Methods and devices for improving mitral valve function

a technology of mitral valve and function, applied in the field of methods for improving the function of mitral valve, can solve the problems of valve leakage, worsening valve dysfunction, and affecting the function of valves, and achieve the effect of less risk for patients and minimal invasiveness

a technology of mitral valve and function, applied in the field of methods for improving the function of mitral valve, can solve the problems of valve leakage, worsening valve dysfunction, and affecting the function of valves, and achieve the effect of less risk for patients and minimal invasiveness

US20050075723A1Inactive Publication Date: 2005-04-07EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES LLC
99 Cites 344 Cited by

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Methods and devices for improving mitral valve function
  • Methods and devices for improving mitral valve function
  • Methods and devices for improving mitral valve function

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0081] The various aspects of the invention to be discussed herein generally pertain to devices and methods for treating heart conditions, including, for example, dilatation, valve incompetencies, including mitral valve leakage, and other similar heart failure conditions. Each device of the present invention preferably operates passively in that, once placed in the heart, it does not require an active stimulus, either mechanical, electrical, or otherwise, to function. Implanting one or more of the devices of the present invention operates to assist in the apposition of heart valve leaflets to improve valve function. In addition, these devices may either be placed in conjunction with other devices that, or may themselves function to, alter the shape or geometry of the heart, locally and / or globally, and thereby further increase the heart's efficiency. That is, the heart experiences an increased pumping efficiency through an alteration in its shape or geometry and concomitant reductio...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

PUM

No PUM Login to View More

Abstract

The various aspects of the invention pertain to devices and related methods for treating heart conditions, including, for example, dilatation, valve incompetencies, including mitral valve leakage, and other similar heart failure conditions. The devices and related methods of the present invention operate to assist in the apposition of heart valve leaflets to improve valve function. According to one aspect of the invention, a method improves the function of a valve of a heart by placing an elongate member transverse a heart chamber so that each end of the elongate member extends through a wall of the heart, and placing first and second anchoring members external the chamber. The first and second anchoring members are attached to first and second ends of the elongate member to fix the elongate member in a position across the chamber so as to reposition papillary muscles within the chamber. Also described herein is a method for placing a splint assembly transverse a heart chamber by advancing an elongate member through vasculature structure and into the heart chamber.

Description

[0001] This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10 / 762,513 filed Jan. 23, 2004 of Richard SCHROEDER et al. for METHODS AND DEVICES FOR IMPROVING MITRAL VALVE FUNCTION, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09 / 680,435 filed Oct. 6, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,723,038 of Richard SCHROEDER et al. for METHODS AND DEVICES FOR IMPROVING MITRAL VALVE FUNCTION, the complete disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to devices and related methods for improving the function of heart valves, and more particularly to devices and related methods that passively assist in the apposition of heart valve leaflets to improve valve function of poorly functioning valves. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Heart failure is a condition whereby the left ventricle becomes enlarged and dilated as a result of numerous etiologies. Initial causes of heart failure include c...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

Application Information

Patent Timeline
07 Apr 2005
Publication
US20050075723A1
IPC
A61B17/00; A61B17/04; A61B17/122; A61F2/04; A61F2/24
CPC
A61B17/00234; A61B17/1227; A61B2017/00243; A61F2/2487; A61B2017/048; A61B2017/0496; A61F2/2481; A61B2017/0404
Inventors
SCHROEDER, RICHARD; VIDLUND, ROBERT