Epicardial clip

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11311381-B2
Application number	US-201916559050-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 3, 2019
Priority date	Jul 1, 2008
Publication date	Apr 26, 2022
Grant date	Apr 26, 2022

Abstract

An epicardial clip for reshaping the annulus of the mitral valve of a heart includes a curved member having an anterior segment configured to be positioned in the transverse sinus of the heart, a posterior segment configured to be positioned on the posterior side of the heart, such as on or inferior to the atrioventricular groove, and a lateral segment extending between the anterior segment and the posterior segment. The lateral segment includes a curve such that the first end of the member is positioned at or above the plane of the mitral valve and the second end of the member is positioned at or below the plane of the mitral valve.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of epicardial treatment of a valve of a heart, the anatomy of the heart including the valve, an aorta, a pulmonary trunk, an inferior vena cave and a superior vena cava, wherein the valve lies in a plane, the method comprising:
providing a clip having an anterior segment, an anterior end, a posterior segment, a posterior end and a lateral segment extending between the anterior segment and the posterior segment;
positioning the anterior segment epicardially on the heart at a location anteriorly adjacent to the valve; and
positioning the posterior segment epicardially on the heart at a location posteriorly adjacent to the valve;
wherein the clip reshapes an annulus of the valve; and
wherein the anterior and posterior ends are spaced apart from one another and remain separated by a gap or opening after said positionings and remain spaced apart, separated by said gap or opening while said clip reshapes the annulus.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the posterior segment lies below the plane in which the valve lies and the anterior segment lies above the plane in which the valve lies.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the posterior segment lies above the plane in which the valve lies and the anterior segment lies below the plane in which the valve lies.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the valve is a mitral valve.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the valve is a tricuspid valve.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the valve is an aortic valve.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the valve is a pulmonary valve.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the lateral segment extends around a lateral side of the heart.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising a pad extending from the clip, the method further comprising the pad applying pressure on the posteriorly adjacent location, thereby improving coaptation of the valve.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the clip is non-flexible relative to forces applied thereto by the heart.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the clip is non-flexible and is configured not to be bent to an ad hoc configuration.

12. The method of claim 1 , performed during a beating heart surgery, without the need of a heart/lung bypass machine.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the clip resides epicardially, interior of a pericardium of the heart.

14. A method of epicardial treatment of a valve of a heart, the anatomy of the heart including the valve, an aorta, a pulmonary trunk, an inferior vena cava and a superior vena cava, wherein the valve lies in a plane, the method comprising:
assessing at least one of: a desired configuration of a clip and/or a desired or optimal position where the clip is to be applied;
selecting a clip having an anterior segment, an anterior end, a posterior segment, a posterior end and a lateral segment extending between the anterior segment and the posterior segment;
positioning the anterior segment epicardially on the heart at a location anteriorly adjacent to the valve; and
positioning the posterior segment epicardially on the heart at a location posteriorly adjacent to the valve;
wherein the clip reshapes an annulus of the valve; and
wherein the anterior and posterior ends are spaced apart from one another and remain separated by a gap or opening after said positionings and remain spaced apart, separated by said gap or opening while said clip reshapes the annulus.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein said assessing comprises using a sizing device to determine the desired configuration of the clip.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the sizing device is used to determine a desired curvature of the clip.

17. The method of claim 14 , wherein said assessing comprises echocardiographic imaging to determine the optimal or desired position and/or configuration of the clip.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein said echocardiographic imaging is used to determine a desired curvature of the clip.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein said echocardiographic imaging is used to determine the optimal or desired position and/or curvature of the clip to attain a measured anterior-posterior measurement (distance) and/or septal-lateral measurement (distance) of the annulus of the valve to minimize and/or eliminate regurgitation.

20. The method of claim 14 , wherein the valve is a mitral valve.

Assignees

• Maquet Cardiovascular Llc

Inventors

• Callas Peter Tachi
• Lombardi Pierluca
• Stewart Michael C
• Lau Liming
• Juravic Mark S
• Anderson Evan
• Lamberti Joe
• Chin Albert K
• Wang Tammy

Classifications

• A61F2/2478 Primary

  Passive devices for improving the function of the heart muscle, i.e. devices for reshaping the external surface of the heart, e.g. bags, strips or bands · CPC title

• A61F2/2496

  Devices for determining the dimensions of the prosthetic valve to be implanted, e.g. templates, sizers · CPC title

• A61F2/2481

  Devices outside the heart wall, e.g. bags, strips or bands · CPC title

• A61F2/2442

  Annuloplasty rings or inserts for correcting the valve shape; Implants for improving the function of a native heart valve · CPC title

• A61F2/2451 Primary

  Inserts in the coronary sinus for correcting the valve shape · CPC title