Introducer for prosthetic heart valve

Abstract

The present disclosure concerns embodiments of an introducer that is adapted to facilitate insertion of a prosthetic device, such as a prosthetic heart valve, into a patient's vasculature. In one embodiment, the introducer comprises an elongated body defining a central lumen extending between distal and proximal ends of the body. The introducer body can also have a longitudinally extending gap extending along the length of the body between the distal end proximal ends. The gap in the introducer allows a user to place the introducer around implant sutures by passing the sutures through the gap and into the central lumen. Similarly, the gap allows the introducer to be easily removed from the sutures and / or a delivery device by passing them outwardly through the gap.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA[0001]The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. provisional application No. 61 / 228,072 filed Jul. 23, 2009.FIELD[0002]The present invention pertains to an introducer that can be used to facilitate implantation of a prosthetic heart valve.BACKGROUND[0003]Prosthetic heart valves have been used for many years to treat cardiac valvular disorders. The native heart valves (such as the aortic, pulmonary, and mitral valves) serve critical functions in assuring the forward flow of an adequate supply of blood through the cardiovascular system. These heart valves can be rendered less effective by congenital, inflammatory, or infectious conditions. Such conditions can eventually lead to serious cardiovascular compromise or death.[0004]When a native valve is replaced, surgical implantation of a prosthetic valve typically requires an open-chest surgery during which the heart is stopped and patient placed on cardiopulmonary bypass (a so-called ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The introducer body can have a longitudinally extending gap extending along the length of the body between the distal and proximal ends, which allows the introducer to radially expand and dilate the incision as the valve is advanced through the incision. The gap in the introducer also allows a user to place the introducer around implant sutures by passing the sutures through the gap and into the central lumen. Similarly, the gap allows the introducer to be easily removed from the sutures and / or a delivery device by passing them outwardly through the gap. The introducer body can have a tapered distal portion to facilitate insertion of the introducer through an incision.

Problems solved by technology

These heart valves can be rendered less effective by congenital, inflammatory, or infectious conditions.

Such conditions can eventually lead to serious cardiovascular compromise or death.

As can be appreciated, this technique adds complexity to the procedure, can cause laceration of the tissue, and can cause damage to the prosthetic valve.

This type of incision creates a larger opening for the passage of the valve, but is more difficult to close and therefore is more prone to leakage than a straight transverse incision.

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