Patent · US Expired

Devices and methods for heart valve repair

US6986775B2 · kind B2 · utility

843Cited by
44References
36Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 13, 2003
Grant dateJan 17, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 17, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61F2/2451
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Methods and devices provide constriction of a heart valve annulus to treat cardiac valve regurgitation and other conditions. Embodiments typically include a device for attaching a cinching or tightening apparatus to a heart valve annulus to reduce the circumference of the annulus, thus reducing valve regurgitation. Tightening devices may include multiple tethered clips, multiple untethered crimping clips, stabilizing devices, visualization devices, and the like. In one embodiment, a plurality of tethered clips is secured circumferentially to a valve annulus, and the tether coupling the clips is cinched to reduce the circumference of at least a portion of the annulus. Methods and devices may be used in open heart surgical procedures, minimally invasive procedures, catheter-based procedures, and/or procedures on beating hearts or stopped hearts.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.