Single-ring cardiac valve support

Abstract

The present invention is primarily directed a prosthetic cardiac valve support device adapted for endovascular delivery to a cardiac valve, comprising a single ring-shaped support element having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, wherein said support element has an outer perimeter that is entirely rigid, wherein said support element is fitted with one or more intraventricular and / or intra-atrial stabilizing elements, and wherein said support element has a collapsed delivery configuration and a deployed configuration.

Description

Background technique [0001] Heart valve regurgitation occurs when the heart valve leaflets do not close completely during systole. As the heart contracts, blood backs up through the valve leaflets that don't close properly. For example, mitral regurgitation occurs when blood regurgitates through the mitral valve and into the left atrium during ventricular contraction. [0002] In some cases, regurgitation occurs due to leaflet disease (eg, primary or "organic" regurgitation). Regurgitation can also be caused by dilation of the left ventricle, which causes secondary dilation of the mitral annulus. The dilation of the annulus causes the leaflets of the mitral valve to spread apart and create poor tip cooptation and secondary leakage, or so called "functional regurgitation". [0003] Currently, primary regurgitation is corrected by modifying the native valve leaflets, eg, by clips, sutures, hooks, etc., to allow them to close completely during systole. When the disease is too...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, the degenerative changes normally found in the aortic valve are not present in the regurgitation experienced by the mitral valve, and the mitral valve annulus is therefore usually thinner than that of a diseased aortic valve

The thinner mitral annulus makes it relatively difficult to properly position the replacement mitral valve in the native mitral annulus

The general anatomy of the mitral annulus also makes it difficult to properly hold a replacement mitral valve in place

However, adding a constricted placement profile would make intravascular placement more risky for the patient and difficult to advance through the vasculature with larger diameter placement systems

[0008] Some attempts have been made to place and implant a one-piece replacement mitral valve, but it has been difficult to provide a device that can be collapsed with a small enough deployment profile and still be expandable and fixed in the mitral valve via the vascular access site. bit device

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