Devices and methods for percutaneous mitral valve repair
US6312447A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 13, 1999 |
| Grant date | Nov 6, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 13, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/306
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Devices and methods are provided for diagnosing and repairing mitral valve defects such as mitral valve regurgitation. According to an exemplary method, mitral valve function is visualized by transesophageal echocardiography. A catheter (10) is inserted along the venous system of the patient through the left and right atria (a, b) into the mitral valve (26). A suction tip (25) grasps the leaflets (28, 30) of the mitral valve (26) to immobilize and juxtapose the leaflets (28, 30) at a point simulating a stitch, and the mitral valve (26) is again observed to confirm that fastening at that point will repair the prolapse or other defect. The mitral valve leaflets (28, 30) are then fastened together via a fastener such as a staple (44) or shape memory rivet (44). The fastener (44) may be inserted by a stapling assembly (40) in the catheter (10), or by a separate stapler (40) that is inserted along an arterial path from the opposite direction and guided along a transcardiac rail to the immobilized point. Upon completion of the repair process, the mitral valve (26) is once again visualized by transesophageal echocardiography to determine whether repair thereof has been effected.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.