 . The device of claim 10 , wherein said first support member includes at least one projection and said second support member includes at least one fastening portion to receive said projection.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 111 words

12 . A method of replacing a heart valve of a patient, the method comprising: inserting a first end of a coil-shaped support through an area of valve tissue, rotating at least a first ring of the coil-shaped support to position the first ring on a first side of the valve tissue, positioning at least a second ring of the coil-shaped support on an opposite second side of the valve tissue, coupling a replacement valve to at least one of the first and second rings, and wherein coupling the replacement valve further comprises suturing a cuff on the replacement valve to a cuff on one of the first and second rings.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 111 words

12 . A method of replacing a heart valve of a patient, the method comprising: inserting a first end of a coil-shaped support through an area of valve tissue, rotating at least a first ring of the coil-shaped support to position the first ring on a first side of the valve tissue, positioning at least a second ring of the coil-shaped support on an opposite second side of the valve tissue, coupling a replacement valve to at least one of the first and second rings, and wherein coupling the replacement valve further comprises suturing a cuff on the replacement valve to a cuff on one of the first and second rings.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 33 words

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein coupling the replacement valve further comprises suturing a cuff on the replacement valve to a cuff on one of the first and second rings.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 30 words

14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein coupling the replacement valve further comprises rotating the replacement valve into sealing engagement with one of the first and second rings.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 30 words

15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein coupling the replacement valve further comprises rotating a cuff on the replacement valve over one of the first and second rings.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 25 words

16 . The method of claim 12 , wherein coupling the replacement valve further comprises activating a fastening element formed from a shape memory alloy.

Annuloplasty devices and related heart valve repair methods

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