Methods and apparatus for sizing fresh donor heart valves

US7367984B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Medtronic, Inc. · US

Inventors

• David L. Kulcinski · Minneapolis, US
• Luis Salazar · Walnut, US
• Dana K. Swanson · Murrieta, US
• Gary T. Tsuruta · Lake Forest, US
• Roxanna K. Kendall · Riverside, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 7, 2003
• Grant date: May 6, 2008
• Expiry date: Feb 28, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61F2/2472
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A fresh donor tissue valve isolation annulus size comprising a handle and trigger or crank knob manipulated by the user moves a movable probe into proximity with a stationary probe so that the probes can be inserted into the tissue valve lumen. The user releases the trigger or crank, and a biasing mechanism urges the movable probe away from the stationary probe until the resistance presented by the valve annulus equals the biasing force. A gage coupled to the movable probe displays a measure of the valve annulus diameter as a function of the distance that the movable probe moves away from the stationary probe until restrained from further movement by the fresh tissue valve annulus.