US6702826B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automated annular plication for mitral valve repair
Assignee: Viacor Inc
•
Filing: 2001-06-22
•
Granted: 2004-03-09
•
Expires: 2021-06-22
Abstract
Abstract A novel system for performing a heart valve annuloplasty. The system involves the use of a plication band. In one embodiment, the annulus of the valve is reduced by constriction of the plication band itself. More particularly, each plication band enters the tissue at two or more points which are spaced from one other by a distance which is dictated by the geometry of the plication band. Subsequent constriction of the plication band causes these points to move toward each other, thereby constricting the tissue trapped between these points and thus reducing the overall circumference of the valve annulus. In a second embodiment, the annulus of the valve is reduced by linking multiple plication bands to one other, using a linkage construct, and then using a shortening of the length of the linkage construct between each plication band so as to gather the tissue between each plication band, whereby to reduce the overall circumference of the valve annulus.
Inventors
- 👤 John R. Liddicoat
- 👤 Gregory H. Lambrecht
- 👤 Richard B. Streeter
- 👤 Steven B. Woolfson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/068; A61B17/0682; A61B17/0684; A61B17/00234; A61B17/064; A61B17/0644; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2442; A61F2/2445; A61B17/04; A61B17/0466; A61B2017/00004; A61B2017/00743; A61B2017/00778; A61B2017/00783; A61B17/0401; A61B2017/0414; A61B2017/0496; A61B2017/0641; A61F2/2466
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
Apparatus for effecting a desired geometric change in the annulus of a heart valve, said apparatus comprising: a plication band comprising: first and second legs each having a first end, said first ends of said first and second legs having a tissue piercing configuration; and a bridge having first and second ends, said first end of said bridge being connected to said first leg and said second end of said bridge being connected to said second leg such that said first ends of said first and second legs are separated by a first given distance; said bridge being configured such that when said first ends of said first and second legs have pierced tissue at said first given distance, said bridge may be deformed so as to cause said first ends of said first and second legs to move toward one another so as to thereafter be separated by a second, shorter given distance, whereby said first and second legs gather together the pierced tissue to effect a desired geometric change in the annulus of the heart valve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
Apparatus for effecting a desired geometric change in the annulus of a heart valve, said apparatus comprising: a plication band comprising: first and second legs each having a first end, said first ends of said first and second legs having a tissue piercing configuration; and a bridge having first and second ends, said first end of said bridge being connected to said first leg and said second end of said bridge being connected to said second leg such that said first ends of said first and second legs are separated by a first given distance; said bridge being configured such that when said first ends of said first and second legs have pierced tissue at said first given distance, said bridge may be deformed so as to cause said first ends of said first and second legs to move toward one another so as to thereafter be separated by a second, shorter given distance, whereby said first and second legs gather together the pierced tissue to effect a desired geometric change in the annulus of the heart valve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said bridge may be deformed so as to cause said first ends to point in opposition to one another.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said bridge further comprises a through-hole for receiving a linking construct whereby said plication band may be linked to an adjacent plication band.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said bridge is crimpable so as to capture said linking construct within said through-hole.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said through-hole has a circular configuration so as to receive a round filament.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A plication band according to claim 3 wherein said through-hole has a elongated configuration so as to receive a flat strap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
195 words
Apparatus for effecting a desired geometric change the annulus of a heart valve, said apparatus comprising: first and second plication bands, each said plication band comprising: first and second legs each having a first end, said first ends of said first and second legs having a tissue piercing configuration; and a bridge having first and second ends, said first end of said bridge being connected to said first leg and said second end of said bridge being connected to said second leg such that said first ends of said first and second legs are separated by a first given distance; said bridge being configured such that when said first ends of said first and second legs have pierced tissue at said first given distance, said bridge may be deformed so as to cause said first ends of said first and second legs to move toward one another so as to thereafter be separated by a second, shorter given distance, whereby said first and second legs gather together the pierced tissue to effect a desired geometric change in the annulus of the heart valve; and a linking construct connected to said first and second plication bands.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
195 words
Apparatus for effecting a desired geometric change the annulus of a heart valve, said apparatus comprising: first and second plication bands, each said plication band comprising: first and second legs each having a first end, said first ends of said first and second legs having a tissue piercing configuration; and a bridge having first and second ends, said first end of said bridge being connected to said first leg and said second end of said bridge being connected to said second leg such that said first ends of said first and second legs are separated by a first given distance; said bridge being configured such that when said first ends of said first and second legs have pierced tissue at said first given distance, said bridge may be deformed so as to cause said first ends of said first and second legs to move toward one another so as to thereafter be separated by a second, shorter given distance, whereby said first and second legs gather together the pierced tissue to effect a desired geometric change in the annulus of the heart valve; and a linking construct connected to said first and second plication bands.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the bridge of each plication band may be deformed so as to cause said first ends of that plication band to point in opposition to one another.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the bridge of each plication band further comprises a through-hole for receiving said linking construct.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the bridge of each plication band is crimpable so as to capture said linking construct within said through-hole.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said linking construct comprises a round filament, and further wherein said through-holes have a circular configuration so as to receive said round filament.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said linking construct comprises a flat strap, and further wherein said through-holes have an elongated configuration so as to receive said flat strap.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said linking construct comprises a resilient material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said linking construct comprises a formable material such that said formable material can be set into a desired shape.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said linking construct is permanently connected to said first and second plication bands.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said linking construct comprises a linear linkage extending between said first and second plication bands.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said linking construct comprises a linkage strip extending between said first and second plication bands.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said linking construct comprises a linkage rod extending between said first and second plication bands.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
220 words
A method for reducing the circumference of the annulus of a heart valve, said method comprising the steps of: providing apparatus for effecting a desired geometric change in the annulus of a heart valve, said apparatus comprising: a plication band comprising: first and second legs each having a first end, said first ends of said first and second legs having a tissue piercing configuration; and a bridge having first and second ends, said first end of said bridge being connected to said first leg and said second end of said bridge being connected to said second leg such that said first ends of said first and second legs are separated by a first given distance; said bridge being configured such that when said first ends of said first and second legs have pierced tissue at said first given distance, said bridge may be deformed so as to cause said first ends of said first and second legs to move toward one another so as to thereafter be separated by a second, shorter given distance, whereby said first and second legs gather together the pierced tissue to effect a desired geometric change in the annulus of the heart valve; and deploying the plication band into the annulus of the heart valve so as to reduce the circumference of the heart valve.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
220 words
A method for reducing the circumference of the annulus of a heart valve, said method comprising the steps of: providing apparatus for effecting a desired geometric change in the annulus of a heart valve, said apparatus comprising: a plication band comprising: first and second legs each having a first end, said first ends of said first and second legs having a tissue piercing configuration; and a bridge having first and second ends, said first end of said bridge being connected to said first leg and said second end of said bridge being connected to said second leg such that said first ends of said first and second legs are separated by a first given distance; said bridge being configured such that when said first ends of said first and second legs have pierced tissue at said first given distance, said bridge may be deformed so as to cause said first ends of said first and second legs to move toward one another so as to thereafter be separated by a second, shorter given distance, whereby said first and second legs gather together the pierced tissue to effect a desired geometric change in the annulus of the heart valve; and deploying the plication band into the annulus of the heart valve so as to reduce the circumference of the heart valve.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 19 wherein said apparatus comprises a plurality of plication bands, with said plurality of plication bands being sequentially deployed into the annulus of heart valve.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
258 words
A method for reducing the circumference of the annulus of a heart valve, said method comprising the steps of: providing apparatus for effecting a desired geometric change in the annulus of a heart valve, said apparatus comprising: first and second plication bands, each said plication band comprising: first and second legs each having a first end, said first ends of said first and second legs having a tissue piercing configuration; and a bridge having first and second ends, said first end of said bridge being connected to said first leg and said second end of said bridge being connected to said second leg such that said first ends of said first and second legs are separated by a first given distance; said bridge being configured such that when said first ends of said first and second legs have pierced tissue at said first given distance, said bridge may be deformed so as to cause said first ends of said first and second legs to move toward one another so as to thereafter be separated by a second, shorter given distance, whereby said first and second legs gather together the pierced tissue to effect a desired geometric change in the annulus of the heart valve; and a linking construct connected to said first and second plication bands; deploying said first plication band in tissue; tensioning said linkage construct; deploying said second plication band in tissue; and releasing the tension on said linkage construct, whereupon said linkage construct will further reduce the circumference of the annulus of the heart valve.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
258 words
A method for reducing the circumference of the annulus of a heart valve, said method comprising the steps of: providing apparatus for effecting a desired geometric change in the annulus of a heart valve, said apparatus comprising: first and second plication bands, each said plication band comprising: first and second legs each having a first end, said first ends of said first and second legs having a tissue piercing configuration; and a bridge having first and second ends, said first end of said bridge being connected to said first leg and said second end of said bridge being connected to said second leg such that said first ends of said first and second legs are separated by a first given distance; said bridge being configured such that when said first ends of said first and second legs have pierced tissue at said first given distance, said bridge may be deformed so as to cause said first ends of said first and second legs to move toward one another so as to thereafter be separated by a second, shorter given distance, whereby said first and second legs gather together the pierced tissue to effect a desired geometric change in the annulus of the heart valve; and a linking construct connected to said first and second plication bands; deploying said first plication band in tissue; tensioning said linkage construct; deploying said second plication band in tissue; and releasing the tension on said linkage construct, whereupon said linkage construct will further reduce the circumference of the annulus of the heart valve.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
261 words
A method for reducing the circumference of the annulus of a heart valve, said method comprising the steps of: providing apparatus for effecting a desired geometric change in the annulus of a heart valve, said apparatus comprising: first and second plication bands, each said plication band comprising: first and second legs each having a first end, said first ends of said first and second legs having a tissue piercing configuration; and a bridge having first and second ends, said first end of said bridge being connected to said first leg and said second end of said bridge being connected to said second leg such that said first ends of said first and second legs are separated by a first given distance; said bridge being configured such that when said first ends of said first and second legs have pierced tissue at said first given distance, said bridge may be deformed so as to cause said first ends of said first and second legs to move toward one another so as to thereafter be separated by a second, shorter given distance, whereby said first and second legs gather together the pierced tissue to effect a desired geometric change in the annulus of the heart valve; and a linking construct connected to said first and second plication bands; deploying said first plication band in tissue, and deploying said second plication band in tissue; and deforming said linkage construct so as to draw said first and second plication bands together so as to further reduce the circumference of the annulus of the heart valve.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
261 words
A method for reducing the circumference of the annulus of a heart valve, said method comprising the steps of: providing apparatus for effecting a desired geometric change in the annulus of a heart valve, said apparatus comprising: first and second plication bands, each said plication band comprising: first and second legs each having a first end, said first ends of said first and second legs having a tissue piercing configuration; and a bridge having first and second ends, said first end of said bridge being connected to said first leg and said second end of said bridge being connected to said second leg such that said first ends of said first and second legs are separated by a first given distance; said bridge being configured such that when said first ends of said first and second legs have pierced tissue at said first given distance, said bridge may be deformed so as to cause said first ends of said first and second legs to move toward one another so as to thereafter be separated by a second, shorter given distance, whereby said first and second legs gather together the pierced tissue to effect a desired geometric change in the annulus of the heart valve; and a linking construct connected to said first and second plication bands; deploying said first plication band in tissue, and deploying said second plication band in tissue; and deforming said linkage construct so as to draw said first and second plication bands together so as to further reduce the circumference of the annulus of the heart valve.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
234 words
A method for reducing the circumference of the annulus of a heart valve, said method comprising the steps of: providing apparatus for effecting a desired geometric change in the annulus of a heart valve, said apparatus comprising: a plication band comprising: first and second legs each having a first end, said first ends of said first and second legs having a tissue piercing configuration; and a bridge having first and second ends, said first end of said bridge being connected to said first leg and said second end of said bridge being connected to said second leg such that said first ends of said first and second legs are separated by a first given distance; said bridge being configured such that when said first ends of said first and second legs have pierced tissue at said first given distance, said bridge may be deformed so as to cause said first ends of said first and second legs to move toward one another so as to thereafter be separated by a second, shorter given distance, whereby said first and second legs gather together the pierced tissue to effect a desired geometric change in the annulus of the heart valve; positioning said plication band in said left atrium of the heart; and deploying said plication band into said annulus of the heart valve so as to reduce the circumference of the annulus of the heart valve.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
234 words
A method for reducing the circumference of the annulus of a heart valve, said method comprising the steps of: providing apparatus for effecting a desired geometric change in the annulus of a heart valve, said apparatus comprising: a plication band comprising: first and second legs each having a first end, said first ends of said first and second legs having a tissue piercing configuration; and a bridge having first and second ends, said first end of said bridge being connected to said first leg and said second end of said bridge being connected to said second leg such that said first ends of said first and second legs are separated by a first given distance; said bridge being configured such that when said first ends of said first and second legs have pierced tissue at said first given distance, said bridge may be deformed so as to cause said first ends of said first and second legs to move toward one another so as to thereafter be separated by a second, shorter given distance, whereby said first and second legs gather together the pierced tissue to effect a desired geometric change in the annulus of the heart valve; positioning said plication band in said left atrium of the heart; and deploying said plication band into said annulus of the heart valve so as to reduce the circumference of the annulus of the heart valve.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
239 words
A method for effecting a desired geometric change in the annulus of a heart valve, said method comprising the steps of: providing apparatus for effecting a desired geometric change in the annulus of a heart valve, said apparatus comprising: a plication band comprising: first and second legs each having a first end, said first ends of said first and second legs having a tissue piercing configuration; and a bridge having first and second ends, said first end of said first bridge being connected to said first leg and said second end of said bridge being connected to said second leg such that said first ends of said first and second legs are separated by first given distance; said bridge being configured such that when said first ends of said first and second legs have pierced tissue at said first given distance, said bridge may be deformed so as to cause said first ends of said first and second legs to move toward one another so as to thereafter be separated by a second, shorter given distance, whereby said first and second legs gather together the pierced tissue to effect a desired geometric change in the annulus of the heart valve; positioning said plication band in a vascular structure of the heart; and deploying said plication band into the side wall of the vascular structure so as to effect a desired geometric change in said annulus of the heart valve.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
239 words
A method for effecting a desired geometric change in the annulus of a heart valve, said method comprising the steps of: providing apparatus for effecting a desired geometric change in the annulus of a heart valve, said apparatus comprising: a plication band comprising: first and second legs each having a first end, said first ends of said first and second legs having a tissue piercing configuration; and a bridge having first and second ends, said first end of said first bridge being connected to said first leg and said second end of said bridge being connected to said second leg such that said first ends of said first and second legs are separated by first given distance; said bridge being configured such that when said first ends of said first and second legs have pierced tissue at said first given distance, said bridge may be deformed so as to cause said first ends of said first and second legs to move toward one another so as to thereafter be separated by a second, shorter given distance, whereby said first and second legs gather together the pierced tissue to effect a desired geometric change in the annulus of the heart valve; positioning said plication band in a vascular structure of the heart; and deploying said plication band into the side wall of the vascular structure so as to effect a desired geometric change in said annulus of the heart valve.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 24 wherein said vascular structure comprises at least one of the coronary sinus and the great cardiac vein.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
238 words
A method for effecting a desired geometric change in the annulus of a heart valve, said method comprising the steps of: providing apparatus for effecting a desired geometric change in the annulus of a heart valve, said apparatus comprising: a plication band comprising: first and second legs each having a first end, said first ends of said first and second legs having a tissue piercing configuration; and a bridge having first and second ends, said first end of said bridge being connected to said first leg and said second end of said bridge being connected to said second leg such that said first ends of said first and second legs are separated by a first given distance; said bridge being configured such that when said first ends of said first and second legs have pierced tissue at said first given distance, said bridge may be deformed so as to cause said first ends of said first and second legs to move toward one another so as to thereafter be separated by a second, shorter given distance, whereby said first and second legs gather together the pierced tissue to effect a desired geometric change in the annulus of the heart valve; positioning said plication band against an outside surface of the heart; and deploying said plication band into the outside surface of the heart so as to effect a desired geometric change in said annulus of the heart valve.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
238 words
A method for effecting a desired geometric change in the annulus of a heart valve, said method comprising the steps of: providing apparatus for effecting a desired geometric change in the annulus of a heart valve, said apparatus comprising: a plication band comprising: first and second legs each having a first end, said first ends of said first and second legs having a tissue piercing configuration; and a bridge having first and second ends, said first end of said bridge being connected to said first leg and said second end of said bridge being connected to said second leg such that said first ends of said first and second legs are separated by a first given distance; said bridge being configured such that when said first ends of said first and second legs have pierced tissue at said first given distance, said bridge may be deformed so as to cause said first ends of said first and second legs to move toward one another so as to thereafter be separated by a second, shorter given distance, whereby said first and second legs gather together the pierced tissue to effect a desired geometric change in the annulus of the heart valve; positioning said plication band against an outside surface of the heart; and deploying said plication band into the outside surface of the heart so as to effect a desired geometric change in said annulus of the heart valve.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 26 wherein said apparatus is incorporated into a cardiac restraint device for reducing the dilatation of the heart.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4505273A
Cited
US4841960A
Cited
US5236440A
Cited
US5540716A
Cited
US5450860A
Cited
US5709695A
Cited
US5947999A
Cited
US5993476A
Cited
US20020095167A1
Cited
US20030171776A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-03-09 | 2007-09-08 | 2008-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-03-09 | 2011-09-08 | 2012-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-03-09 | 2015-09-08 | 2016-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |