US6350281B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Methods and apparatus for measuring valve annuluses during heart valve-replacement surgery
Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corp
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Filing: 1999-09-14
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Granted: 2002-02-26
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Expires: 2019-09-14
Abstract
Abstract A sizer measures a valve annulus to determine a size of an artificial heart valve to be sewn in the valve annulus during heart-valve replacement surgery. The sizer includes a support member and a resilient member. The support member has a size corresponding to the size of one of a plurality of artificial heart valves. The resilient member is disposed about the support member and has a resiliency substantially equal to the resiliency of a sewing ring of the artificial heart valve. Accordingly, when a surgeon inserts the sizer into a valve annulus, the resilient member conforms to the shape of the valve annulus much like the sewing ring will conform when positioned in the annulus and sewn in place. The surgeon is therefore able to determine more accurately the size of the annulus and, thereafter, to select a properly sized artificial valve.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Rhee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:08
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2496; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/107; A61B5/1076
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A sizer for measuring a valve annulus to determine a size of an artificial heart valve to be sewn in the valve annulus during heart-valve replacement surgery, the artificial heart valve including a sewing ring having a resiliency, said sizer comprising: a support member having an annulus measuring body with a length sufficient for insertion into a heart valve annulus and a retainer provided on a periphery of the support member adjacent to the annulus measuring body; and a resilient member removable from and held within the retainer of said support member so as to project outward to a size greater than that of the annulus measuring body; said resilient member having a resiliency substantially the same as the resiliency of the sewing ring of the artificial heart valve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
A sizer for measuring a valve annulus to determine a size of an artificial heart valve to be sewn in the valve annulus during heart-valve replacement surgery, the artificial heart valve including a sewing ring having a resiliency, said sizer comprising: a support member having an annulus measuring body with a length sufficient for insertion into a heart valve annulus and a retainer provided on a periphery of the support member adjacent to the annulus measuring body; and a resilient member removable from and held within the retainer of said support member so as to project outward to a size greater than that of the annulus measuring body; said resilient member having a resiliency substantially the same as the resiliency of the sewing ring of the artificial heart valve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A sizer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said annulus measuring body is cylindrical and has an outer diameter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A sizer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said retainer comprises a concave peripheral recess for retaining said resilient member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A sizer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said support member includes an attaching portion for attaching to a handle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A sizer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said resilient member is configured substantially the same as the sewing ring of the artificial heart valve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A sizer as claimed in claim 5 wherein said resilient member is substantially toroidal in configuration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A sizer as claimed in claim 5 wherein said resilient member is three-dimensional in configuration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A sizer as claimed in claim 7 wherein said resilient member is scalloped.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A sizer as claimed in claim 5 wherein said resilient member has an elliptical cross-section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A sizer as claimed in claim 5 wherein said resilient member has a substantially triangular cross-section with a convex inner side.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
79 words
A sizer for measuring a valve annulus, said sizer comprising: a support member having a length and a distal portion and a proximal portion spaced along the length, and a periphery sized for insertion distal portion first into a heart valve annulus; and a resilient member disposed about and extending outward from the periphery of the proximal portion of said support member; said resilient member being adapted to conform to the shape of the valve annulus when urged thereagainst.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
79 words
A sizer for measuring a valve annulus, said sizer comprising: a support member having a length and a distal portion and a proximal portion spaced along the length, and a periphery sized for insertion distal portion first into a heart valve annulus; and a resilient member disposed about and extending outward from the periphery of the proximal portion of said support member; said resilient member being adapted to conform to the shape of the valve annulus when urged thereagainst.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A sizer as claimed in claim 11 wherein said support member is attachable to a surgical handle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
A sizer as claimed in claim 11 wherein said support member is substantially rigid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
A sizer as claimed in claim 11 wherein said support member is resilient.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
A sizer as claimed in claim 11 wherein said resilient member is integral with said support member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A sizer as claimed in claim 11 wherein said resilient member is removable from said support member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A sizer as claimed in claim 16 wherein said support member includes a peripheral groove sized to receive the resilient member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
A sizer as claimed in claim 17 wherein said peripheral groove is three-dimensional in configuration.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
A sizer as claimed in claim 17 wherein said peripheral groove is scalloped.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
A sizer as claimed in claim 11 wherein said support member has a cylindrical distal body and a peripheral retainer disposed about a proximal end thereof, wherein said resilient member is held by and removable from the peripheral retainer.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
162 words
A method for measuring a size of a valve annulus to determine a proper size of an artificial valve when replacing a natural heart valve of a heart, said method comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of artificial heart valves, each of said artificial heart valves having a resilient sewing ring of unique size; providing a plurality of sizers, each of said sizers including a support member and a resilient member disposed about a periphery of said support member, each said resilient member of said sizers having a size corresponding to that of one of said artificial heart valves; selecting one of said sizers to define a selected sizer; attaching a handle to said support member of said selected sizer; inserting said selected sizer into the valve opening; determining whether said selected sizer approximates the size of the valve annulus; and selecting an artificial heart valve which has a sewing ring with a size corresponding to that of said attached sizer.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
162 words
A method for measuring a size of a valve annulus to determine a proper size of an artificial valve when replacing a natural heart valve of a heart, said method comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of artificial heart valves, each of said artificial heart valves having a resilient sewing ring of unique size; providing a plurality of sizers, each of said sizers including a support member and a resilient member disposed about a periphery of said support member, each said resilient member of said sizers having a size corresponding to that of one of said artificial heart valves; selecting one of said sizers to define a selected sizer; attaching a handle to said support member of said selected sizer; inserting said selected sizer into the valve opening; determining whether said selected sizer approximates the size of the valve annulus; and selecting an artificial heart valve which has a sewing ring with a size corresponding to that of said attached sizer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 21 wherein the step of providing a plurality of sizers includes providing more than one resilient member for each sizer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 21 wherein the resilient members provided for each sizer have different cross-sectional shapes.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
108 words
A surgical apparatus for measuring a valve opening to determine a proper size of an artificial heart valve during heart-valve replacement surgery, the artificial heart valve including a sewing ring having a resiliency and a configuration, said surgical apparatus comprising: a handle; and a sizer having at most two separate elements including a support member connectable to said handle and having a cylindrical portion long enough for insertion into a heart valve annulus and a resilient member disposed about a periphery of said support member adjacent the cylindrical portion; said resilient member having resiliency substantially equivalent to the resiliency of the sewing ring of the artificial heart valve.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
108 words
A surgical apparatus for measuring a valve opening to determine a proper size of an artificial heart valve during heart-valve replacement surgery, the artificial heart valve including a sewing ring having a resiliency and a configuration, said surgical apparatus comprising: a handle; and a sizer having at most two separate elements including a support member connectable to said handle and having a cylindrical portion long enough for insertion into a heart valve annulus and a resilient member disposed about a periphery of said support member adjacent the cylindrical portion; said resilient member having resiliency substantially equivalent to the resiliency of the sewing ring of the artificial heart valve.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
Surgical apparatus as claimed in claim 24 wherein said resilient member has a cross-sectional shape substantially the same as the configuration of the sewing ring.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
Surgical apparatus as claimed in claim 24 further comprising a plurality of said sizers, said plurality of said sizers including sizers of different size.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-02-25 | 2005-08-27 | 2006-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-02-25 | 2009-08-27 | 2010-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-02-25 | 2013-08-27 | 2014-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |