US7186262B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and methods for treating tissue
Assignee: Auris Health Inc
•
Filing: 2002-07-03
•
Granted: 2007-03-06
•
Expires: 2022-07-03
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and methods are provided for thermally and/or mechanically treating tissue, such as valvular structures, to reconfigure or shrink the tissue in a controlled manner. Mechanical clips are implanted over the leaflets of a valve, e.g., in the heart, either alone or after thermal treatment to cause the valve to close more tightly. The clips are delivered by a catheter and may be configured to traverse directly over the valve itself or to lie partially over the periphery of the valve to prevent obstruction of the valve channel. The clips can be coated with drugs or a radiopaque coating. Alternatively, individual anchors with a tensioning element, like a suture, may be used to approximate the valves towards each other. The catheter can also incorporate sensors or energy delivery devices, e.g., transducers, on its distal end.
Inventors
- 👤 Vahid Saadat
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:02
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B17/00; A61B17/04; A61B17/0401; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1442; A61B18/1477; A61B18/1492; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B18/24; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2442; A61F2/2445; A61B17/0469; A61B17/0487; A61B17/12; A61B17/122; A61B17/128; A61B17/1285; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00084; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00243; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00867; A61B2017/0409; A61B2017/0412; A61B2017/0414; A61B2017/0427; A61B2017/0437; A61B2017/044; A61B2017/0446; A61B2017/0448; A61B2017/0451; A61B2017/0454; A61B2017/0458; A61B2017/0461; A61B2017/0464; A61B2017/0496; A61B2017/2926; A61B2017/2945; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00011; A61B2018/00023; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00059; A61B2018/00071; A61B2018/00083; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/0022; A61B2018/00232; A61B2018/00273; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00345; A61B2018/00351; A61B2018/00369; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B2018/00797; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/1253; A61B2018/126; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1425; A61B2018/1432; A61B2018/1435; A61B90/00; A61B90/06; A61B2090/064; A61B90/39; A61F2/2451; A61F2/2454; A61N; A61N7/00; A61N7/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
An assembly for treating tissue near a valve to modify flow through the valve, comprising: a plurality of anchor members each having a distal end adapted for insertion into the tissue surrounding the valve and a proximal end defining an opening therethrough; and a tensioning element for passage through each opening of the plurality of anchor members, wherein the plurality of anchor members is aligned sequentially within a catheter whereby each anchor member is deployed sequentially with the tensioning element into the tissue through the catheter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
An assembly for treating tissue near a valve to modify flow through the valve, comprising: a plurality of anchor members each having a distal end adapted for insertion into the tissue surrounding the valve and a proximal end defining an opening therethrough; and a tensioning element for passage through each opening of the plurality of anchor members, wherein the plurality of anchor members is aligned sequentially within a catheter whereby each anchor member is deployed sequentially with the tensioning element into the tissue through the catheter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the distal end of each of the anchor members is barbed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the proximal end of each of the anchor members is indented.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the anchor members each define at least one notch along a length of the member adjacent to the opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the anchor members each define a sharpened edge at least partially around the opening.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the distal end of the anchor members is bioabsorbable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the distal end of the anchor members is rotatable relative to the proximal end of the anchor members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the anchor members each define at least one retractable arm which is adapted to pivot radially when deployed from the catheter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The assembly of claim 8 wherein a ratio of a diameter of the deployed anchor member to a diameter of the anchor member is between about 2:1 to 50:1.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the catheter further comprises an elongate cartridge therewithin, the cartridge having a proximal end, a distal end, and a length therebetween and adapted to deliver and deploy the plurality of anchor members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The assembly of claim 10 wherein the plurality of anchor members is disposed longitudinally adjacent to one another within the cartridge.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The assembly of claim 10 wherein the cartridge further comprises a release port at the distal end of the cartridge, the release port being adapted to deploy a single anchor member at a time.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The assembly of claim 10 wherein the cartridge further defines a pushing surface at the distal end which is adapted to deploy the anchor members.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The assembly of claim 10 wherein the cartridge defines a longitudinal slot formed along the length of the cartridge.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a fastener adapted to maintain a tensile force within the tensioning element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The assembly of claim 15 wherein the fastener is adapted to allow unidirectional tensioning within the tensioning element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The assembly of claim 15 wherein the fastener comprises a ratchet biased to remain in contact with the tensioning element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a heating element in selective contact with a portion of the tensioning element for severing the tensioning element.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein the tensioning element comprises a suture or a wire.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein each of the anchor members is at least partially coated with a coating layer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The assembly of claim 20 wherein the coating layer comprises a therapeutic or antimicrobial agent.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The assembly of claim 20 wherein the coating layer comprises a radiopaque layer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The assembly of claim 22 wherein the radiopaque layer is selected from the group consisting of Nickel-Titanium alloy, Platinum, Palladium, Gold, and Tantalum.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of treating tissue near a valve to modify flow through the valve, comprising: advancing a catheter to the tissue near the valve; deploying a plurality of anchor members from a distal end of the catheter selectively around a perimeter of the valve, each of the anchor members being connected sequentially via a tensioning element passed through an opening defined in each member; tightening the tensioning element such that the perimeter of the valve is approximated towards one another; and securing the tensioning element such that the perimeter of the valve remains approximated.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of treating tissue near a valve to modify flow through the valve, comprising: advancing a catheter to the tissue near the valve; deploying a plurality of anchor members from a distal end of the catheter selectively around a perimeter of the valve, each of the anchor members being connected sequentially via a tensioning element passed through an opening defined in each member; tightening the tensioning element such that the perimeter of the valve is approximated towards one another; and securing the tensioning element such that the perimeter of the valve remains approximated.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 24 wherein advancing the catheter comprises intralumenally advancing the catheter to the valve.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 25 wherein advancing the catheter comprises intralumenally advancing the catheter into a heart.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 24 wherein deploying the plurality of anchor members comprises sequentially advancing each of the anchor members from the catheter distal end via an actuator.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 24 wherein tightening the tensioning element comprises pulling the tensioning element from a proximal end of the element.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 24 further comprising severing the tensioning element.
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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) | 2010-03-05 | 2010-09-04 | 2011-03-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-03-05 | 2014-09-04 | 2015-03-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-03-05 | 2018-09-04 | 2019-03-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |