Adjustable cardiac valve implant with selective dimensional adjustment
US7377941B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 6, 2005 |
| Grant date | May 27, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 15, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2250/0082
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods and devices are provided for support of a body structure. The devices can be adjusted within the body of a patient in a minimally invasive or non-invasive manner. Thus, as the body structure changes size and/or shape, the size and/or shape of the annuloplasty rings can be adjusted to provide continued reinforcement. In certain embodiments, the devices include an anterior portion, a posterior portion and two lateral portions corresponding to intersections of the anterior portion and the posterior portion. The devices have a first shape in a first configuration and a second shape in a second configuration and are configured to transform from the first configuration to the second configuration in response to an activation energy applied thereto. The transformation is configured to reduce a distance between the anterior portion and the posterior portion without substantially decreasing a distance between the two lateral portions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.