Connectors for two piece heart valves and methods for implanting such heart valves

Abstract

A heart valve assembly includes an annular prosthesis including an annular member and a sewing cuff extending radially from the annular member, and a valve member including a frame and a plurality of leaflets carried by struts. The annular prosthesis includes a plurality of pockets extending upwardly from the annular prosthesis for receiving a portion of the frame for securing the valve member to the annular prosthesis. Each pocket may include a flexible rim extending upwardly the sewing cuff and a cover at least partially defining a recess. The rim may be deflectable radially outwardly to accommodate a portion of the frame being received in the recess, and may be resiliently biased to return inwardly when released to cover the portion of the frame with the respective cover. The valve member may be further secured to the annular prosthesis by an interference fit between the rim and the frame.

Description

BACKGROUND [0001] Prosthetic heart valves can replace defective human valves in patients. For example, one piece valves have been suggested that include sewing rings or suture cuffs that are attached to and extend around the outer circumference of a prosthetic valve. In addition, multiple component valves have also been suggested that include a sewing ring that is separate from a valve component. The sewing rings of either type of prosthetic valve can be tedious and time consuming to secure within a target site, i.e., within an annulus of a heart where a natural heart valve has been removed. [0002] For example, to implant a sewing ring within an annulus of a heart, between twelve and twenty sutures may be secured initially to tissue surrounding the annulus. The sewing ring and / or the entire prosthetic valve may then be advanced or “parachuted” down the sutures into the annulus. Knots may then be tied with the sutures to secure the sewing ring within the annulus, whereupon the suture...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] In one embodiment, the sewing cuff may be conformable for at least partially adopting a shape of tissue above or within the biological annulus. In addition or alternatively, the sewing cuff may be penetrable by fasteners for securing the sewing cuff to tissue surrounding the sinus cavity. Optionally, the sewing cuff may include one or more conformable elements, e.g., a plurality of flexible ribs and / or a lattice, e.g., to enhance sealing between the prosthetic valve and the annulus member. For example, the conformable element(s) may include a silicone, foam, fabric, or other core secured within fabric to provide the sewing cuff having sufficiently flexibility to conform to yet provide a seal against the surrounding tissue.

[0011] In one embodiment, the sewing cuff may be resiliently flexible for conforming at least partially to the multiple lobular shape of the prosthetic valve and / or to the surrounding tissue, e.g., to enhance a seal between the prosthetic valve, the annular member, and / or the surrounding tissue. In addition or alternatively, the prosthetic valve, annular member, and / or sewing cuff may include a flexible skirt for enhancing a seal between the prosthetic valve and the annular prosthesis. Such enhanced seals may facilitate implanting a prosthetic valve having a multiple-lobular shape, e.g., corresponding to the supra-annular above a biological annulus, and an annular member having a substantially circular shape, e.g., corresponding to the biological annulus.

[0013] In accordance with yet another embodiment, a method is provided for implanting a prosthetic heart valve assembly to replace a natural or prosthetic heart valve implanted within a biological annulus below a sinus cavity. An annular member may be introduced into the biological annulus to direct tissue surrounding the biological annulus outwardly, e.g., to at least partially dilate the biological annulus. A valve prosthesis may be advanced into the sinus cavity, and secured relative to the annular member. A flexible sewing cuff or skirt may extend around the annular member that may be engaged by the valve prosthesis for enhancing a seal between the valve prosthesis and the annulus member.

[0017] In another option, a flexible skirt may extend from the base member and / or valve member for enhancing a seal between the valve member and the base member when the valve member is secured to the base member. For example, the base member may be sufficiently flexible to conform at least partially to the annulus of the heart, and the flexible skirt may deform to accommodate irregularities between the valve member and the base member, e.g., to enhance sealing between the valve member and the base member. The flexible skirt may extend laterally from the valve member and / or base member. For example, the flexible skirt may extend outwardly and / or upwardly from the base member or outwardly and / or downwardly, from the valve member, e.g., such that the flexible skirt enhances contact between the valve member and the base member. Exemplary materials for the flexible skirt may include foam, fabric, and / or silicone.

Problems solved by technology

The sewing rings of either type of prosthetic valve can be tedious and time consuming to secure within a target site, i.e., within an annulus of a heart where a natural heart valve has been removed.

Consequently, this procedure can be very complicated, requiring management and manipulation of many sutures.

The complexity of the procedure also provides a greater opportunity for mistakes and requires a patient to be on cardiopulmonary bypass for a lengthy period of time.

Because the annulus of the heart may not match the circular cross-section of the sewing ring and / or prosthetic valve, the prosthetic valve may not fit optimally within the annulus.

As a result, natural blood hemodynamics through and around the valve may be impaired, resulting in clotting, possible emboli production, and eventual calcification of the valve structure.

When a mechanical or prosthetic valve is then attached to the sewing ring, however, the valve and sewing ring may not mate together effectively, e.g., if the shape of the sewing ring has been distorted to conform to the annulus, which may also impair natural blood hemodynamics, create leaks, and / or otherwise impair performance of the prosthetic valve.

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