Sequential heart valve leaflet repair device and method of use

Abstract

A heart valve and tissue repair device for independently, selectively and sequentially grasping heart valve leaflets and independently, selectively and sequentially applying one or more fasteners thereto is disclosed. The device includes a leaflet engaging tip having one or more graspers capable of individually and sequentially grasping leaflets, and one or more deployable fasteners capable of fastening the leaflets. An actuation system for the device individually and selectively controls the graspers and deploys the one or more fasteners. Vacuum pressure from an external vacuum source can be used to grasp the leaflets via a selector system that controls the actuation system so as to individually and sequentially apply vacuum force to the graspers.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 106,583, filed Mar. 26, 2002, under the same title. This application discloses subject matter related to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 562,406, filed May 1, 2000, entitled “Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair Method And Apparatus”, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,930, and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 778,392, filed Feb. 6, 2001, entitled “Method and System for Tissue Repair Using Dual Catheters. The entire disclosures of the aforementioned United States patent applications are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] In vertebrate animals, the heart is a hollow muscular organ having four pumping chambers: the left atrium, the left ventricle, the right atrium and the right ventricle. The atria are isolated from their respective ventricles by one-way valves located at the respective atrial-ventricular junction...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] The present invention provides a device capable of effectively stabilizing at least one heart valve leaflets, or portions of a single leaflet, and applying a fastener thereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention enables a user to apply such a fastener in vivo to a remote location within the patient's heart.

[0030] In another aspect, the present invention discloses a method of repairing a heart valve having multiple leaflets. The method includes stabilizing a first leaflet with the repair device, deploying a first fastener element into the stabilized first leaflet, disengaging the first leaflet from the repair device while leaving the first fastener element deployed therein, stabilizing a second leaflet with the repair device, deploying a second fastener element into the second leaflet, disengaging the second leaflet from the repair device while leaving the second fastener element deployed therein, and joining the first and second leaflets by reducing the distance between the first and second fastener elements. Additional leaflet portions may also be attached in a similar manner.

Problems solved by technology

One common form of heart disease involves the deterioration or degradation of the heart valves which leads to stenosis and / or insufficiency.

Insufficiency is a condition in which the valve does not close properly.

For example, the highly invasive nature of the implantation procedure typically results in substantial patient discomfort and requires patients to remain hospitalized for extended recovery periods.

However, the operational lifetimes of tissue valves are typically shorter than mechanical valves and thus may require a subsequent replacement(s) during the patient's lifetime.

Although such annuloplasty procedures have become popular and well accepted, reshaping the surrounding annulus and traditional leaflet repairs do not always lead to optimum leaflet coaptation.

As a result, some patients may still experience residual mitral valve regurgitation following such annuloplasty procedures.

Mehmet Oz is very skill-intensive.

Often, use of these devices results in the less than optimal leaflet stabilization and fastener placement.

Many of these problems arise from the fact that the surgeon is required to capture, retain and fasten the leaflets in one relatively inflexible procedure.

These difficulties are compounded when the leaflets are small or calcified making them difficult to pull together, and in beating heart procedures in which the leaflets are actively functioning throughout the surgery.

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