U.S. patent application number 11/734547 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-18 for annuloplasty device having a helical anchor and methods for its use.
This patent application is currently assigned to Medtronic Vascular, Inc.. Invention is credited to David Barone, Eliot Bloom, Nareak Douk, Michael Finney, Morgan House, Rany Huynh, Stuart Mac Donald, Juan-Pablo Mas, Nasser Rafiee.
Application Number | 20070244554 11/734547 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38481942 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070244554 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rafiee; Nasser ; et
al. |
October 18, 2007 |
Annuloplasty Device Having a Helical Anchor and Methods for its
Use
Abstract
A system for modifying a heart valve annulus includes a
helically helical anchored annuloplasty device delivered to the
annulus via an elongated delivery member. The helical anchors of
the devices disclosed herein are rotated into the valve annulus
along an anchor guide by using a driver that is movably disposed in
the delivery member. A tether is disposed within an inner channel
of the helical anchor and a locking device is used to secure the
annuloplasty device after the valve annulus has been modified. The
annuloplasty device can be delivered to the annulus using,
traditional surgical approach or a minimally invasive or catheter
based methods.
Inventors: |
Rafiee; Nasser; (Andover,
MA) ; Douk; Nareak; (Lowell, MA) ; Bloom;
Eliot; (Hopkinton, NH) ; Finney; Michael;
(Beverly, MA) ; House; Morgan; (Newfields, NH)
; Huynh; Rany; (Charlestown, MA) ; Mac Donald;
Stuart; (Haverhill, MA) ; Mas; Juan-Pablo;
(Somerville, MA) ; Barone; David; (Lexington,
MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MEDTRONIC VASCULAR, INC.;IP LEGAL DEPARTMENT
3576 UNOCAL PLACE
SANTA ROSA
CA
95403
US
|
Assignee: |
Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
Santa Rosa
CA
|
Family ID: |
38481942 |
Appl. No.: |
11/734547 |
Filed: |
April 12, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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60791553 |
Apr 12, 2006 |
|
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60791340 |
Apr 12, 2006 |
|
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60793879 |
Apr 21, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
623/2.11 ;
623/2.36 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 2/2466 20130101;
A61F 2/2451 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
623/002.11 ;
623/002.36 |
International
Class: |
A61F 2/24 20060101
A61F002/24 |
Claims
1. A method for treating regurgitation in a mitral valve by
modifying the shape of the mitral valve annulus, comprising:
selecting at least one annuloplasty device delivery member;
selecting an annuloplasty device comprising at least one helical
anchor and an elongated flexible tether, the helical anchor having
a long axis, a distal end with a sharpened tip portion, a proximal
end, and a plurality of coils defining an inner channel that
communicates along the length of the helical anchor and the tether
having a first end and a second end; implanting the annuloplasty
device by rotating the at least one helical anchor into the valve
annulus such that the long axis of the helical anchor extends along
the valve annulus and the tether is routed through the inner
channel such that one end of the tether extends from the distal end
of the helical anchor and the other end of the tether extends from
the proximal end of the helical anchor; manipulating the tether to
modify the shape of the valve annulus such that the regurgitation
is reduced; securing the tether to maintain the modified shape of
the valve annulus; and whereby the mitral valve has a posterior
commisure and an anterior commisure, and the valve annulus has a
posterior portion, and anterior portion, and two trigones.
2. The method of claim 1 comprising the additional steps of:
selecting an additional annuloplasty device delivery member;
selecting an additional helical anchor, the helical anchor having a
long axis, a distal end with a sharpened tip portion, a proximal
end, and a plurality of coils defining an inner channel that
communicates along the length of the helical anchor; implanting the
helical anchor by rotating the helical anchor into the valve
annulus such that the long axis of the helical anchor extends along
the valve annulus and the tether is routed through the inner
channel such that one end of the tether extends from the distal end
of the helical anchor and the other end of the tether extends from
the proximal end of the helical anchor; repeating the steps of
selecting a delivery member, selecting a helical anchor, and
implanting the helical anchor until a predetermined number of
helical anchors has been implanted; and wherein the additional
steps are completed before the step of manipulating the tether to
modify the shape of the valve annulus such that the regurgitation
is reduced.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the number of helical anchors
implanted is in the range of two to eight.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein multiple helical anchors are
implanted on the posterior portion of the valve annulus.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the number of helical anchors
implanted on the posterior portion of the valve annulus is in the
range of two to six.
6. The method of claim 4 wherein three helical anchors are
implanted on the posterior portion of the valve annulus.
7. The method of claim 2 wherein multiple helical anchors are
implanted on the anterior portion of the valve annulus.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein two helical anchors are implanted
on the anterior portion of the valve annulus.
9. The method of claim 2 wherein multiple helical anchors are
implanted on the posterior portion of the valve annulus and
multiple helical anchors are implanted on the anterior portion of
the valve annulus.
10. The method of claim 2 wherein a single helical anchor is
implanted on the posterior portion of the valve annulus and
multiple helical anchors are implanted on the anterior portion of
the valve annulus.
11. The method of claim 2 wherein multiple helical anchors are
implanted on the posterior portion of the valve annulus and a
single helical anchor is implanted on the anterior portion of the
valve annulus.
12. The method of claim 2 wherein a single helical anchor is
implanted on the posterior portion of the valve annulus and a
single helical anchor is implanted on the anterior portion of the
valve annulus.
13. The method of claim 2 wherein multiple helical anchors are
implanted along the posterior portion of the valve annulus from a
portion of the valve annulus adjacent to the posterior commisure to
a portion of the valve annulus adjacent to the anterior
commisure.
14. The method of claim 2 wherein multiple helical anchors are
implanted along the posterior portion of the valve annulus between
the trigones.
15. The method of claim 2 wherein a single helical anchor is
implanted along the posterior portion of the valve annulus from a
portion of the valve annulus adjacent to the posterior commisure to
a portion of the valve annulus adjacent to the anterior
commisure.
16. The method of claim 2 wherein a single helical anchor is
implanted along the posterior potion of the valve annulus between
the trigones.
17. The method of claim 2 wherein the steps of manipulating the
tether and securing the tether comprise creating a loop in the
tether; making the loop smaller such that the tether applies a
force to the helical anchors until the shape of the valve annulus
had been modified to a desired level such that regurgitation is
reduced; using a locking device to secure the tether and maintain
the desired level of modification; and cutting any excess tether
material from the tether such that the locking device now joins
secures the first end of the tether to the second end of the
tether.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the locking device is selected
from the group consisting of a surgeons knot and a snell knot.
19. The method of claim 17 wherein the locking device is a tether
stop having a size and shape such that it cannot pass into the
inner channel of the helical anchors, the tether stop further
having at least one tether channel communicating therethrough.
20. The method of claim 20 wherein the tether has a plurality of
locking devices spaced along at least a portion thereof, and the
locking devices have a shape that allows them to pass through the
tether stop when moving in a first direction, but does not allow
them to pass through the tether stop when moving in a second
direction.
21. The method of claim 17 wherein after the shape of the valve
annulus has been altered, the locking device is located along the
valve annulus adjacent to the posterior commisure.
22. The method of claim 17 wherein after the shape of the valve
annulus has been altered, the locking device is located along the
valve annulus adjacent to the anterior commisure.
23. The method of claim 17 wherein after the shape of the valve
annulus has been altered, the locking device is located adjacent to
a portion of the valve annulus on the posterior side of the mitral
valve.
24. The method of claim 17 wherein after the shape of the valve
annulus has been altered, the locking device is located adjacent to
a portion of the valve annulus on the anterior side of the mitral
valve.
25. A method for treating regurgitation in a mitral valve by
modifying the shape of the mitral valve annulus, comprising:
selecting at least one annuloplasty device delivery member;
selecting an annuloplasty device comprising a plurality of helical
anchors and an elongated flexible tether, the helical anchors each
having a long axis, a distal end with a sharpened tip portion, a
proximal end, and a plurality of coils defining an inner channel
that communicates along the length of the helical anchor and the
tether having a first end and a second end; implanting the
annuloplasty device by rotating each helical anchor into the valve
annulus such that the long axis of the helical anchor extends along
the valve annulus and the tether is routed through the inner
channel such that one end of the tether extends from the distal end
of the helical anchor and the other end of the tether extends from
the proximal end of the helical anchor; manipulating the tether to
create a loop; making the loop smaller such that the tether applies
a force to the helical anchors until the shape of the valve annulus
had been modified to a desired level such that regurgitation is
reduced; using a locking device to secure the tether and maintain
the desired level of modification; cutting any excess tether
material from the tether such that the locking device now joins
secures the first end of the tether to the second end of the
tether; and whereby the mitral valve has a posterior commisure and
an anterior commisure, and the valve annulus has a posterior
portion, and anterior portion, and two trigones.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein multiple helical anchors are
implanted on the posterior portion of the valve annulus.
27. The method of claim 25 wherein multiple helical anchors are
implanted on the anterior portion of the valve annulus.
28. The method of claim 25 wherein a single helical anchor is
implanted on the posterior portion of the valve annulus.
29. The method of claim 25 wherein a single helical anchor is
implanted on the anterior portion of the valve annulus.
30. The method of claim 25 wherein the portion of the annuloplasty
device implanted along the posterior portion of the valve annulus
is located along the valve annulus from a portion of the valve
annulus adjacent to the posterior commisure to a portion of the
valve annulus adjacent to the anterior commisure.
31. The method of claim 25 wherein the portion of the annuloplasty
device implanted along the posterior portion of the valve annulus
is located along the valve annulus between the trigones.
32. The method of claim 25 wherein after the shape of the valve has
been altered, the locking device is located along the valve annulus
adjacent to the posterior commisure.
33. The method of claim 25 wherein after the shape of the valve has
been altered, the locking device is located along the valve annulus
adjacent to the anterior commisure.
34. The method of claim 25 wherein after the shape of the valve has
been altered, the locking device is located adjacent to a portion
of the valve annulus on the posterior side of the mitral valve.
35. The method of claim 25 wherein after the shape of the valve has
been altered, the locking device is located adjacent to a portion
of the valve annulus on the anterior side of the mitral valve.
36. The method of claim 25 wherein implanting the helical anchors
into the valve annulus comprises rotating and translating a helical
anchor through the valve annulus in response to rotation and
translation of a drive member operably connected to the helical
anchor.
37. A method for treating regurgitation in a mitral valve by
modifying the shape of the mitral valve annulus, comprising:
selecting at least one annuloplasty device delivery member;
selecting an annuloplasty device comprising a single helical anchor
and an elongated flexible tether, the helical anchor having a long
axis, a distal end with a sharpened tip portion, a proximal end,
and a plurality of coils defining an inner channel that
communicates along the length of the helical anchor and the tether
having a first end and a second end; implanting the annuloplasty
device by rotating the helical anchor into the valve annulus such
that the long axis of the helical anchor extends along the valve
annulus and the tether is routed through the inner channel such
that one end of the tether extends from the distal end of the
helical anchor and the other end of the tether extends from the
proximal end of the helical anchor; manipulating the tether to
shorten the length of the long axis of the helical anchor;
shortening the length of the long axis of the helical anchor until
the shape of the valve annulus had been modified to a desired level
such that regurgitation is reduced; using a locking device to
secure the tether and maintain the desired level of modification;
cutting any excess tether material from the tether such that the
locking device now joins secures the first end of the tether to the
second end of the tether; and whereby the mitral valve has a
posterior commisure and an anterior commisure, and the valve
annulus has a posterior portion, and anterior portion, and two
trigones.
38. The method of claim 37 wherein implanting the annuloplasty
device into a portion of the valve annulus comprises rotating and
translating the helical anchor through the portion of the valve
annulus in response to rotation and translation of a drive member
operably connected to the helical anchor.
39. The method of claim 37 wherein the helical anchor is implanted
along the posterior portion of the valve annulus from a portion of
the valve annulus adjacent to the posterior commisure to a portion
of the valve annulus adjacent to the anterior commisure.
40. The method of claim 37 wherein the helical anchor is implanted
along the posterior portion of the valve annulus between the
trigones.
41. The method of claim 37 wherein the step of shortening the
length of the long axis of the helical anchor is accomplished by
forming the tether into a loop and making the loop smaller until
the helical anchor is shortened to a desired length.
42. The method of claim 37 wherein the step of shortening the
length of the long axis of the helical anchor comprises securing
the first end of the tether at the distal end of the helical anchor
and applying tension to the tether by pulling on the portion of
tether that extends from the proximal end of the helical anchor
until the helical anchor is shortened to a desired length and
securing the tether at the proximal end of the helical anchor to
maintain the helical anchor at the desired length.
43. The method of claim 42 wherein the first end of the tether is
tied to the distal end of the anchor, the helical anchor is
shortened, and the tether is then tied to the proximal end of the
helical anchor.
44. The method of claim 42 wherein the first end of the tether is
secured to a first tether stop having a size and shape such that it
cannot pass into the inner channel of the helical anchor, the
helical anchor is shortened, and the tether is then secured to a
second tether stop at the proximal end of the helical anchor.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/791,553, filed Apr. 12, 2006 and titled
"Annuloplasty Device Having Helical anchors"; U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/791,340, filed Apr. 12, 2006 and titled
"Minimally Invasive Procedure for Implanting an Annuloplasty
Device"; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/793,879, filed
Apr. 21, 2006 and titled "Annuloplasty Device Having Helical
anchors", of which the entire contents of each are incorporated
herein by reference.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to the treatment of heart
valves and particularly to systems, devices and methods for
treating valvular regurgitation by increasing leaflet coaption.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The heart is a four-chambered pump that moves blood
efficiently through the vascular system. Blood enters the heart
through the vena cava and flows into the right atrium. From the
right atrium, blood flows through the tricuspid valve and into the
right ventricle, which then contracts and forces blood through the
pulmonic valve and into the lungs. Oxygenated blood returns from
the lungs and enters the heart through the left atrium and passes
through the mitral valve into the left ventricle. The left
ventricle contracts and pumps blood through the aortic valve into
the aorta and to the vascular system.
[0004] The mitral valve consists of two leaflets (anterior and
posterior) attached to a fibrous ring or annulus. In a healthy
heart, the mitral valve leaflets close during contraction of the
left ventricle and prevent blood from flowing back into the left
atrium. Due to various cardiac diseases, however, the mitral valve
annulus may become distended causing the leaflets to remain
partially open during ventricular contraction and thus allow
regurgitation of blood into the left atrium. This results in
reduced ejection volume from the left ventricle, causing the left
ventricle to compensate with a larger stroke volume. However, the
increased workload eventually results in dilation and hypertrophy
of the left ventricle, further enlarging and distorting the shape
of the mitral valve. If left untreated, the condition may result in
cardiac insufficiency, ventricular failure, and ultimately
death.
[0005] It is common medical practice to treat mitral valve
regurgitation by either valve replacement or repair. Mitral valve
repair includes a variety of procedures to repair or reshape the
leaflets to improve closure of the valve during ventricular
contraction. If the mitral valve annulus has become distended, a
frequent repair procedure involves implanting an annuloplasty ring
on the mitral valve annulus. The annuloplasty ring generally has a
smaller diameter than the annulus, and when sutured to the annulus
the annuloplasty ring draws the annulus into a smaller
configuration, bringing the mitral valve leaflets closer together,
and allowing improved closure during ventricular contraction.
Annuloplasty rings may be rigid, flexible or a combination, having
both rigid and flexible segments. Rigid annuloplasty rings have the
disadvantage of causing the mitral valve annulus to be rigid and
unable to flex in response to the contractions of the ventricle,
thus inhibiting the normal, three-dimensional movement of the
mitral valve that is required for it to function optimally.
Flexible annuloplasty rings are frequently made of Dacron fabric
and must be sewn to the annular ring with a line of sutures. This
eventually leads to scar tissue formation and loss of flexibility
and function of the mitral valve. Similarly, combination rings must
generally be sutured in place and also cause scar tissue formation
and loss of mitral valve flexibility and function.
[0006] Valve replacement involves an open-heart surgical procedure
in which the patient's mitral valve is removed and replaced with an
artificial valve. One drawback to open heart surgical techniques
requires heart bypass procedures to accomplish the replacement
and/or repair of the valve. Another drawback is that the open-heart
procedures require that the patient undergo general anesthesia for
a prolonged periods of time.
[0007] To overcome many of the complications and risks of
open-heart surgical procedures, less invasive or minimally invasive
surgical techniques have been developed. These procedures can be
done on a beating heart and often are performed without general
anesthesia or a reduced time under general anesthesia.
[0008] It would be desirable, therefore to provide a method and
device for reducing valvular regurgitation that would overcome the
limitations and disadvantages inherent in the devices described
above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] One aspect of the invention provides a system for modifying
a heart valve annulus. The system comprises an elongated generally
tubular delivery member, an elongated driver movably received in
the delivery member, an anchor guide, a helical anchor disposed in
the delivery member, and an elongated flexible tether. The system
further includes a locking device. The driver is rotatably and
axially movable within the delivery member to drive the helical
anchor through the annulus along the anchor guide, and wherein the
tether is disposed in a pathway of the helical anchor.
[0010] One aspect of the invention provides an embodiment of the
invention in which the anchor guide permanently extends from the
distal end of the delivery member. Another aspect of the invention
provides an embodiment of the invention in which the driver is also
a generally tubular member and the anchor guide movable between a
delivery position within the driver and a deployment position on
the exterior of the driver.
[0011] Another aspect of the invention provides a system for
modifying a heart valve annulus. The system comprises a plurality
of delivery members, a plurality of helical anchors, a plurality of
anchor guides, a plurality of rotatable drives for rotatably
driving the helical anchors along the guides, and a single
elongated flexible tether.
[0012] Another aspect of the invention provides a device for
modifying the shape of a heart valve. The device comprises at least
on elongated helical anchor having a sharpened portion on the
distal end thereof and a plurality of coils defining an inner
channel. The device further comprises a tether that is positioned
within the inner channel of the helical anchor, and a locking
device for securing the tether when a desired degree of
modification has been achieved.
[0013] Another aspect of the invention provides a method for
modifying a heart valve. The method comprises delivering an anchor
guide and a helical anchor to a target valve via a delivery member,
positioning the anchor guide adjacent an annulus of the valve,
rotating a driver and threading the helical anchor through the
annulus along the anchor guide based on the rotation of the
driver.
[0014] The present invention is illustrated by the accompanying
drawings of various embodiments and the detailed description given
below. The drawings should not be taken to limit the invention to
the specific embodiments, but are for explanation and
understanding. The detailed description and drawings are merely
illustrative of the invention rather than limiting, the scope of
the invention being defined by the appended claims and equivalents
thereof. The drawings are not to scale. The foregoing aspects and
other attendant advantages of the present invention will become
more readily appreciated by the detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0015] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a heart
showing the location of the heart valves;
[0016] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a helical anchor for an
annuloplasty device according to the current invention;
[0017] FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate a system for modifying the shape of a
heart valve annulus according to the current invention;
[0018] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the attachment of helical anchors
to an helical anchor driver according to the current invention;
[0019] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an embodiment of an annulus
modification system according to the current invention;
[0020] FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate an embodiment of an annulus
modification system according to the current invention;
[0021] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate embodiments of delivery members
that are used in annulus modification systems according to the
current invention.
[0022] FIGS. 10-17 illustrate a variety of shapes for anchor guides
in annulus modification systems according to the current
invention;
[0023] FIGS. 18A, 18B, and 19 illustrate embodiments of locking
devices used for annuloplasty devices according to the current
invention;
[0024] FIG. 20 illustrates an embodiment of a knot used as a
locking devices used for annuloplasty devices according to the
current invention;
[0025] FIGS. 21A and 21B illustrates a lock pusher-tether cutter
device according to the current invention;
[0026] FIGS. 22A-22E illustrate a lock pusher-tether cutter device
as it is used according to the current invention;
[0027] FIG. 23 illustrates the anatomy of a mitral valve;
[0028] FIGS. 24-28 illustrate the placement of helical anchors and
locking devices according to the current invention;
[0029] FIGS. 29-33 illustrate a minimally invasive surgical method
for implanting helical anchored annuloplasty devices to treat
mitral regurgitation according to the current invention;
[0030] FIGS. 34 and 35 illustrate a catheter based method for
implanting helical anchored annuloplasty devices to treat mitral
regurgitation according to the current invention;
[0031] FIG. 36 is a flow chart showing one embodiment of a method
for implanting a helically helical anchored annuloplasty device
according to the current invention;
[0032] FIG. 37 is a flow chart showing one embodiment of a catheter
based method for implanting a helically helical anchored
annuloplasty device according to the current invention; and
[0033] FIG. 38 is a flow chart showing one embodiment of a surgical
access based method for implanting a helically helical anchored
annuloplasty device according to the current invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] The invention will now be described by reference to the
figures wherein like numbers refer to like structures. The terms
"distal" and "proximal" are used herein with reference to the
treating clinician during the use of the catheter system; "Distal"
indicates an apparatus portion distant from, or a direction away
from the clinician and "proximal" indicates an apparatus portion
near to, or a direction towards the clinician. Additionally, the
term "annuloplasty" is used herein to mean
modification/reconstruction of a defective heart valve.
[0035] The current invention discloses devices and methods for
treating regurgitation in cardiac valves. While these devices and
methods are described below in terms of being used to treat mitral
regurgitation, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
the devices could be used on other cardiac valves also.
Annuloplasty devices of the current invention comprise helical
anchors, tethers, and locks and they are used to modify the shape
of heart valves for treating valvular regurgitation. The systems of
the current invention comprised the annuloplasty devices and the
delivery members for placing the devices adjacent a heart valve
annulus.
[0036] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a schematic
cross-sectional view of a heart 1 having tricuspid valve 2 and
tricuspid valve annulus 3. Mitral valve 4 is adjacent mitral valve
annulus 5. Mitral valve 4 is a bicuspid valve having anterior cusp
7 and posterior cusp 6. Anterior cusp 7 and posterior cusp 6 are
often referred to, respectively, as the anterior and posterior
leaflets. Also shown in the figure are the posterior commisure 17
and the anterior commisure 18.
[0037] The devices of the current invention can be delivered to,
and implanted in, a beating heart using a minimally invasive
surgical technique or via catheter based delivery through the
vascular system. Where devices are delivered using minimally
invasive surgical procedures, the delivery instruments can be
inserted through the wall of the atrium at a location directly
adjacent to the posterior commisure. If the devices are delivered
to the atrium via catheter, the catheter can enter the atrium
through an opening created in the septal wall between the left and
right atrium. The devices of the invention can also be implanted in
the valves of a temporarily stopped heart and in one embodiment the
device is delivered via open heart surgery.
[0038] FIGS. 2A through 4 illustrate the components of an
embodiment of an annulus modification system for modifying a heart
valve according to the current invention. Referring first to FIGS.
2A and 2B, there is shown a helical anchor for an annuloplasty
device according to the current invention. Helical anchor 245
comprises an elongate coiled member having a tissue penetrating tip
246 at a distal end and a proximal end 247 that is operably
connected to a helical anchor driver.
[0039] The coils of the helical anchor 245 define a structure
having a generally circular shape, and the tip 246 extends on a
tangent away from the circular perimeter of the helical anchor.
Angling the sharpened tip away from the exterior perimeter of the
helical anchor makes it easier for the tip to penetrate a valve
annulus when the helical anchor is being rotated out of a delivery
member and along an anchor guide. In some embodiments, the length L
of the sharpened tip portion is in the range of 0.045 inches to
0.065 inches. One embodiment of a helical anchor has a tip length
greater than 0.065 inches, another embodiment has a tip length less
than 0.045 inches, and one embodiment of a helical anchor according
to the current invention has a tip length of 0.055 inches.
[0040] Helical anchor 245 comprises a biocompatible metallic or
polymeric material having suitable resiliency. In one embodiment,
helical anchor 245 comprises stainless steel, in anther embodiment,
the helical anchor comprises 35NLT, and in yet another embodiment
the helical anchor comprises MP35N. The diameter of the metallic or
polymeric member that is coiled to make the helical anchor can vary
based on the desired flexibility, the size of the annulus, the
delivery method, etc, and some embodiments include helical anchors
made from wires with diameters in a range of 0.017 inches-0.025
inches One embodiment is made from a material with a diameter
smaller than 0.017 inches, another embodiment is made from a
material with a diameter larger than 0.025 in, and yet another
embodiment is made from a material having a diameter of 0.02
inches
[0041] The coils of the helical anchor define an inner channel for
a tether. Thus, the helical anchor has an outer diameter defining
the exterior of the helical anchor and an inner diameter defining
the channel or lumen through the helical anchor. Some embodiments
of the invention include helical anchors having inner channel
diameters in the range of 0.10 inches-0.20 inches One embodiment
includes a helical anchor with an inner channel diameter smaller
than 0.10 inches, another embodiment has a helical anchor with an
inner channel diameter larger than 0.200 inches, and yet another
embodiment has a helical anchor with an inner channel diameter of
0.11 inches Outer diameters for the helical anchors are in the
range of 0.150 inches-0.250 inches. One embodiment includes a
helical anchor with an outer diameter smaller than 0.150 inches,
another embodiment has a helical anchor with an inner diameter
larger than 0.250 inches, and yet another embodiment has a helical
anchor with an outer diameter of 0.150 inches.
[0042] The distance between each coil defines the coil pitch, and
the pitch can also be expressed as the number of coils per inch.
The number of coils per inch for the helical anchors of the current
invention can vary based on the desired degree of flexibility and
resiliency. Some embodiments include helical anchors having coils
per inch in the range of 10 to 20. One embodiment of a helical
anchor has less than 10 coils per inch, one embodiment of a helical
anchor has more than 20 coils per inch, and one embodiment of a
helical anchor according to the current invention has 12 coils per
inch. An additional embodiment of the current invention includes
helical anchors having 14 coils per inch.
[0043] In addition to the pitch, the length of the helical anchors
of the various embodiments of the invention can vary based on the
size of a patient's valve annulus and the number and location of
helical anchors needed to modify the shape of the annulus. In one
embodiment of the invention, multiple helical anchors having six
coils each are implanted. In another embodiment, a single helical
anchor that is 1 inch long is implanted. Some embodiments of the
invention include helical anchors having a length in the range of
0.50 inches to 2.5 inches. At least one embodiment has at least one
helical anchor longer than 2.5 inches and another embodiment has at
least one helical anchor shorter than 0.50 inches. In at least one
embodiment of the invention, helical anchors having a length in the
range of 25 mm to 31 mm are implanted in the anterior portion of a
mitral valve annulus. In at least one embodiment of the invention,
helical anchors having a length in the range of 59 mm to 63 mm are
implanted in the posterior portion of a mitral valve annulus. In
another embodiment of the invention, a plurality of helical anchors
having lengths in the range of 0.40 to 2.50 inches are used to
alter the shape of a valve annulus. One embodiment of the invention
uses a plurality of helical anchors having the same length to
modify the shape of a heart valve annulus. Another embodiment of
the invention uses a plurality of helical anchors where not all of
the helical anchors have the same length, but some of the helical
anchors have the same length.
[0044] The flexibility of the helical anchor can be controlled by
the diameter of the wire or other material used to make the helical
anchor and the number of coils per inch. As will be described
further below a tether will be placed through the inner channel of
one or more helical anchors that are implanted along a heart valve
annulus. The tether will then be manipulated to exert a force on
the helical anchors and modify the shape of the valve annulus. Care
must be taken when choosing a helical anchor to insure that the
helical anchor will be able to maintain a modified position after
it has been implanted. If a helical anchor is made from a wire or
other member having too large of a diameter or if a helical anchor
is made with too many coils per inch, more pressure will be
required to keep the helical anchor from moving to a straight
elongated state. In one embodiment, the helical anchor is made from
a stainless steel wire having a diameter of 0.020 inches; the
helical anchor has an inner diameter of 0.108 inches and an outer
diameter of 0.150 inches and a pitch of 12 coils per inch. In at
least one embodiment, at least a portion of the helical anchor is
made from material having a high X-ray attenuation coefficient.
[0045] Helical anchor 245 comprises a plurality of individual
coils. The plurality of coils form a generally cylindrical inner
channel 244 that can accommodate an anchor guide and through which
a portion of a tether will be disposed. In operation, the inner
channel diameter, the coil pitch and the length of the tip 246 of
the helical anchor may be determined to provide a specific depth of
penetration of the helical anchor 245 as it is threaded along the
valve annulus.
[0046] In one embodiment (not shown), a system will include a tip
sheath that can be disposed on the tip of a helical anchor. The tip
sheath encases the helical anchor tip when the helical anchor is in
a deployed configuration. In one embodiment, a helical anchor tip
sheath includes an opening through which a tether passes.
[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3C, there is shown an embodiment
of a system used for a valve modification procedure where access is
gained to a heart valve via a surgical approach similar to the
approach currently used for implanting annuloplasty rings known in
the art. While any procedure using the system depicted in FIGS. 3A
through 3C does not have the advantage of being able to be
performed on a beating heart (as will be described below), it does
allow a clinician to modify a heart valve in less time than the
devices currently available in the art allow. This will reduce the
time that a patient is subjected to general anesthesia and it may
promote a quicker recovery time. It will also allow a clinician to
complete a valve modification procedure in a shorter period and
thus allow that clinician to treat more patients.
[0048] FIG. 3A shows the elongated generally tubular delivery
member 320 having a handle 321 and a handle cap 322 on the proximal
end of the delivery member 320. The distal end of the delivery
member 320 includes an anchor guide 325 and the distal opening 324
of the driver lumen that communicates through the length of the
delivery member.
[0049] The anchor guide 325 is configured to conform to the shape
of at least a portion of the valve annulus when the anchor guide is
placed next to a valve annulus at the treatment site. In one
embodiment of the invention, the anchor guide is configured to
conform to the annulus adjacent the posterior leaflet of a mitral
valve. In another embodiment of the invention, the anchor guide is
configured to conform to the annulus adjacent the anterior leaflet
of a mitral valve.
[0050] An elongated helical anchor driver 330 includes a driver
knob 331 on the proximal end of the driver and a threaded portion
337 adjacent the knob. A distal portion 335 of the driver is
connected to a helical anchor 345. The driver can be made from any
biocompatible material sufficient to allow the driver to rotate and
to move longitudinally inside of the delivery member, and translate
the rotation and movement to the helical anchor. Most of the driver
shaft can be stiff, but the distal portion 335 must be flexible to
allow the driver to negotiate the curved portions near the distal
end of the delivery member 320.
[0051] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, there can be seen two different
embodiments of how the helical anchors of the current invention can
be connected to the proximal end of the helical anchors of the
current invention. FIG. 4 shows a helical anchor 445 according to
the current invention wherein the helical anchor has a generally
U-shaped driver portion at the proximal end. The distal end 435 of
the driver has an indentation in the driver's outer surface that is
sized and shaped so that the driver portion at the proximal end of
the helical anchor will fit snugly into the driver during delivery
of the helical anchor. Once the helical anchor is implanted in a
valve annulus, the driver is rotated in the opposite direction than
the rotation for implanting the valve and the delivery member is
manipulated so that the helical anchor separates from the
driver.
[0052] FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a release mechanism
according to the current invention. The helical anchor 545 has a
proximal end 547 with a driver portion that extends straight in a
proximal direction from the helical anchor. The distal tip of the
driver has a hole for placement of the driver portion of the
helical anchor such that the helical anchor will fit snugly into
the driver during implantation. Once the helical anchor is
implanted, the driver and delivery member are pulled away from the
proximal end of the helical anchor and the straight driver portion
of the proximal end is pulled from the hole in the distal tip of
the driver. In some embodiments of the current invention, the
length of the straight driver portion of the helical anchor can
vary from 0.05 inches to 0.25 inches. Some embodiments of the
current invention have helical anchors with straight driver
portions that are longer than 0.25 inches, other embodiments of the
current invention have helical anchors with straight driver
portions that are shorter than 0.05 inches, and one embodiment of a
helical anchor according to the current invention has a helical
anchor with a straight driver portion of 0.10 inches.
[0053] In some embodiments of the current invention, the driver can
be a hollow member having either a tether lumen or an anchor guide
lumen communicating through its length. The helical anchor
connections shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 will work equally as well for
tubular driver members as they will for non-tubular driver
members.
[0054] Referring again to FIG. 3A, the system also includes a
flexible elongated tether 350 having a first end 351 and a second
end 352. Tether 350 comprises an elongate flexible filament of
biocompatible material. In one embodiment, the tether comprises a
monofilament. In other embodiments the tether may comprise a braid
of a plurality of filaments of the same material or of filaments
from different materials. Still other embodiments of tethers
comprise a braded sheath with a single filament core, or a braided
sheath with a braided core. The tether 350 may be composed of
biocompatible material such as, but not limited to, nylon or
polyester. The tether may be constructed from material that will
not stretch or it may be pre-stressed to prevent the tether from
elongating after the annuloplasty devices of the current invention
are implanted in a heart valve annulus. In one embodiment, the
tether is made from a pre-stretched ultra-high-molecular-weight
polyethylene. Various embodiments of the invention include tethers
having diameters in the range of 0.015 inches and 0.050 inches in
diameter. In one embodiment of the invention the tether has a
diameter smaller than 0.015 inches and in another embodiment of the
invention the tether has a diameter larger than 0.50 inches. One
embodiment of the invention has a tether with a diameter of 0.20
inches.
[0055] The tether 350 is delivered to the treatment site in a
looped configuration with first and second ends extending outside
the patient's body during the implantation procedure. If additional
helical anchors are desired, the ends of the tether are threaded
through an additional driver, helical anchor and delivery member
based on where the preceding helical anchor was implanted and where
the new helical anchor will be planted relative to the preceding
helical anchor.
[0056] To use the system, the first end 351 of the tether 350 is
threaded into a tether lumen 334 at the proximal end of the driver
and out through an inner channel of the helical anchor 345. The
tether is then threaded into the driver lumen and into a tether
lumen (not shown) in the anchor guide 325. The tether exits the end
of the anchor guide and is routed back up through the driver lumen
and exits the handle 321 through another tether lumen (not
shown).
[0057] Referring to FIG. 3B, the driver 330 is inserted into the
driver lumen of the delivery member 320 and advanced until the
threaded portion 337 makes contact with a complementary threaded
portion (not shown) on the interior of the delivery member handle
321. When the driver has been advanced to the point where the
threaded portion on the driver makes contact with the threaded
portion on the handle, the helical anchor 345 will be located
adjacent to the anchor guide. The anchor guide 325 would then be
aligned with a valve annulus and placed on the annulus in the
desire location for implanting the helical anchor.
[0058] Referring now to FIG. 3C, the driver knob 331 is rotated so
that the threaded portion 337 on the driver is screwed into the
complementary threaded portion of the delivery member 320. As the
driver is threaded into the delivery member, the distal portion of
the driver rotates and moves toward the distal opening 324 of the
delivery member until the distal end of the helical anchor is
extended from the delivery member and the distal end is rotated
into and out of the valve annulus while the helical anchor is
rotated along the anchor guide.
[0059] In some embodiments of the systems of the current invention,
the helical anchor is engaged to the distal tip of the driver and
the driver and helical anchor are placed in the delivery member
such that the anchor guide is already in the inner channel of the
helical anchor. In other embodiments, the extended distal tip of
the helical anchor catches the anchor guide, as the distal end of
the helical anchor extends from the distal opening of the delivery
member, and the helical anchor rotates itself onto and along the
delivery guide as the driver is threaded into the delivery
member.
[0060] Once the helical anchor is implanted, the anchor guide is
either withdrawn into the delivery member or the delivery member is
rotated and manipulated to remove the anchor guide from the inner
channel of the helical anchor. After the anchor guide is removed
from the helical anchor, a portion of the tether remains disposed
in the helical anchor such that one end of the tether extends from
the distal end of the helical anchor and the other end of the
tether extends from the proximal end of the helical anchor.
[0061] The delivery member and driver are then withdrawn from the
area of the valve annulus. The tether slides freely through the
tether lumens or other portions of the delivery member and driver
while they are being withdrawn, and it can be completely removed
from those portions of the system such that the ends extend outside
of a patient's body while a portion of the tether is disposed in
the inner channel of the helical anchor implanted in the patient's
heart valve annulus.
[0062] In some embodiments of the invention where additional
helical anchors are desired, the delivery member and driver are
withdrawn and additional delivery members and drivers are selected.
The tether is threaded into tether channels or other appropriate
structure of the delivery members, drivers, and helical anchors
such that the helical anchors can be implanted. The tether is
threaded through the additional drivers, helical anchors, and
delivery members based on where the preceding helical anchor was
implanted and where the new helical anchor will be planted relative
to the preceding helical anchor.
[0063] In at least one embodiment where multiple helical anchors
are desired, the delivery member is left inside of a patient's body
and the driver is withdrawn from the delivery member. The tether is
threaded into an additional helical anchor and driver. The driver
is then inserted into the delivery member and advanced so that the
helical anchor is at the distal opening in the delivery member. The
anchor guide is then manipulated so that it is placed on the
portion of the valve annulus where the additional helical anchor is
desired, and the helical anchor is implanted as described above.
Other additional helical anchors can be implanted using the same
delivery member, or the delivery member can be withdrawn and other
additional helical anchors implanted using additional delivery
members and drivers as described above.
[0064] Once a desired number of helical anchors have been
implanted, the clinician forms a loop out of the tether and makes
the loop smaller to apply a force to the helical anchors and modify
the shape of the valve annulus. When the shape of the valve annulus
has reached a desired level of modification, the tether is tied
using a traditional surgeons knot so that the valve annulus will be
maintained in the desired state of modification. Any excess
material on the tether is then trimmed away. The surgical incisions
are then closed to complete the procedure.
[0065] The components of the system depicted in FIGS. 3A through 3C
can be made from any suitable biocompatible material. The delivery
member 320 can be made of flexible, biocompatible polymeric
material such as, but not limited to, polyurethane, polyethylene,
nylon and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), it can be made from rigid
plastics or metals such as stainless steel or other suitable
metals, and it can be made from a combination of two or more of
these materials.
[0066] The driver 330 can also be made from flexible, biocompatible
polymeric material such as, but not limited to, polyurethane,
polyethylene, nylon and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Portions of
the driver can be made from rigid plastics or metals such as
stainless steel of other suitable metals as long as the distal
portion of the driver is made from a flexible material that will
allow it to negotiated curved portions of the delivery member. In
one embodiment, the proximal portion of the driver is a braided
member formed from a plurality of metallic filaments. In other
embodiments, the drivers can include portions made from polymeric
filaments or a combination of metallic and polymeric filaments. In
some embodiments of the invention, the braided portions of drivers
are braided sheaths having lumens for tethers and anchor guides
running therethrough.
[0067] The lumens of the delivery members and drives of the current
invention can be coated with a lubricious material such as
silicone, polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE), or a hydrophilic coating.
The lubricious interior surface of a delivery member facilitates
the longitudinal movement of a driver
[0068] The anchor guide 325 can be made from a suitable
biocompatible metallic or polymeric material or combinations
thereof. The anchor guides of the current invention can be made
from a flexible material, but the material must be hare enough to
resist penetration by the sharpened distal end of a helical anchor.
In one embodiment of the invention, the anchor guide is made from
stainless steel. In one embodiment of the invention, the tubular
delivery member and the anchor guide are formed as a unitary piece
from a biocompatible material. In other embodiments, the delivery
members and anchor guides are fashioned as separate pieces that are
joined together by, for example, adhesive, welding or any other
manner known in the art. In another embodiment of the invention,
the delivery member comprises a polymeric material and the anchor
guide comprises a metal.
[0069] FIGS. 6 & 7 illustrate one embodiment of a catheter
based annulus modification system 600, in accordance with the
present invention. FIG. 6 shows the distal end of a delivery
catheter of system 600. FIG. 7 illustrates the proximal end of
system 600 that includes the controls for manipulating the annulus
modification system.
[0070] Referring to FIG. 6, system 600 comprises a delivery member
620, driver 630, anchor guide 625, helical anchor 645 and tether
650. The delivery member 620 comprises a flexible elongate tube for
insertion into the patient. The delivery member 620 is made of
flexible, biocompatible polymeric material such as, but not limited
to, polyurethane, polyethylene, nylon and polytetrafluoroethylene
(PTFE). The delivery member 620 includes a lumen 624 for receiving
a driver 630.
[0071] The driver 630 comprises an elongate tube having a distal
drive end for driving helical anchor 645. The driver is made of
flexible, biocompatible polymeric material such as, but not limited
to, polyurethane, polyethylene, nylon and polytetrafluoroethylene
(PTFE). The driver is configured to rotatably and longitudinally
translate along an axis of lumen 624 during implantation of the
helical anchor. The distal end of the driver includes a helical
anchor-receiving portion (not shown) for releasably holding the
helical anchor. In one embodiment, the helical anchor receiving
portion comprises an opening for receiving a straight portion of
the proximal end 647 of the helical anchor 645. In one embodiment,
the lumen 624 is coated with a lubricious material such as
silicone, polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE), or a hydrophilic coating.
The lubricious interior surface of the delivery member facilitates
the longitudinal movement of the driver. In one embodiment, the
driver includes a lumen for receiving the anchor guide 625.
[0072] The anchor guide 625 comprises an elongate member having a
first tether lumen 626. The anchor guide comprises a biocompatible
metallic or polymeric material or combinations thereof. Fabrication
of the anchor guide may include chemical machining, forming or heat
setting of nitinol. The anchor guide is configured to conform to
the shape of at least a portion of the valve annulus when the
anchor guide is deployed at the treatment site. In one embodiment,
the anchor guide is configured to conform to the annulus adjacent
the posterior leaflet. In another embodiment, the anchor guide is
configured to conform to the annulus adjacent the anterior leaflet.
In one embodiment of the invention, the anchor guide is constructed
from a material having shape memory properties so that when the
distal end of the guide it is expelled for the end of the delivery
member, it assumes a curved shape that corresponds to the shape of
at least a portion of a valve annulus. In another embodiment, the
anchor guide is constructed from a flexible biocompatible material
and it articulated into a shape corresponding to a heart valve
annulus by securing one end of the tether and applying tension to
the other end until the anchor guide is in a curved configuration
at which time both ends of the tether are secured.
[0073] The anchor guide can have a generally circular or elliptical
cross-section such that at least a portion of the exterior surface
of the guide has a shape that is complementary to the radius of
curvature of helical anchor. During deployment of helical anchor,
the helical anchor contacts surface of the anchor guide, which
guides the helical anchor as it advances along the length of anchor
guide.
[0074] During the delivery of a helical anchor to a valve annulus,
the various components of the system are concentrically disposed
within the delivery member. Those with skill in the art will
recognize that the arrangement of the various components within the
delivery member may be different from that described and
illustrated in the figures.
[0075] FIG. 7 illustrates the proximal end of system 600 that
includes the controls for manipulating the various components of
the system. The proximal end of the driver 630 includes a driver
knob 631, a threaded portion 637 and a lock ring 674. The lock ring
674 includes a threaded end portion 678 for threaded engagement
with a delivery member ring 680. The lock ring 674 holds the
threaded section 678 to the delivery member during implantation of
the helical anchor.
[0076] To deploy the helical anchor of the system depicted in FIGS.
6 and 7, anchor guide 625 is inserted into the driver 630, the
tether 650 is inserted into the tether lumens 626 & 627 of the
system, and the driver is inserted into the delivery member 620.
The driver is then advanced until the threaded section 678 makes
contact with the threads on the interior of the quick delivery
member ring. At this point, the distal most tip of the anchor guide
625 is just inside of the distal most portion of the delivery
catheter 620. To advance the anchor guide from the delivery
catheter, the threaded section is screwed into the quick delivery
member ring. If the anchor guide is not made of a shape memory
material that is set in a shape that corresponds to the shape of a
portion of the valve annulus, the anchor guide is articulated into
a curved shape as described above.
[0077] Screwing the threaded section into the quick delivery member
ring to advance the anchor guide from the distal end of the
delivery catheter also positions the distal end of the helical
anchor so that it is just inside the distal tip of the delivery
catheter. Once the anchor guide is extended, it is placed upon the
valve annulus and the driver knob is turned to screw the threaded
portion 637 of the driver into the interior of the lock ring. When
the bottom of the driver knob makes contact with the top of the
lock ring, the helical anchor has been fully deployed from the
delivery member. Once the helical anchor has been implanted, the
delivery member and driver can be disengaged from the helical
anchor by allowing the tether to slide freely in the tether lumens
while withdrawing the delivery member, driver, and anchor guide in
a proximal direction. If additional helical anchors are desired,
the ends of the tether are threaded through an additional driver,
helical anchor and delivery member based on where the preceding
helical anchor was implanted and where the new helical anchor will
be planted relative to the preceding helical anchor. It should be
noted that because different embodiments of the current invention
have different sized helical anchors, the lengths of various
elements of different embodiments will vary based on the helical
anchor size but the lengths of the delivery members will vary based
on the delivery method and size of the patient.
[0078] Referring now to FIGS. 7A-7C, there is shown an embodiment
of a catheter based system used for a valve modification procedure
where access is gained to a heart by navigating a catheter through
a patient's vasculature. Using this procedure will allow a
clinician to perform the procedure while the patent's heart is
still beating. The system depicted in FIGS. 7A-7C has similar
structure to the system depicted in FIGS. 3A-3C. The difference in
the devices is that in the system of 7A-7C both the elongated
delivery catheter and the elongated driver must be flexible so that
they can be delivered to a heart valve through the vasculature,
while the surgical based system of FIGS. 3A-3C does not require the
flexibility that a catheter based system requires. The components
of the system shown in FIGS. 7A-7C are made from the same
biocompatible materials as the systems described above.
[0079] FIG. 7A shows the elongated generally tubular delivery
member 720 having a handle 721 and a handle cap 722 on the proximal
end of the delivery member 720. The distal end of the delivery
member 720 includes an anchor guide 725 and the distal opening 724
of the driver lumen that communicates through the length of the
delivery member.
[0080] The anchor guide 725 is configured to conform to the shape
of at least a portion of the valve annulus when the anchor guide is
placed next to a valve annulus at the treatment site. In one
embodiment of the invention, the anchor guide is configured to
conform to the annulus adjacent the posterior leaflet of a mitral
valve. In another embodiment of the invention, the anchor guide is
configured to conform to the annulus adjacent the anterior leaflet
of a mitral valve.
[0081] An elongated helical anchor driver 730 includes a driver
knob 731 on the proximal end of the driver and a threaded portion
737 adjacent the knob. A distal portion 735 of the driver is
connected to a helical anchor 745. The driver can be made from any
biocompatible material sufficient to allow the driver to rotate and
to move longitudinally inside of the delivery member, and translate
the rotation and movement to the helical anchor. The both the
delivery member 720 and the driver 730 must be flexible enough to
allow the system to negotiate the turns and curves required for an
approach to a heart through a patient's vasculature.
[0082] Referring again to FIG. 7A, the system also includes a
flexible elongated tether 750 having a first end 751 and a second
end 752. The tether 750 is delivered to the treatment site in a
looped configuration with first and second ends extending outside
the patient's body during the implantation procedure. If additional
helical anchors are desired, the ends of the tether are threaded
through an additional driver, helical anchor and delivery member
based on where the preceding helical anchor was implanted and where
the new helical anchor will be planted relative to the preceding
helical anchor.
[0083] To use the system, the first end 751 of the tether 750 is
threaded into a tether lumen 734 at the proximal end of the driver
and out through an inner channel of the helical anchor 745. The
tether is then threaded into the driver lumen and into a tether
lumen (not shown) in the anchor guide 725. The tether exits the end
of the anchor guide and is routed back up through the driver lumen
and exits the handle 721 through another tether lumen (not
shown).
[0084] Referring to FIG. 7B, the driver 730 is inserted into the
driver lumen of the delivery member 720 and advanced until the
threaded portion 737 makes contact with a complementary threaded
portion (not shown) on the interior of the delivery member handle
721. When the driver has been advanced to the point where the
threaded portion on the driver makes contact with the threaded
portion on the handle, the helical anchor 745 will be located
adjacent to the anchor guide. The anchor guide 725 would then be
aligned with a valve annulus and placed on the annulus in the
desire location for implanting the helical anchor.
[0085] Referring now to FIG. 7C, the driver knob 731 is rotated so
that the threaded portion 737 on the driver is screwed into the
complementary threaded portion of the delivery member 720. As the
driver is threaded into the delivery member, the distal portion of
the driver rotates and moves toward the distal opening 724 of the
delivery member until the distal end of the helical anchor is
extended from the delivery member and the distal end is rotated
into and out of the valve annulus while the helical anchor is
rotated along the anchor guide.
[0086] In some embodiments of the systems of the current invention,
the helical anchor is engaged to the distal tip of the driver and
the driver and helical anchor are placed in the delivery member
such that the anchor guide is already in the inner channel of the
helical anchor. In other embodiments, the extended distal tip of
the helical anchor catches the anchor guide, as the distal end of
the helical anchor extends from the distal opening of the delivery
member, and the helical anchor rotates itself onto and along the
delivery guide as the driver is threaded into the delivery
member.
[0087] Once the helical anchor is implanted, the anchor guide is
withdrawn into the delivery member. After the anchor guide is
removed from the inner channel of the helical anchor, a portion of
the tether remains disposed in the helical anchor such that one end
of the tether extends from the distal end of the helical anchor and
the other end of the tether extends from the proximal end of the
helical anchor.
[0088] The delivery member and driver are then withdrawn from the
area of the valve annulus. The tether slides freely through the
tether lumens or other portions of the delivery member and driver
while they are being withdrawn, and it can be completely removed
from those portions of the system such that the ends extend outside
of a patient's body while a portion of the tether is disposed in
the inner channel of the helical anchor implanted in the patient's
heart valve annulus.
[0089] In some embodiments of the invention where additional
helical anchors are desired, the delivery member and driver are
withdrawn and additional delivery members and drivers are selected.
The tether is threaded into tether channels or other appropriate
structure of the delivery members, drivers, and helical anchors
such that the helical anchors can be implanted. The tether is
threaded through the additional drivers, helical anchors, and
delivery members based on where the preceding helical anchor was
implanted and where the new helical anchor will be planted relative
to the preceding helical anchor.
[0090] In at least one embodiment where multiple helical anchors
are desired, the delivery member is left inside of a patient's body
and the driver is withdrawn from the delivery member. The tether is
threaded into an additional helical anchor and driver. The driver
is then inserted into the delivery member and advanced so that the
helical anchor is at the distal opening in the delivery member. The
anchor guide is then manipulated so that it is placed on the
portion of the valve annulus where the additional helical anchor is
desired, and the helical anchor is implanted as described above.
Other additional helical anchors can be implanted using the same
delivery member, or the delivery member can be withdrawn and other
additional helical anchors implanted using additional delivery
members and drivers as described above.
[0091] Once a desired number of helical anchors have been
implanted, the clinician forms a loop out of the tether and makes
the loop smaller to apply a force to the helical anchors and modify
the shape of the valve annulus. When the shape of the valve annulus
has reached a desired level of modification, the tether is tied
using a traditional surgeons knot so that the valve annulus will be
maintained in the desired state of modification. Any excess
material on the tether is then trimmed away.
[0092] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate other embodiments of annulus
modification systems in accordance with the present invention. The
systems depicted in the figures can be used for implanting helical
anchors using a minimally invasive surgical procedure. The systems
include many of the same components as those systems described
above and thus will not be described in great detail. Referring to
FIG. 8, system 800 comprises a system having an elongated tubular
helical anchor 820 with an anchor guide 825 on the distal end
thereof. A handle 821 is located on the proximal end of the
delivery member. A driver 830 is disposed in a helical anchor lumen
(not shown). A driver knob 831 is disposed on the proximal end of
the driver, and a helical anchor (not shown) is disposed on the
distal end. A tether (not shown) is disposed within the driver and
delivery member. The anchor guide has a curved shaped to correspond
with the shape of a portion of the heart valve. The system includes
other components similar to those described above and it works the
same way as those described above.
[0093] Referring now to FIG. 9, system 900 comprises a system
having an elongated tubular helical anchor 920 with an anchor guide
925 on the distal end thereof. A handle 921 is located on the
proximal end of the delivery member. A driver 930 is disposed in a
helical anchor lumen (not shown). A driver knob 931 is disposed on
the proximal end of the driver, and a helical anchor (not shown) is
disposed on the distal end. A tether (not shown) is disposed within
the driver and delivery member. The anchor guide of the depicted
embodiment has a relatively straight shape for use in implanting
helical anchors along relatively straight portions of a valve
annulus. The system includes other components similar to those
described above and it works the same way as those described
above.
[0094] FIGS. 10 through 17 illustrate the variety of shapes that
the anchor guides of the current invention can have. FIG. 10 shows
the distal end of a delivery member 1020 having a generally linear
anchor guide 1025. The linear anchor guide can be used for
implanting helical anchors in a location where a valve annulus is
relatively straight. FIG. 11 shows the distal end of a delivery
member 1120 having a large radius curve anchor guide 1125 that is
suited for implanting helical anchors where a valve annulus has a
gentle/large radius curvature. FIG. 12 depicts the distal end of a
delivery member 1220 having an anchor guide with a plurality of
straight sections along its length. The anchor guide depicted in
FIG. 12 is suited for a valve annulus that has a very tight curve
radius at a location where a helical anchor is desired. In another
embodiment (not depicted) the anchor guide can have a plurality of
curved sections having different radii for implanting a helical
anchor on a section of a valve annulus where the radius of
curvature changes along the annulus. FIGS. 13 through 17 illustrate
a plurality of anchor guides 1325, 1425, 1525, 2625, & 1725
having a variety of shapes. A clinician can choose delivery members
for implanting helical anchors based on the size of the valve
annulus, the shape of the valve annulus, the shape of the delivery
member relative to the shape valve annulus, and the length of the
helical anchor to be implanted.
[0095] Various embodiments of the current invention include
annuloplasty devices comprising a single helical anchor and a
tether or a plurality of helical anchors and a tether. After the
helical anchors of the various embodiments are implanted in a heart
valve annulus, the tether is manipulated to apply a force to the
helical anchors and modify the shape of the heart valve annulus. In
some cases, the tether is formed into a loop and the loop is made
progressively smaller until a desired degree of modification has
been achieved at which time either a knot or other locking device
is placed on the tether to secure the loop and maintain the desired
state of annulus modification.
[0096] In other cases a bead or other device that is too big to
pass through the inner channel of a helical anchor is secured to
one end of the tether and tension is applied to the other end of
the tether to pull the bead against one end of a helical anchor.
The application of tension is continued until the shape of the
valve annulus has reached a desired state of modification and the
tether is secured using another locking device on the other end of
the helical anchor or group of helical anchors.
[0097] When the annuloplasty devices of the current invention are
implanted using the traditional surgical approach (as described
above), the clinician can tie the ends of the tether using a
surgeon's knot or other knot to maintain the desired state of
annulus modification. Similarly, when a single helical anchor is
used and the clinician decides to alter the shape of the valve
annulus and secure the ends of the tether to the helical anchor;
the clinician can simply tie the ends of the tether to the helical
anchor. Thus, the tether locking devices described immediately
below are used more often for devices installed using minimally
invasive surgical techniques (described below) or catheter based
delivery (described below). However, the locking devices below can
be used for annuloplasty devices installed using a more traditional
surgical approach.
[0098] Referring now to FIGS. 18A and 18B, there can be seen a
locking device according to the current invention. The locking
device comprises a stop member 1855 having a size and shape that
will prevent the stop member from entering the inner channel of a
helical anchor. In some embodiments of the invention, the stop 1855
will be smaller than the outer diameter of a helical anchor but
larger than the diameter of the inner channel. This will allow the
stop member to be delivered through a delivery member or guide
catheter.
[0099] The stop member has at least one lumen communicating through
the stop member. A plurality of locking members 1856 can be spaced
along the portion of the tether 1850 that will be inside of the
helical anchors. The locking members 1856 have a proximal end and a
distal end with a plurality of integral legs 1857 that extend at an
angle from the locking member. The locking members are made from
material having suitable flexibility to allow the legs to compress
radially inward when pulled or otherwise moved through the stop
member proximal end first, and then recoil radially outward so that
they will not pass distally through the stop member. FIG. 18B shows
that as the stop member is pushed distally (in the direction of the
arrows) along the tether 1850, it is pushed over the locking
member. Once the stop member has passed the locking member, it
cannot move proximally along the tether unless the legs of the
locking member are compressed radially inward.
[0100] The locking members can be tapered such that the outer
diameter of the member at its proximal end is smaller than the
outer diameter of the member at more distal locations. The largest
outer diameter of the locking members is small enough to allow the
locking members to pass through the tether lumen in the systems
described herein that used stop members to secure the tether.
[0101] FIG. 19 shows another embodiment of a locking device having
a shorter stop member 1955 and locking member 1956 on a tether 1950
than the stop member and locking member depicted in FIGS. 18A and
18B. In one embodiment of the invention, if a clinician determines
that too much of the tension member has been withdrawn through the
proximal helical anchor, a delivery sheath or similar device can be
passed over the locking members to compress the legs inward. The
sheath is then moved distally through the tether stop until the
locking members are distal of the tether stop, at which time the
sheath is withdrawn.
[0102] Other embodiments of stop members can have two biaxial
lumens and the portion of the tether that is disposed in the inner
channel of an annuloplasty device can have locking members at each
end thereof, whereby the locking members at one end of the
annuloplasty device are oriented in an opposite direction from the
locking members at the other end of the annuloplasty device. In the
embodiments having two lumens, the first and second ends of the
tether are each passed through a different lumen and a force is
applied to move the locking members through the lumens until the
desired state of modification has been achieved.
[0103] In yet other embodiments having a single helical anchor, the
tether can be secured to the helical anchor at one or both ends by
stop members, and the tether can also be knotted to the stop
members at one or both ends. Another method for securing the tether
to a single helical anchor is to tie the tether to at least one end
of the helical anchor.
[0104] In some embodiments of the invention the locking device is a
knot or friction hitch that is tied such that it can move in one
direction along the tether but not in another direction. One
skilled in the art of knot tying will recognize that there are
several such knots or hitches that would be suited for use as a
locking device. Regardless of the knot/hitch used, the locking
device must only be able to move distally along the tether, and it
must not slip after a loop has been tightened to modify the shape
of a valve annulus. Referring now to FIG. 20 there can be seen
another locking device according to the current invention, wherein
the locking device is a knot. The knot 2055 shown in the figure is
a snell or snelled knot wherein one end 2051 of the tether 2050 is
tied to the other end of the tether 2052 to form a loop. The knot
2055 is then moved distally along the other end 2052 of the tether
toward a helical anchor to make the loop smaller until the desired
state of modification in the valve annulus has been achieved.
[0105] The locking devices of the current invention can be made
from any suitable biocompatible material including polymeric
material such as, but not limited to, polyurethane, polyethylene,
nylon and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The locking devices can
be made from can be made from rigid plastics or metals such as
stainless steel or other suitable metals, and it can be made from a
combination of two or more of these materials. One embodiment of
the current invention has tether stops and locking devices made
from stainless steel and another embodiment has tether stops made
from hard plastic and locking devices made from a shape memory
alloy. Still another embodiment of the invention has tether stops
made from stainless steel and locking members made from a flexible
biocompatible polymer.
[0106] Regardless of the locking device used to secure the tether
and maintain the desired level of modification of the valve
annulus, the locking device will likely be placed on the tether at
a location outside of a patient's body and then moved distally
along the tether. Additionally, once the valve annulus has been
modified and the locking device has been secured, any excess tether
must be removed from the patient's body.
[0107] Referring now to FIGS. 21A and 21 B, there is shown a lock
pusher and tether cutting device 2170 according to the current
invention. The lock pusher comprises a generally elongated tubular
member 2172 having a distal end, a proximal end, a tether channel,
an exterior, and an opening 2177 in the distal tip of the elongated
member. At least one tether portal 2179 communicates from the
exterior of the lock pusher into the tether channel on the distal
portion of the lock pusher. The lock pusher is slidably disposed
inside of a generally elongated tubular cutting member 2173 that
has a sharpened blade portion 2175 located at a distal end thereof,
and a proximal end.
[0108] Referring to FIGS. 22A-22E; when the helical anchors 2245A
& 2245B of an annuloplasty device according to the current
invention is implanted in a heart valve annulus via minimally
invasive surgery or delivered via catheter, the locking device 2255
will be placed on either the first end of the tether, the second
end of the tether or both. As shown in the FIGS, the locking device
is a knot 2255 made by tying the first end 2251 of the tether 2250
around a portion of the second end 2252 of the tether. The locking
device will then be moved for a short distance in a distal
direction so that the free end or free ends of the tether can be
inserted into the opening 2279 in the distal tip of the lock pusher
2272 and then extend out of the tether portal 2279. The lock pusher
will then be advanced to the helical anchor following the same path
that the annuloplasty device delivery member followed. As the lock
pusher is advanced distally from the ends of the tether a force is
exerted on the helical anchor or helical anchors and the shape of
the valve is modified.
[0109] Once a desired level of modification is achieved, the
clinician stops the distal movement of the lock pusher and secures
the free ends of the tether to prevent them from moving distally.
Once the free ends of the tether are secured, the cutting member
2273 is slid towards the helical anchors along the exterior of the
lock pusher while the lock pusher is held in place. The sharpened
blade portion 2275 on the distal end of the cutting member cuts the
tether so that any excess tether can be removed from a patient's
body. The lock pusher is then withdrawn from the patient's
body.
[0110] The distance between the distal end of the lock pusher and
the tether portal is sufficient to prevent a locking member that is
just proximal of a tether stop, from exiting the tether portal and
being cut from the tether. If a friction hitch or other knot is
used or if one end of the tether is secured to a tether stop via a
knot, only one end of the tether will be free. Other embodiments of
lock pushers according to the current invention can have the
cutting member slidably disposed within the interior of the
generally elongate tubular lock pusher.
[0111] If a tether stop having two biaxial lumens is used for a
tether having locking members at both ends of the portion that is
disposed within the inner channel of a helical anchor or helical
anchors, one end of the tether is placed in the lock pusher while
the other end is held outside of the patient's body. The lock
pusher is then used to advance the tether stop distally to the
helical anchor until the tether stop passes over one locking
member. The lock pusher is then withdrawn and the other end of the
tether is placed in the distal end of the lock pusher and out
through the tether portal. The lock pusher is then advanced
distally to engage the tether stop and advance the tether stop over
the locking members on the tether until a desired degree of
modification has been achieved for the valve annulus. The tether is
then trimmed as described above and the lock pusher is withdrawn
and used to trim the excess off of the other end of the tether as
described above.
[0112] The components of the knot pusher and cutting member can be
made from any suitable biocompatible material. The knot pusher can
be made of flexible, biocompatible polymeric material such as, but
not limited to, polyurethane, polyethylene, nylon and
polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), it can be made from rigid plastics
or metals such as stainless steel or other suitable metals, and it
can be made from a combination of two or more of these
materials.
[0113] The cutting member can also be made from flexible,
biocompatible polymeric material such as, but not limited to,
polyurethane, polyethylene, nylon and polytetrafluoroethylene
(PTFE). Portions of the cutting member can be made from rigid
plastics or metals such as stainless steel of other suitable metals
as long as the distal portion of the driver is made from a flexible
material that will allow it to negotiated curved portions of the
delivery member. In one embodiment, the proximal portion of the
cutting member is made from a flexible polymer and the sharpened
blade portion is made from stainless steel and affixed to the
distal end of the cutting member by a biocompatible adhesive.
[0114] The lumens of the lock pushers and cutting members of the
current invention can be coated with a lubricious material such as
silicone, polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE), or a hydrophilic coating.
The lubricious interior surfaces facilitate the longitudinal
movement the members relative to each other when the tether is
being trimmed.
[0115] After the procedure is complete, the location of the locking
device will be based on the number of helical anchors, the method
used to deploy the helical anchors and the desire of the clinician.
When the annuloplasty devices of the current invention are used to
treat mitral regurgitation, it is possible to place the helical
anchor device at any desire location along the valve annulus that
does not have a helical anchor implanted in it. The most common
locations for leaving the helical anchor when treating mitral
regurgitation are along the annulus at a location adjacent the
posterior commisure, at a location adjacent near the left trigone,
at a point that is located along the anterior portion of the
annulus, at a location near the right trigone, and at a location
adjacent to the anterior commisure. Locking devices are generally
located adjacent the posterior commisure or left trigone when the
annuloplasty devices of the current invention have been implanted
using a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Locking devices age
generally located near the anterior commisure or right trigone when
the annuloplasty devices are implanted using a catheter based
method.
[0116] If the annuloplasty device uses a single helical anchor or
if the clinician chooses to put a helical anchor stop or knot at
each end of the device, as opposed to forming a loop, then the
force is applied to reshape the annulus based on the method of
access to the mitral valve. Access via a minimally invasive
surgical procedure usually means that the shape modification force
is applied from the proximal commisure or left trigone area. Access
via a catheter based method usually means that the modification
force is applied from the anterior commisure or right trigone
area.
[0117] When a clinician is manipulating the tether of the current
invention to modify the valve annulus of a beating heart, such as
with a minimally invasive surgical procedure of a catheter based
procedure, the degree of modification can be monitored using
fluoroscopy or any other imaging procedure that is known for
measuring valvular regurgitation. Once the desired degree of
modification has been achieved, the tether is secured using a
locking device as described above.
[0118] To achieve the desired degree of modification, a treating
clinician must take care to not exert too much force on the valve
annulus. Thus, the clinician should apply a force slowly and
increase it incrementally while continuously monitoring. A
clinician can also use a device for measuring the amount of force
applied to ensure that not too much force is being used. This
assists the clinician in making sure that the helical anchor is not
pulled out of the valve annulus by too much force. In an embodiment
having a single helical anchor implanted on the posterior portion
of a mitral valve annulus between the posterior commisure and the
anterior commisure and a single helical anchor along the anterior
portion of the mitral valve annulus between the left and right
trigone, maximum modification can be achieved by applying a
constant tension force of six pounds close a loop and leave the
helical anchor at a location adjacent to either the posterior
commisure or the anterior commisure while constantly monitoring to
check on the level of mitral regurgitation. In a single helical
anchor embodiment or a multiple helical anchor embodiment implanted
along the posterior commisure, and not using a loop, maximum
modification can be achieved by applying constant tension force of
just over four pounds from either end of the helical anchor or
helical anchors. Once the desired state of modification has been
achieved, and the tether lock has been placed, the annuloplasty
device remains under a force load.
[0119] FIG. 23 illustrates a mitral valve with the rest of the
heart structure removed for clarity. The valve has a posterior
commisure 17, an anterior commisure 18, an annulus with a posterior
portion 8 and an anterior portion 9. A left trigone 15 and a right
trigone 16 are located along the anterior portion of the
annulus.
[0120] FIGS. 24 to 28 illustrate a variety of embodiments of
annuloplasty devices according to the current invention. The
devices shown in the FIGS. can be implanted in a temporarily
stopped heart using a traditional surgical method for accessing the
valve. The devices can also be implanted in a beating heart using a
minimally invasive surgical methods or catheter based methods to
access the valve. To provide for clarity in the illustrations, the
tethers are not shown in the inner channels of the helical anchors
of the FIGS.
[0121] FIG. 24 illustrates a mitral valve having a single helical
anchor 2345 implanted along the posterior portion of the annulus
between the posterior commisure 2317 and the anterior commisure
2318. A tether (not shown) is disposed in the inner channel of the
helical anchor and a pair of helical anchor stops 2355A & 2355B
are disposed at the ends of the tether. The shape of the valve is
modified by applying tension from either end of the helical anchor
to shorten the length of the helical anchor along the annulus. In
other embodiments of the invention having a single helical anchor,
the tether can be tied to the helical anchor at one or both ends to
secure the tether and to maintain the desired level of modification
of the valve. Implanting a single helical anchor embodiment or a
multiple helical anchor embodiment on the posterior side of a
mitral valve annulus allows a clinician to avoid the portion of the
valve near the aorta and thus reduces the potential for piercing
the aorta wall.
[0122] FIG. 25 illustrates an annuloplasty device according to the
current invention having a single helical anchor 2445A implanted
along the posterior portion of a mitral valve annulus between the
posterior commisure 2417 and the anterior commisure 2418. Another
helical anchor 2445B is implanted along the anterior portion of the
valve annulus between the left and right trigones. A tether 2450 is
disposed in the inner channels of the helical anchors and a tether
lock 2455 is located at a point along the helical anchor that is
adjacent to the posterior commisure. In this embodiment, the shape
of the valve is modified by applying a force to make the loop in
the tether smaller until the desired level of modification has been
achieved and a locking device is placed on the tether to maintain
the desired state of modification.
[0123] FIG. 26 illustrates a mitral valve having three helical
anchors 2545A, 2545B, & 2545C implanted along the posterior
portion of the annulus between the posterior commisure 2517 and the
anterior commisure 2518. A tether is disposed in the inner channels
of the helical anchors and a locking device 2555 is located
adjacent to the posterior commisure. In this embodiment, the shape
of the valve is modified by applying a force to make the loop in
the tether smaller until the desired level of modification has been
achieved and a locking device is placed on the tether to maintain
the desired state of modification. In other embodiments having
multiple helical anchors along the posterior portion of the
annulus, a clinician may choose not to form a loop from the tether
and the shape of the valve is modified by applying tension from
either end of the group of helical anchors to shorten the length of
the helical anchors along the annulus.
[0124] FIG. 27 illustrates a mitral valve having three helical
anchors 2645A, 2645B, & 2645C implanted along the posterior
portion of the annulus between the posterior commisure 2617 and the
anterior commisure 2618, and a pair of helical anchors 2645D &
2645E along the anterior portion of the valve annulus between the
left and right trigones. A tether 2650 is disposed in the inner
channels of the helical anchors and a tether lock 2655 is located
at a point along the helical anchor that is adjacent to the
anterior commisure. In this embodiment, the shape of the valve is
modified by applying a force to make the loop in the tether smaller
until the desired level of modification has been achieved and a
locking device is placed on the tether to maintain the desired
state of modification.
[0125] FIG. 28 illustrates a mitral valve having a single helical
anchor 2745 implanted along the posterior portion of the annulus
between left trigone 2715 and the right trigone 2716. A tether is
disposed in the inner channels of the helical anchors and a locking
device 2755 is located along the anterior portion of the annulus.
In this embodiment, the shape of the valve is modified by applying
a force to make the loop in the tether smaller until the desired
level of modification has been achieved and a locking device is
placed on the tether to maintain the desired state of modification.
In other embodiments having a single helical anchor, a clinician
may choose not to form a loop from the tether and the shape of the
valve is modified by applying tension from either end of the
helical anchor to shorten the length of the helical anchor along
the annulus.
[0126] The helical anchors of the annuloplasty devices shown and
discussed above are longitudinally implanted in an annulus of a
heart valve. In embodiments using a single helical anchor, the
number of coils per inch and the thickness of the material used for
the helical anchors are selected to allow the helical anchors to be
longitudinally contracted after they are implanted.
[0127] After the helical anchors are implanted in the annulus of a
heart valve (as described above), a force is applied to the tether.
The force on the tether modifies the shape of the valve annulus and
increases coaption of the valve leaflets.
[0128] The helical anchors can be longitudinally implanted into a
valve annulus via catheter based delivery or minimally invasive
surgical delivery as described above. Additionally, all of the
helical anchors of the current invention can be implanted during
more traditional on bypass open heart surgical procedures.
[0129] One exemplary method that can be used for accessing a
beating heart via minimally invasive surgical procedures to treat
mitral regurgitation generally can start with intubating a patient
with a double-lumen endobronchial tube that allows selective
ventilation or deflation of the right and left lungs. The left lung
is deflated, thereby helping to provide access to the surface of
the heart. The patient is rotated approximately 30 degrees with the
left side facing upwardly. The left arm is placed below and behind
the patient so as not to interfere with tool manipulation during
the procedure. While port positions depend to a large extent on
heart size and position, in general a seventh and fifth space mid
(to posterior) axillary port for tools and a third space anterior
axillary port for the scope is preferable. A variety of endoscopes
or thoracoscopes may be used including a 30-degree offset viewing
scope or a straight ahead viewing scope. In general, short 10 to 12
mm ports are sufficient. Alternatively, a soft 20 mm port with an
oval cross-section sometimes allows for two tools in the port
without compromising patient morbidity.
[0130] In one embodiment of the present invention, passages are
made through a patient's skin into the thoracic cavity, such as the
passage 19 illustrated in FIG. 29. The passages may be formed by
employing one-piece rods or trocars of prescribed diameters and
lengths that are advanced through body tissue to form the passage,
which are subsequently removed so that other instruments can be
advanced through the passage. The passage may instead be formed by
employing two-piece trocars that comprise a tubular outer sleeve,
which is sometimes referred to as a port or cannula or as the
tubular access sleeve itself, having a sleeve access lumen
extending between lumen end openings at the sleeve proximal end and
sleeve distal end. The two-piece trocar can further include an
inner puncture core or rod that fits within the sleeve access
lumen. The inner puncture rod typically has a tissue penetrating
distal end that extends distally from the sleeve distal end when
the inner puncture rod is fitted into the sleeve access lumen for
use. The two-piece trocar can be assembled and advanced as a unit
through body tissue, and then the inner puncture rod is removed,
thereby leaving the tubular access sleeve in place to maintain a
fixed diameter passage through the tissue for use by other
instruments.
[0131] In one embodiment, a tubular access sleeve is placed through
a passage that is made as described above in the chest wall of a
patient between the patient's second rib and sixth rib, for
example. The selection of the exact location of the passage is
dependent upon a patient's particular anatomy. A further
conventional tubular access sleeve can be placed in a different
passage that is also made in the chest wall of patient.
[0132] In accordance with one method used in the invention, the
patient's left lung is deflated to allow unobstructed observation
of the pericardium employing a thoracoscope or other imaging device
that is inserted through a sleeve lumen of a tubular access sleeve.
The thoracoscope or other imaging device may have its own light
source for illuminating the surgical field. Deflation of the
patient's lung may be accomplished in a number of ways, such as by
inserting a double lumen endotracheal tube into the trachea, and
independently ventilating the right, left or both lungs. The left
lung can be collapsed for visualization of the structures of the
left hemi-sternum when ventilation of the left lung is halted and
the left thoracic negative pressure is relieved through a lumen of
the tubular access sleeve or a further access sleeve to atmospheric
pressure. After deflation, the thoracic cavity may be suffused with
a gas (e.g., carbon dioxide) that is introduced through a lumen of
the tubular access sleeve or the further access sleeve to
pressurize the cavity to keep it open and sterile. The pressurized
gas keeps the deflated lung away from the left heart so that the
left heart can be viewed and accessed and provides a working space
for the manipulation of the tools of the present invention. It will
be understood that the access sleeve lumens must be sealed with
seals about instruments introduced through the lumens if
pressurization is to be maintained.
[0133] A thoracoscope can then be inserted into the lumen of a
tubular access sleeve to permit wide angle observation of the
thoracic cavity by a surgeon directly through an eyepiece or
indirectly through incorporation of a miniaturized image capture
device (e.g., a digital camera) at the distal end of the
thoracoscope or optically coupled to the eyepiece that is in turn
coupled to an external video monitor. The thoracoscope may also
incorporate a light source for illuminating the cavity with visible
light so that the epicardial surface can be visualized. The
thoracoscope may be used to directly visualize the thoracic cavity
and obtain a left lateral view of the pericardial sac or
pericardium over the heart.
[0134] The elongated access sleeve provides an access sleeve lumen,
enabling introduction of the distal end of a pericardial access
tool. The tubular access sleeve and the pericardial access tool are
employed to create an incision in the pericardial sac so that the
clinician can view and access the left free wall of the heart.
After the clinician gains access to the heart, a continuous
circular suture (commonly know and referred to herein as a purse
string suture) is placed in the free wall of the left atrium at a
location near the commisure of the mitral valve, and above the
coronary sinus. The wall is then punctured inside the perimeter of
the suture. The wall can be punctured using a special puncture
device, or the distal end of the delivery members described herein
can be used to puncture the wall.
[0135] The distal end of a first delivery member can then be
advanced through the elongated access sleeve, through the puncture
formed through the myocardium, and placed against the mitral valve
annulus on either the anterior leaflet side (anterior side) or
posterior leaflet side (posterior side) of the valve. At least a
portion of a device for treating mitral regurgitation can then be
implanted. The first delivery member is then withdrawn. The distal
end of a second delivery member, which may be generally the same or
different from the delivery member 10, is then advanced through the
elongated access sleeve, through the puncture formed through the
myocardium, and placed against the mitral valve annulus on the
other of the anterior or posterior side of the valve. The remainder
of the device for treating mitral regurgitation can then be
implanted. The second delivery member is then withdrawn and the
purse string is tightened to close the puncture. The lung can then
be inflated, the instruments withdrawn from the patient, and all
openings closed. The procedure outside of the heart can be viewed
through a scope as disclosed above, and the procedure inside the
heart can be visualized and imaged using fluoroscopy,
echocardiography, ultrasound, EM imaging, other suitable means of
visualization/imaging, or combinations of the aforementioned
visualization methods. Visualization techniques may also be used to
map the heart prior to beginning the minimally invasive procedure.
Mapping the heart provides details as to the size and shape of the
valve annulus to be treated and the extent of deformation of the
valve, itself.
[0136] FIGS. 30, 31, and 32 illustrate an exemplary placement of
delivery members of the current invention inside the heart. FIGS.
30 and 31 are illustrations showing cross-sectional views of a
heart 1 having tricuspid valve 2 and tricuspid valve annulus 3.
Mitral valve 4 is adjacent mitral valve annulus 5. Mitral valve 4
is a bicuspid valve having anterior cusp 7 and posterior cusp 6.
Anterior cusp 7 and posterior cusp 6 are often referred to,
respectively, as the anterior and posterior leaflets. Also shown in
the figure are the posterior commisure 17 and the anterior
commisure 18. A purse string suture has been placed in the heart
and the wall is punctured (as described above) at a location 2895
in the atrium wall that is adjacent the posterior commisure of the
posterior and anterior cusp and above the coronary sinus. An
elongated, generally tubular annuloplasty device delivery member
can then be placed into the heart and positioned on the valve
annulus for implantation of an annuloplasty device having a single
helical anchor or a plurality of helical anchors.
[0137] Referring particularly to FIG. 32, the location of the
puncture site 2895 is visible inside of the purse string suture
2897 (the free ends 2898 of the which are visible in the figure),
and a portion of a delivery member 2930 is illustrated for
delivering an annuloplasty device the posterior portion of a mitral
valve annulus. A helical anchor can thereby be implanted in the
correct location.
[0138] Referring now to FIG. 33, a schematic cross-section is
illustrated showing two delivery members 3030A & 3030B on a
mitral valve annulus. In practice, the delivery members are not
inside of the heart at the same time, the figure shows how the
posterior delivery member 3030A and the anterior delivery member
3030B are shaped to provide for insertion of helical anchors along
a major portion of a valve annulus. The distal portions of the
delivery members can be sized and shaped for a particular annulus
based on the previously performed imaging and mapping. As is
represented by the exemplary pronounced curvature of the distal
section of the posterior delivery member 250 in this figure, the
distal section is relatively rigid so that the heart walls can be
shaped to conform to the shape of the valve annulus and the device
distal section for implantation of the helical anchor of a
helically helical anchored device or ring.
[0139] FIGS. 34 and 35 illustrate a catheter based method for
implanting an annuloplasty device having a single helical anchor or
a plurality of helical anchors. FIG. 35 is a longitudinal
cross-sectional view of heart 1 having left atrium 10, left
ventricle 11, right atrium 12, right ventricle 13, mitral valve 4,
mitral valve annulus 5, tricuspid valve 2 and tricuspid valve
annulus 3. An elongated delivery catheter 3130 having an
annuloplasty device with helical anchors according to the current
invention is shown with the distal end of the delivery catheter in
the in the left atrium. When using a catheter based method for
implanting a helically helical anchored annuloplasty device, an
elongate element (not shown), such as a guide catheter, having a
lumen is first installed to provide a path for the annuloplasty
device delivery catheter 3130 from the exterior of the patient to
the left atrium. The annuloplasty device delivery catheter 3130 can
then be advanced through the lumen so that the annuloplasty device
can be implanted in a mitral valve annulus.
[0140] The device used for modifying the shape of the annulus is
delivered using a catheter via the transeptal approach through the
vena cava. The elongate element is inserted through the femoral
vein into the common iliac vein, through the inferior vena cava
into the right atrium 12. The transeptal wall 14 between the right
atrium 12 and left atrium 10 is then punctured (preferably at the
fossa ovalis) with a guide wire or other puncturing device. In one
embodiment of the invention, a Brockenbrough.RTM. needle system as
is currently known in the art can be used to puncture the
septum.
[0141] Regardless of the method used to puncture the septum, the
distal end of the catheter is advanced into the left atrium and the
anchor guide 3125 is positioned adjacent the mitral valve annulus
5. The annuloplasty device can then be advanced through the lumen
of the elongate element to the mitral valve 4 for implantation into
the mitral valve annulus. The anchor guide and helical anchor are
advanced and rotated into the annulus in the manner discussed above
in the description of FIGS. 6 and 7.
[0142] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that alternative
paths to gain access to the left atrium are available. For example,
another possible path would be through the radial vein into the
brachial vein, through the subclavian vein, through the superior
vena cava into the right atrium, and then transeptally into the
left atrium. Yet another possible path would be through the femoral
artery into the aorta, through the aortic valve into the left
ventricle, and then retrograde through the mitral valve into the
left atrium.
[0143] FIG. 36 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a
method to modify the shape of valve annulus according to the
current invention. To practice the current invention a clinician
accesses a heart valve and implants a helical anchor in the valve
annulus 3210. Additional anchors can be implanted 3220 and the
tether is manipulated to apply a force to the anchors and modify
the shape of the valve annulus 3230. Once a desire degree of
modification has been achieved, a locking device is placed on the
tether to secure the annuloplasty device 3240 such that a desired
level of modification has been achieved.
[0144] FIG. 37 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a
catheter based method to modify the shape of valve annulus
according to the current invention. To begin the method, an
elongated delivery catheter is inserted into a patient's
vasculature to gain access to a targeted heart valve annulus 3310.
The distal end of the catheter is positioned adjacent the valve
annulus 3320, and the anchor guide is placed on a portion of the
annulus 3330. A helically anchored annuloplasty device is then
implanted along at least a portion of the annulus 3340. The
delivery catheter is removed from the patient's vasculature 3350,
and a force is applied to modify the shape of the valve annulus
until a desired state of modification has been achieved 3360. Once
a desired state of modification is achieved, a locking device is
then used to secure the annuloplasty device and maintain the
desired state of modification 3370.
[0145] FIG. 38 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a
traditional surgical access based method to modify the shape of
valve annulus according to the current invention. To begin the
method, a clinical will access and visually inspect a targeted
heart valve 3410. Next the distal end of an annuloplasty device
delivery member is positioned adjacent to the targeted valve 3420
and the anchor guide is placed on a portion of the annulus 3430.
The helically anchored annuloplasty device is then implanted along
at least a portion of the annulus 3440 before the delivery member
is removed from the targeted valve 3450. A force is applied to
modify the shape of the valve annulus until a desired state of
modification has been achieved 3460 and the annuloplasty device is
secured to maintain the desired state of modification 3470.
[0146] While the invention has been described with reference to
particular embodiments, it will be understood by one skilled in the
art that variations and modifications may be made in form and
detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
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