Methods for treating cardiac valves using magnetic fields

US20050288783A1Inactive Publication Date: 2005-12-29MICARDIA CORP
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2005-12-29
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

Methods and devices are provided for support of a body structure. The devices can be adjusted within the body of a patient in a minimally invasive or non-invasive manner such as by applying energy percutaneously or external to the patient's body. The energy may include, for example, acoustic energy, radio frequency energy, light energy and magnetic energy. Thus, as the body structure changes size and / or shape, the size and / or shape of the annuloplasty rings can be adjusted to provide continued reinforcement. In certain embodiments, a method for treating a cardiac valve includes providing an annuloplasty ring having a first size of a dimension in a first configuration and a second size of the dimension in a second configuration. In the first configuration, the method includes attaching the annuloplasty ring to or near a valve annulus in a heart. The method also includes applying energy from a magnetic resonance imaging device to the annuloplasty ring which responds to the energy by transforming from the first configuration to the second configuration.
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Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 584,432, filed Jun. 29, 2004, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to methods and devices for reinforcing dysfunctional heart valves and other body structures. More specifically, the present invention relates to annuloplasty rings that can be adjusted within the body of a patient.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] The circulatory system of mammals includes the heart and the interconnecting vessels throughout the body that include both veins and arteries. The human heart includes four chambers, which are the left and right atrium and the left and right ventricles. The mitral valve, which allows blood flow in one direction, is positioned between the left ventricle and left atrium. The tricuspid valve is positioned between...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0069] The present invention involves systems and methods for reinforcing dysfunctional heart valves and other body structures with adjustable rings. In certain embodiments, an adjustable annuloplasty ring is implanted into the body of a patient such as a human or other animal. The adjustable annuloplasty ring is implanted through an incision or body opening either thoracically (e.g., open-heart surgery) or percutaneously (e.g., via a femoral artery or vein, or other arteries or veins) as is known to someone skilled in the art. The adjustable annuloplasty ring is attached to the annulus of a heart valve to improve leaflet coaptation and to reduce regurgitation. The annuloplasty ring may be selected from one or more shapes comprising a round or circular shape, an oval shape, a C-shape, a D-shape, a U-shape, an open circle shape, an open oval shape, and other curvilinear shapes.

[0070] The size of the annuloplasty ring can be adjusted postoperatively to compensate for changes in the s...