US7569062B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mitral and tricuspid valve repair
Assignee: St Jude Medical LLC
•
Filing: 2000-10-23
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Granted: 2009-08-04
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Expires: 2020-10-23
Abstract
Abstract A novel approach to mitral or tricuspid valve repair involves the performance of an edge-to-edge fastening/securing of opposing heart valve leaflets through a catheter entering the heart. Thus, a device is introduced including a leaflet fastener applicator through a cardiac catheter or other suitable catheter. The leaflet fastener applicator and cardiac catheter can be formed into a kit. A gripper can be used to hold the heart valve leaflets while they are fastened.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen T. Kuehn
- 👤 Thomas F. Hinnenkamp
- 👤 William R. Holmberg
- 👤 Darrin J. Bergman
- 👤 Terry L. Shepherd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:23
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/064; A61B17/0643; A61B17/068; A61B17/12; A61B17/122; A61B17/1227; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00353; A61B2017/00743; A61B2017/00778; A61B2017/00783; A61B2017/00982; A61B2017/00986; A61B2017/0647; A61B2017/2926; A61B2017/2932; A61B2017/2933; A61B2017/2939; A61B2017/294; A61B17/30; A61B2017/306; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2442; A61F2/2463
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A heart valve leaflet fastener comprising at least one pair of arms, at least one arm of the pair of arms having a tapered protrusion extending toward the other arm of the pair of arms and the other arm of the at least one pair of arms having a tapered slot for accepting the tapered protrusion therein for fastening two adjacent tissue heart valve leaflets, wherein the arms pivot from one orientation to a gripping position with ends of respective paired arms being directed toward each other such that the tapered protrusion positions within the tapered slot to grip the two adjacent tissue heart valve leaflets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A heart valve leaflet fastener comprising at least one pair of arms, at least one arm of the pair of arms having a tapered protrusion extending toward the other arm of the pair of arms and the other arm of the at least one pair of arms having a tapered slot for accepting the tapered protrusion therein for fastening two adjacent tissue heart valve leaflets, wherein the arms pivot from one orientation to a gripping position with ends of respective paired arms being directed toward each other such that the tapered protrusion positions within the tapered slot to grip the two adjacent tissue heart valve leaflets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
A kit comprising a cardiac catheter, a fastener applicator and a leaflet fastener of claim 1 , the cardiac catheter having suitable dimensions for deployment and insertion into a human heart in the vicinity of the mitral or tricuspid valve, the leaflet fastener having a size allowing insertion through the cardiac catheter, the fastener applicator releasably holding the leaflet fastener.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The kit of claim 2 wherein the paired arms comprise gripping elements that extend toward each other when the fastener is in a gripping position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The kit of claim 2 wherein the arms flex to a low profile position to fit within the cardiac catheter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The kit of claim 2 wherein the arms pivot between a low profile position and an unconstrained extended position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The kit of claim 2 wherein the fastener applicator comprises a shaft and a bayonet fastener that releasably holds the leaflet fastener on the shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The kit of claim 2 wherein the fastener applicator comprises a shaft and a latch that releasably holds the leaflet fastener on the shaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
A device comprising a catheter, a leaflet fastener applicator and a leaflet fastener of claim 1 , the catheter having a proximal end, a distal end and suitable dimensions for insertion into a heart, the leaflet fastener applicator passing through the catheter being actuatable from the proximal end of the catheter and a fastening element projecting from the distal end of the catheter, the leaflet fastener applicator releasably holding the leaflet fastener.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
103 words
A heart valve repair instrument comprising a shaft, a cap, a gripper and a flexible rod, wherein the gripper comprises a plurality of arms radiating from a pivot with each arm having a spike, wherein the cap is located distal to the pivot and the pivot is located distal to the shaft, and wherein the flexible rod connects to the cap to provide for movement of the cap relative to the pivot of the gripper and the shaft by pulling the flexible rod, the cap having an opening that can be positioned over the pivot to lock the arms in a closed position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
103 words
A heart valve repair instrument comprising a shaft, a cap, a gripper and a flexible rod, wherein the gripper comprises a plurality of arms radiating from a pivot with each arm having a spike, wherein the cap is located distal to the pivot and the pivot is located distal to the shaft, and wherein the flexible rod connects to the cap to provide for movement of the cap relative to the pivot of the gripper and the shaft by pulling the flexible rod, the cap having an opening that can be positioned over the pivot to lock the arms in a closed position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The instrument of claim 9 wherein the pivot is formed from spring metal or memory metal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The instrument of claim 10 wherein the memory metal comprises a nickel alloy.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The instrument of claim 10 wherein the memory metal is selected from the group consisting of cobalt-chromium-nickel-molybdenum alloy, MP35N, nickel-titanium alloy, stainless steel and spring metal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The instrument of claim 10 wherein the plurality of arms comprises two pairs of arms wherein pairs of arms are connected by a resilient web.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The instrument of claim 13 wherein the web is covered with fabric.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
The instrument of claim 9 wherein the pivot comprises a hinge.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
The instrument of claim 15 wherein the hinge comprises a spring.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The instrument of claim 9 wherein the flexible rod has a disengaging mechanism that releasably connects the cap to the rod.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The instrument of claim 9 wherein the arms are biased to an extended position due to expansive forces at the pivot and further comprising strands that connect the shaft with the arms to constrain the extension of the arms.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The instrument of claim 9 wherein the cap comprises a ridge and the gripper comprise a bump positioned to engage the ridge in the locked position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
100 words
A fastening member comprising a cap and a gripper configured to grip a tissue heart valve leaflet, the cap being slideable relative to the gripper, wherein the gripper comprises a plurality of arms radiating from a pivot, with at least a first arm having a tapered spike, and at least a second arm having a plurality of spikes such that a tapered slot is formed between the plurality of spikes, wherein the pivot is inserted within an opening in the cap to lock the arms in a collapsed gripping position such that the tapered spike positions within the tapered slot.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
100 words
A fastening member comprising a cap and a gripper configured to grip a tissue heart valve leaflet, the cap being slideable relative to the gripper, wherein the gripper comprises a plurality of arms radiating from a pivot, with at least a first arm having a tapered spike, and at least a second arm having a plurality of spikes such that a tapered slot is formed between the plurality of spikes, wherein the pivot is inserted within an opening in the cap to lock the arms in a collapsed gripping position such that the tapered spike positions within the tapered slot.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The fastening member of claim 20 wherein the cap comprises a locking mechanism that engages the gripper to lock the gripper in a locked position.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
49 words
The fastening member of claim 20 wherein the cap comprises a slot, and wherein the gripper is held by stops within the slot such that the gripper can slide within the slot to alter the extension of the gripper with the stops preventing separation of the cap and gripper.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
A kit comprising the fastening member of claim 20 and a flexible rod, the flexible rod has a disengaging mechanism that permits the flexible rod to releasably hold the cap.
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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) | 2012-08-03 | 2013-02-02 | 2013-08-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2016-08-03 | 2017-02-02 | 2017-08-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2020-08-03 | 2021-02-02 | 2021-08-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |