Heart valve fixation process and apparatus

US6761735B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Medtronic, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Carol E. Eberhardt · Fullerton, US
• Christopher G. Toomes · Orange, US
• Mark J. Capps · Mission Viejo, US
• Billie J. Millwee · Fullerton, US
• Janice L. Shay · Lake Forest, US
• Tom Hessler · Bethel, US
• Faisal Kalam · Anaheim, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 25, 2002
• Grant date: Jul 13, 2004
• Expiry date: Apr 25, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S623/915
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus for limiting longitudinal stretch during fixation of a harvested aortic root including valve leaflets and the product produced. The apparatus includes an inflow plug inserted into the inflow section of the aortic root and having an apertured tube or cannula extending through the valve leaflets to an outflow plug inserted into the outflow section of the aortic root. Apertures in the tube are located on either side of the valve leaflets and the tube is coupled to a fluid inlet, preferably located on the outflow plug. The outflow plug is slidable relative to the tube and is provided with an engagement mechanism such as a setscrew for fixing the location of the outflow plug relative to the tube and the inflow plug. After assembly of the aortic root to the apparatus, the fluid inlet is coupled to a source of defined pressure and the root is inflated. The outflow plug is then fixed relative to the tube to define the maximum elongation of the root and fixative is then delivered to the interior of the root via the apertured tube.