58 results about "Heart valve function" patented technology

A valve prosthesis is sized and configured to rest within a blood path subject to antegrade and retrograde blood flow. A trestle element on the prosthesis extends across the blood path. A leaflet assembly is suspended from the trestle element and extends into the blood path in alignment with blood flow. At least one mobile leaflet member on the leaflet assembly is sized and configured to assume orientations that change according to blood flow direction. The mobile leaflet member has a first orientation that permits antegrade blood flow and a second orientation that resists retrograde blood flow. The valve prosthesis, when implanted in a heart chamber or great vessel, serves to supplement and/or repair and/or replace native one-way heart valve function.

The various aspects of the invention pertain to devices and related methods for treating heart conditions, including, for example, dilatation, valve incompetencies, including mitral valve leakage, and other similar heart failure conditions. The devices and related methods of the present invention operate to assist in the apposition of heart valve leaflets to improve valve function. According to one aspect of the invention, a method improves the function of a valve of a heart by placing an elongate member transverse a heart chamber so that each end of the elongate member extends through a wall of the heart, and placing first and second anchoring members external the chamber. The first and second anchoring members are attached to first and second ends of the elongate member to fix the elongate member in a position across the chamber so as to reposition papillary muscles within the chamber. Also described herein is a method for placing a splint assembly transverse a heart chamber by advancing an elongate member through vasculature structure and into the heart chamber.

Tissue shaping methods and devices are provided for reinforcing and/or remodeling heart valves. In certain embodiments, magnetic tissue shaping devices are implanted in tissue adjacent heart valve leaflets. The devices are mutually attractive or repulsive so as to remodel the heart tissue and improve heart valve function. In certain other embodiments, one or more tissue shaping devices including shape memory material are implanted in a patient's body within or on tissue adjacent a heart valve leaflet. The shape memory material can be activated within the patient in a less invasive or non-invasive manner, such as by applying energy percutaneously or external to the patient's body. The shape memory tissue shaping devices are implanted in a first configuration and then activated to remember a second configuration that displaces tissue so as to remodel the heart valve geometry and improve heart valve function. In certain other embodiments, a brace is crimped to the base of a heart valve leaflet to support the leaflet and improve valve closure.

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—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 are methods, compounds and compositions useful for treatment of a patient with valvular dysfunction. The invention relates to using stem cells, modified stem cells, derivatives thereof, and agents stimulatory to stem cells in order to substantially ameliorate, and in some cases induce a therapeutic benefit, to a patient suffering from a dysfunction of the mitral, aortic, tricuspid, or pulmonary valve. In some embodiments the invention treats the valve dysfunction itself, whereas in other embodiments treatment of associated cardiac structures is performed. Furthermore, in other embodiments the invention permits physiological compensation for the valve dysfunction, prolonging the time until surgical intervention is needed.

A device for improving the function of a heart valve comprises a first loop-shaped support, which is configured to abut a first side of the heart valve, and a second loop-shaped support, which is configured to abut a second side of the heart valve opposite to said first side, whereby a portion of the valve tissue is trapped between the first and second supports. An outer boundary of the second support is greater than an outer boundary of the first support.

Methods and devices for modulating heart valve function are provided. In the subject methods, a heart valve is first in structurally modified. Blood flow through the structurally modified heart valve is then monitored, and the heart is paced in response to the monitored blood flow. Also provided are devices, systems and kits that find use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods find use in a variety of applications.

A device and methods for improving the function of a heart valve, such as an aortic valve, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device includes an insert member configured for insertion between leaflets of an aortic valve. The insert member preferably includes three radial arms extending outwardly from a central portion. The device also includes an anchoring member which is coupled to the insert member and configured for maintaining the insert member within the heart valve. In operation, each of the arms fills gaps between heart valve leaflets, thereby minimizing or preventing regurgitation through the heart valve.

A device for improving the function of a heart valve has a first and a second shape. The device comprises two contact points, wherein the device in the first shape exhibits a distance between the two contact points essentially corresponding to a distance between two commissures of the heart valve and the device in the second shape exhibits an increased distance between the contact points. The device is in the first shape arranged for insertion to the heart valve to establish a contact between the contact points and the commissures. The device is transferable from said first shape to said second shape, and the device is in the second shape arranged for extending in abutment with valve tissue throughout a cycle of heart action. The device may change the shape of the heart valve by stretching it between the commissures for improving the ability of the heart valve to close.

An assembly and method for treating heart valve malfunction including mitral regurgitation wherein an elongated chord is movably disposed within an introductory sheath and an anchor is secured to a distal end thereof. The sheath and the chord are introduced into the heart chamber and penetrate and pass through the anterior mitral valve leaflet and preferably through the mitral valve orifice. The sheath and the chord are then extended transversely across the heart chamber and the distal end of the chord is anchored to an opposing portion of the heart wall. The sheath is withdrawn back along the length of the anchored chord through the anterior mitral valve leaflet and the proximal end of the chord is secured to the valve leaflet. The chord is secured under sufficient tension to maintain an intended positioning of the valve leaflet to overcome mitral regurgitation.

The invention is a device, system, and method for repairing heart valve function, which may include bisecting native valve leaflets for improved deployment of a prosthetic heart valve in the native valve annulus. The invention may include a catheter having a cutting element shaft with a cutting element configured to puncture a valve leaflet and/or make a controlled cut through the leaflet. The device may have an extendable foot configured to be positioned on an opposite side of the valve leaflet from the cutting element shaft. The device may include magnets to guide the cutting element and/or cutting element shaft in proper alignment with the extendable foot and to hold the elements in place during leaflet bisection.