Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

Erin M Spinner

Alexander J Siegel

Neil S Zimmerman

Vivian Khalil

Stanton J Rowe

Robert S Schwartz

Robert A Van Tassel

Ronald J Hosmer

Son V Nguyen

Glen Thomas Rabito

Emil Karapetian

Devin H Marr

A method includes advancing a delivery assembly through a patient's vasculature toward a native heart valve of the patient, wherein the delivery assembly comprises a first catheter assembly and a second catheter assembly extending through a shaft of the first catheter assembly, and wherein a support member is in an uncoiled, elongated configuration within a sheath of the first catheter assembly. The support member is deployed from the sheath by pushing the second catheter assembly distally relative to the first catheter assembly so that the support member is uncovered by the sheath and the support member extends around native chordae tendineae and native leaflets of the native heart valve. A prosthetic valve is implanted within the native leaflets of the native heart valve such that the native leaflets are frictionally engaged between the support member and the prosthetic valve.

Method for delivering a support member to a native heart valve

A method of reducing regurgitation between native leaflets of an atrioventricular heart valve includes advancing a delivery catheter through a sheath, wherein the delivery catheter has a valve leaflet coaptation element mounted over a distal end portion. The coaptation element is positioned within the heart valve and is permitted to radially expand from a compressed configuration to an enlarged configuration for filling a gap between the native leaflets of the heart valve. After deployment, the position of the coaptation element is fixed relative to the heart valve, thereby reducing regurgitation between the native leaflets of the heart valve and improving heart function.

Methods for reducing cardiac valve regurgitation

A method includes advancing a delivery assembly through a patient's vasculature toward a native heart valve of the patient, wherein the delivery assembly comprises a first catheter assembly and a second catheter assembly extending through a shaft of the first catheter assembly, and wherein a support member is in an uncoiled, elongated configuration within a sheath of the first catheter assembly. The support member is deployed from the sheath by pushing the second catheter assembly distally relative to the first catheter assembly so that the support member is uncovered by the sheath and the support member extends around native chordae tendineae and/or native leaflets of the native heart valve. A prosthetic valve is implanted within the native leaflets of the native heart valve such that the native chordae tendineae and/or native leaflets are frictionally engaged between the support member and the prosthetic valve.

The present invention relates to devices and methods for improving the function of a defective heart valve, and particularly for reducing regurgitation through an atrioventricular heart valve&#x2014;i.e., the mitral valve or tricuspid valve. For a tricuspid repair, the device includes an anchor deployed in the tissue of the right ventricle, in an orifice opening to the right atrium, or anchored to the tricuspid valve. A flexible anchor rail connects to the anchor and a coaptation element on a catheter rides over the anchor rail. The catheter attaches to the proximal end of the coaptation element, and a locking mechanism fixes the position of the coaptation element relative to the anchor rail. A proximal anchoring feature fixes the proximal end of the coaptation catheter subcutaneously adjacent the subclavian vein. The coaptation element includes an inert covering and helps reduce regurgitation through contact with the valve leaflets.

Systems for placing a coapting member between valvular leaflets

The present invention relates to devices and methods for improving the function of a defective heart valve, and particularly for reducing regurgitation through an atrioventricular heart valve&#x2014;i.e., the mitral valve and the tricuspid valve. For a tricuspid repair, the device includes an anchor deployed in the tissue of the right ventricle, in an orifice opening to the right atrium, or anchored to the tricuspid valve. A flexible anchor rail connects to the anchor and a coaptation element on a catheter rides over the anchor rail. The catheter attaches to the proximal end of the coaptation element, and a locking mechanism fixes the position of the coaptation element relative to the anchor rail. Finally, there is a proximal anchoring feature to fix the proximal end of the coaptation catheter subcutaneously adjacent the subclavian vein. The coaptation element includes an inert covering and helps reduce regurgitation through contact with the valve leaflets.

Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems used to deliver a prosthetic heart valve to a deficient valve. In one embodiment, for instance, a support member is positioned to at least partially surround the native chordae tendineae and/or leaflets of a valve. The support member can comprise a flexible, distensible material to reduce abrasion and other mechanical damage to surrounding structures. A locking member may be used to couple both ends of the support member, forming a support ring. The support member may have two magnetic end portions which can be magnetically coupled to form a support ring. An expandable prosthetic heart valve can be delivered into the native heart valve and expanded within the support band, thereby causing one or more of the native chordae tendineae and/or leaflets of the native heart valve to be frictionally secured between the support ring and the expanded prosthetic heart valve.

Magnetic retaining mechanisms for prosthetic valves

Devices for reducing cardiac valve regurgitation

Implementations of the tissue illumination systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein take advantage of the translucent nature of tissue to reveal properties by light transmission, for example, tissue type, tissue transition locations, underlying structures, and the like, that are not easily distinguished by reflected light. Illuminating a back-side of a translucent tissue permits a user to distinguish between different types of tissue, tissue transition locations, and/or structures that are difficult or impossible to discern under overhead or front-side illumination. Implementations include a light source that is positionable behind a tissue or disposable within a body cavity or duct, for example, within a heart ventricle.

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Newport Beach, CA, United States of America

Erin M Spinner