Method and apparatus for sizing, stabilizing and/or reducing the circumference of an anatomical structure
US5961539A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 17, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 5, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 17, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/0406
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An annuloplasty system is disclosed that respects the uniqueness of each anterior mitral or tricuspid valve leaflet as the appropriate template for an annuloplasty ring. Each dilated tissue annulus is brought to a precise anterior mitral or tricuspid leaflet perimeter dimension, rather than to the dimension of a specific-sized annuloplasty ring. Thus, precise measured plication of the dilated mitral or tricuspid annulus is possible in every case, resulting in mitral or tricuspid repair with greater predictability and reproduceability. Substantially rigid suture support segments to be placed at least partially circumferentially about an anatomical structure, such as a heart valve, are delivered to the heart valve by a plurality of linked-together segment holders. The segment holders also function as sizing elements for precisely and easily measuring the perimeter of an anterior mitral or tricuspid leaflet, for example. The segments are enclosed in a double layer of autologous viable pericardium, according to one embodiment, forming a pericardial tube. Together, the pericardial tube and the segments create an annuloplasty ring presenting significant advantages over the prior art. Dev…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.