公開/公告號

US5411552B

申請日

1994-06-14

發明名稱

Valve prothesis for implantation in the body and a catheter for implanting such valve prothesis

解決的技術問題

The valve prosthesis according to the invention does not require an actual operation but merely a small intervention to optionally expose the body channel, e.g., a vein, through which the insertion takes place. Thus, patients for whom an operation would be associated with high risk can be offered implantation of, for instance, cardiac valves. After the implantation has taken place, the after-treatment will advantageously be shorter than normally, which means fewer hospital days for the patient. Moreover, it is assumed that it will be possible to implantate the valve prosthesis under local anaesthetic.

技術方案

A valve prosthesis (9) for implantation in the body by use of catheter (11) comprises a stent made from an expandable cylinder-shaped thread structure (2,3) comprising several spaced apices (4). The elastically collapsible valve (4) is mounted on the stent as the commissural points (5) of the valve (6) are secured to the projecting apices (4). The valve prosthesis (9) can be compressed around the balloon means (13) of the balloon catheter (11) and be inserted in a channel, for instance in the aorta (10). When the valve prosthesis is placed correctly the balloon means (13) is inflated thereby expanding the stent and wedging it against the wall of aorta. The balloon means is provided with beads (14) to ensure a steady fastening of the valve prosthesis on the balloon means during insertion and expansion. The valve prosthesis (9) and the balloon catheter (11) make it possible to insert a cardiac valve prosthesis without a surgical operation comprising opening the thoracic cavity.

相關附圖

公開/公告號

US8591575B2

申請日

2007-03-28

發明名稱

Method of dilating a stenotic aortic valve and implanting a prosthetic valve

解決的技術問題

However, this technique has been abandoned by most physicians because of the very high restenosis rate which occurs in about 80% of the patients within 10 to 12 months. Indeed, immediately after deflation of the balloon, a strong recoil phenomenon often produces a loss of half or even two thirds of the opening area obtained by the inflated balloon. For instance, inflation of a 20 mm diameter balloon in a stenosed aortic orifice of 0.5 cm2 area gives, when forcefully and fully inflated, an opening area equal to the cross sectional area of the maximally inflated balloon, i.e., about 3 cm2. However, measurements performed a few minutes after deflation and removal of the balloon have only an area around 1 cm2 to 1.2 cm2. This is due to the considerable recoil of the fibrous tissue of the diseased valve. The drawback in this procedure has also been clearly shown on fresh post mortem specimens.

技術方案

A method for treating a stenotic native aortic valve in a human heart is provided. The method comprises dilating the stenotic native aortic valve using a dilatation catheter and then deploying a prosthetic heart valve within the dilated stenotic native aortic valve. The prosthetic heart valve comprises a collapsible and expandable metallic stent and a valvular structure formed of a synthetic biocompatible material. The valvular structure is positioned substantially between the inlet and outlet ends of the stent for preventing the flow of blood in one direction. The prosthetic heart valve may further comprise an internal sleeve for creating a seal along at least a portion of the stent wall.

相關附圖

公開/公告號

US8382826B2

申請日

2010-08-12

發明名稱

Method of delivering a prosthetic heart valve

解決的技術問題

Although a variety of bendable and steerable devices have been proposed over the years, each of the existing devices has shortcomings that limit its effectiveness. Accordingly, an urgent need exists for an improved steerable delivery system to facilitate advancement of an implant and/or therapy device through a patient's vasculature to a treatment site. It is desirable that such a system overcomes the shortcomings associated with existing devices. It is also desirable that such a system be versatile, reliable and easy to use. The present invention addresses this need.

技術方案

A method of delivering a prosthetic heart valve to a native valve site within the human vasculature. The prosthetic valve is disposed on a balloon at the end of a balloon catheter. The balloon catheter passes through a delivery sleeve assembly. A pull wire travels from the handle to a distal end of the delivery sleeve assembly. Actuation of the handle pulls on the pull wire, which causes the delivery sleeve assembly to bend for facilitating navigation through a patient's vasculature. A stretchable cover is preferably placed over the slotted tube for biasing the steerable catheter toward a straight position. Once advanced to the vicinity of the native valve site, the prosthetic valve may be accurately positioned by advancing the balloon catheter relative to the delivery sleeve assembly and then deployed within the native valve site by inflating the balloon. In an alternative embodiment, the delivery sleeve assembly may be used to advance a self-expanding prosthetic heart valve through a patient's vasculature and a pusher member may be used to eject the prosthetic valve at the native valve site.

相關附圖