Patent Application
20140222140
The present invention relates generally to medical devices and particularly to expandable heart valve prostheses especially for use in minimally-invasive surgeries.
Prosthetic heart valves are used to replace damaged or diseased heart valves. In vertebrate animals, the heart is a hollow muscular organ having four pumping chambers: the left and right atria and the left and right ventricles, each provided with its own one-way valve. The natural heart valves are identified as the aortic, mitral (or bicuspid), tricuspid and pulmonary valves. Prosthetic heart valves can be used to replace any of these naturally occurring valves, although repair or replacement of the aortic or mitral valves is most common because they reside in the left side of the heart where pressures are the greatest.
Where replacement of a heart valve is indicated, the dysfunctional valve is typically cut out and replaced with either a mechanical valve, or a tissue valve. Tissue valves are often preferred over mechanical valves because they typically do not require long-term treatment with anticoagulants. The most common tissue valves are constructed with whole porcine (pig) valves, or with separate leaflets cut from bovine (cow) pericardium. Although so-called stentless valves, comprising a section of porcine aorta along with the valve, are available, the most widely used valves include some form of stent or synthetic leaflet support. Typically, a wireform having alternating arcuate cusps and upstanding commissures supports the leaflets within the valve, in combination with an annular stent and a sewing ring. The alternating cusps and commissures mimic the natural contour of leaflet attachment. Importantly, the wireform provides continuous support for each leaflet along the cusp region so as to better simulate the natural support structure.
A conventional heart valve replacement surgery involves accessing the heart in the patient's thoracic cavity through a longitudinal incision in the chest. For example, a median sternotomy requires cutting through the sternum and forcing the two opposing halves of the rib cage to be spread apart, allowing access to the thoracic cavity and heart within. The patient is then placed on cardiopulmonary bypass which involves stopping the heart to permit access to the internal chambers. Such open heart surgery is particularly invasive and involves a lengthy and difficult recovery period.
Recently, a great amount of research has been done to reduce the trauma and risk associated with conventional open heart valve replacement surgery. In particular, the field of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has exploded since the early to mid-1990s, with devices now being available to enable valve replacements without opening the chest cavity. MIS heart valve replacement surgery still requires bypass, but the excision of the native valve and implantation of the prosthetic valve are accomplished via elongated tubes or cannulas, with the help of endoscopes and other such visualization techniques.
Some examples of MIS heart valves are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,980,570 to Simpson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,959 to Robertson, et al., and PCT Publication No. WO 99/334142 to Vesely. Although these and other such devices provide various ways for collapsing, delivering, and then expanding a “heart valve” per se, none of them disclose an optimum structure for tissue valves. For instance, the publication to Vesely shows a tissue leaflet structure of the prior art in
In view of the foregoing, it is evident that an improved sewing ring that addresses the apparent deficiencies in existing expandable heart valves is necessary and desired.
The present invention provides an expandable prosthetic heart valve for placement in a host heart valve annulus, comprising an expandable stent system adapted to be delivered in a collapsed state to an implantation site and expanded, and a plurality of prosthetic leaflets attached to the stent system. Each leaflet has an approximately semi-circular cusp edge terminating at each end in commissure portions, and a coapting edge extending between the commissure portions. Each leaflet is attached to the stent system substantially entirely along the cusp edge and at both commissure portions, with a coapting edge remaining unattached. The stent system may comprise an expandable generally annular tissue-engaging base and an elastic generally annular wireform attached thereto. The base is adapted to be delivered in a radially collapsed state and expanded into contact with the host annulus. The annular wireform defines a plurality of upstanding commissures and a plurality of arcuate cusps between adjacent commissures, and the prosthetic leaflets are attached to the wireform along the cusps and commissures, wherein the wireform and leaflets are configured to be radially compressed.
In one embodiment, the heart valve includes a plurality of upstanding posts attached to one of the tissue-engaging base and elastic wireform, each post having a connector. A plurality of mating connectors are provided on the other of the tissue-engaging base and elastic wireform for mating with the post connectors. The posts and mating connectors may be provided for each commissure and each cusp of the elastic wireform so that the valve includes a number of posts and mating connectors equal to the number of commissures plus the number of cusps. Further, the expandable stent system may include an undulating wireform defining a plurality of commissures and a plurality of cusps between adjacent commissures. The cusp edge of each of the prosthetic leaflets attaches along a wireform cusp, and the commissure portions of each leaflet terminate in outwardly extending tabs that each attach to a wireform commissure, wherein tabs from adjacent leaflets are attached together at each of the wireform commissures.
In another aspect of the invention, an expandable prosthetic heart valve for placement in a host heart valve annulus is provided. The heart valve comprises an expandable stent portion and an elastic leaflet portion connectable to the stent portion. The stent portion defines an inflow end of the valve and is adapted to be delivered in a collapsed state and expanded into contact with the host annulus. The leaflet portion forms a one-way flow occluder on an outflow end of the valve and includes an elastic wireform defining alternating cusps and commissures and prosthetic tissue attached substantially entirely therealong. The stent portion desirably includes a tubular member and a plurality of connectors, and wherein a plurality of connectors are provided on the elastic wireform for mating with the tubular member connectors. The wireform connectors may be provided on each commissure and on each cusp of the wireform so that the valve includes a number of mating connectors equal to the number of commissures plus the number of cusps. In a preferred embodiment, the prosthetic tissue comprises a plurality of individual leaflets secured along the alternating cusps and commissures of the elastic wireform. Additionally, the wireform may have a fabric covering, wherein the individual leaflets are stitched along the fabric covering. The fabric covering continues toward an inflow end of the valve in a skirt that surrounds the stent portion and is adapted to be captured between the expanded stent portion and the host annulus. A plurality of posts rigidly may connect to the stent portion and extend upward within the skirt into mating connection with the elastic wireform.
In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a two-part expandable prosthetic heart valve for placement in a host heart valve annulus, comprising:
In the two-part heart valve, the tissue-engaging base preferably comprises an expandable tubular member that is deliverable to the host annulus in a collapsed state and expandable into contact with the host annulus to secure the valve therein. Furthermore, the tissue-engaging base forms an inflow end of the valve, and the system for connecting the leaflet subassembly and tissue-engaging base includes a plurality of posts coupled to the tubular member and having varying lengths extending away from the inflow end of the valve. A first plurality of posts each having a first length connects with the wireform commissures, and a second plurality of posts each having a second length connects with the wireform cusps shorter than the first length. The mating connectors may be configured to be joined together by axial compression, preferably with a snap-fit configuration.
A further aspect of the invention includes a prosthetic heart valve having a support stent and a flexible tubular member. The support stent includes a tubular base along an inflow end a plurality of generally axially-extending commissure posts disposed evenly around the tubular base on an outflow end thereof. The flexible tubular member has a prosthetic section attached to the commissure posts so as to define a plurality of the prosthetic valve leaflets between the posts, and a fabric section connected to the base. The prosthetic section and fabric section are desirably both generally tubular and attached together at a seam, wherein the seam is spaced from the outflow end of the tubular base so that only the fabric section of the flexible tubular member contacts the tubular base. The commissure posts each may have an axial slot, wherein the tubular member is primarily located within the posts except for a plurality of loops that extend outward through each slot on each post. A plurality of inserts sized larger than the slots may be provided, each of which insert is captured within a loop extending outward through each slot to retain the loop through the slot. In a preferred embodiment, the commissure posts are integrally formed with the base, the base and commissure posts being initially formed from a flat section of material, wherein the commissure posts initially extend from the inflow end of the base and are bent 180° to extend alongside the base and project beyond the base at the outflow end thereof.
A prosthetic heart valve of the present invention has a support stent including a tubular base along an inflow end. A plurality of generally axially-extending commissure posts each having an axial slot is disposed evenly around the tubular base on an outflow end thereof. A flexible tubular member having an outflow edge is primarily located within the posts except for a plurality of loops that extend outward through each slot on each post. Further, a plurality of inserts sized larger than the slots are provided, each of which insert is captured within a loop extending outward through each slot to retain the loop through the slot, the outflow edge of the tubular member defining a plurality of valve leaflets. The tubular base may be plastically-expandable from a first size adapted for minimally invasive delivery, to a second, functional size that fits within a heart valve annulus.
A method of minimally-invasive heart valve replacement surgery on a patient is also provided by the present invention. The method includes the steps of:
The step of delivering the heart valve to the annulus may be accomplished by passing the valve through the patient's vasculature or via a minimally-invasive port in the patient's chest. The tissue-engaging base may plastically-expandable from its collapsed state to its expanded state, and the step of expanding the plastically-expandable base comprises inflating a balloon within the annular base.
A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and drawings.
The present invention discloses two different expandable heart valves for implantation in a host annulus, or host tissue adjacent the annulus. The valves may be implanted in any of the four valve positions within the heart, but are more likely to be used in replacing the aortic valve because of the circular shape of the annulus.
It should also be noted that the specific constructional details, including materials and shapes, may be varied from those shown. For example, an expandable tubular base is used in both valve embodiments, and is described as being a plastically-expandable structure that radially expands into contact with the annulus tissue. Alternatively, the tubular base may be elastically- or self-expandable, or expandable on the application of heat (i.e., using shape memory material). Further, various means are known for plastically or elastically expanding structures into contact with anatomical passageways, and though the present invention illustrates and describes only one such structure, others may be used to practice the invention. For example, any plastically- or elastically-expandable structure may be modified so as to have a suitable diameter for heart valves and used to practice the present invention. In addition, barbs, flanges, staples, and the like may be added to the tubular base for the purpose of greater attachment to the host tissue. In short, the present invention should not be construed to be limited to the particular structures and materials disclosed, the scope of the invention being solely defined by the appended claims.
With reference to
The flexible tubular member 22 comprises a leaflet section 32 connected to a fabric section 34 at a seam 36. As illustrated, both the leaflet section 32 and fabric section 34 are desirably formed as tubes, such that the seam 36 defines a circle therebetween. Alternatively, the seam 36 may be other than circular if areas of the leaflet section 32 or fabric section 34 need to be expanded around their circumferential juncture. For example, the fabric section 34 may need to be increased in the commissure region of the valve 20, such as indicated by the dashed line 38 in
Desirably, the leaflet section 32 is formed from pericardial tissue, such as bovine or equine pericardium, suitably treated to render it biocompatible. Of course, any suitable leaflet material, including synthetics, may be used. The fabric section 34 is desirably a woven polyester, such as polyethylene terephthalate. Alternatively, the fabric section 34 may be formed of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or other suitable biocompatible sheet material. Still further, the leaflet section 34 may extend the entire axial height of the flexible tubular member 22, with the fabric section 34 being wrapped around and attached to the inflow end.
As seen in
The tubular base 40 comprises a plastically-expandable material that can be expanded into the configuration shown in the figures from a radially compressed configuration (not shown). In this regard, the illustrated tubular base 40 essentially comprises a non-self expanding stent that can be expanded from its compressed state using a balloon inflated from within the base, for example. Numerous configurations of such plastically-expandable tubes are available in the prior art, and as mentioned above, the present invention should not be considered limited to any one configuration. Moreover, in other configurations the base 40 may be self- or heat-expandable.
With reference to
In a preferred embodiment, the commissure posts 42 are formed of a biocompatible, elastic material, preferably metallic. For example, each commissure post 42 may be formed of stainless-steel, titanium, or Elgiloy. Alternatively, the commissure posts 42 may be a biocompatible polymer, such as Delrin or polyacetyl.
In a preferred embodiment, the support stent 24 is formed from a single piece of flat material. Specifically, the tubular base 40 initially comprises a flat, narrow strip of uniform width material with the commissure posts 42 extending from one long side thereof. Using conventional means, the narrow strip of material is then rolled into the tubular shape shown in the figures, and the juxtaposed narrow ends joined by, for example, crimping. Each of the commissure posts 42 is then bent 180° outward to project in the opposite direction from their original direction.
The flexible tubular member 22 attaches to the support stent 24 as seen in
The leaflet section 32 is disposed substantially between the commissure posts 42, except for a number of loops 70 threaded outward through the axial slots 54. As seen
With reference to
When the pressures are such that the valve closes, radially inward forces are imposed on the free edge of the leaflet section 32, which may tend to cantilever the support stents 24 inward a slight amount. Localized stresses on the leaflet section 32 are reduced at the connection with the stent supports 24, however, because of the use of the inserts 72 within the loops 70. That is, as best seen in
Certain features of the valve 20 reduce wear typically associated with stent-leaflet dynamic contact. First, because the axial dimension A of the fabric section 34 is greater than the dimension B of the tubular base 40, any contact between the flexible tubular member 22 and the tubular base 40 (at the outflow rim 50) is between fabric and the base. That is, the leaflet section 32 is not placed in contact with the base 40, thus increasing the life of the valve. Additionally, the enlarged relief region 56 of the slot 54 in the transition region 52 helps reduce the rubbing that might otherwise occur between the commissure posts 42 and the leaflets 80. That is, the leaflet section 32 continues substantially axially downward from the loops 70, as seen in
In use, the assembled heart valve 20 as seen in
Once in position within the annulus of the valve being replaced, the balloon (or other expanding means) causes the tubular base 40 to expand into contact with the annulus. Actually, because the commissure posts 42 and fabric section 34 surround tubular base 40, these elements are compressed against the host annulus. Because the tubular base 40 is plastically-expandable, it substantially retains its expanded shape. A slight over-expansion of the tubular base 40 may be required to compensate for any elastic spring-back character of the material used. Again, barbs or staples may also be utilized to further secure the valve 20 and in place. Ultimately, the balloon catheter is deflated and removed from within the valve 20.
As seen in
With reference again to
The leaflet subassembly 102 attaches to the tissue-engaging base 104 at discrete locations, securely coupling each of the commissures 112 and cusps 114 of the elastic wireform 106 to the base. As seen best in
As illustrated, both the commissure posts 146 and cusp posts 148 extend through upper and lower sleeves 150a, 150b, respectively provided on the exterior of the tubular member 140, and are desirably axially secured therein. It should be noted that this is only one of numerous possible ways to rigidly couple upstanding posts to a plastically-expandable tubular member. However, the posts 146, 148 are desirably located on the outside of the tubular member 140 so as not to interfere with a balloon for expanding the tubular member from the inside, nor to interfere with blood flowing through the valve. It should also be noted that in a reverse configuration, the posts 146, 148 may be initially attached to the wireform commissures 112 and cusps 114, respectively, as part of the leaflet subassembly 102 and subsequently connected to mating structures (not shown) provided on the tissue-engaging base 104.
A plurality of connectors are provided for attaching the elastic wireform 106 to the posts 146, 148 of the tissue-engaging base 104. In particular, as seen in
With reference again to
With specific reference to
Desirably, both the insert 166 and upper cusp connector 170 are made from a suture-permeable material having sufficient strength to maintain the connections between the leaflet subassembly 102 and tissue-engaging base 104. For example, the insert 166 and connector 170 may be made of Delrin, or other suitable polymer. As illustrated, each of the connectors 164 and 170 are partial circles that fit around tubular grooves in the respective posts 146, 148. Of course, other arrangements are possible, and the present invention should not be considered limited to those connectors illustrated.
As with the earlier embodiment, the valve 100 utilizes a low-stress connection between the leaflets 108 and the elastic wireform 106. In particular, as seen in
Leaflet subassembly 102 is desirably stored in its expanded state, as seen in
In use, the leaflet subassembly 102 is compressed from its expanded configuration to a size corresponding to the tissue-engaging base 104 in its compressed state (not shown). If the tissue-engaging base 104 is plastically deformable then it is initially supplied in its compressed state. Alternatively, a self-expandable base 104 will have to be compressed either before or after connection to the similarly configured leaflet subassembly 102. Compression of the leaflet subassembly 102 (and base if necessary) may be accomplished using a tapered mandrel through which the subassembly is passed, or with a cinch or other direct constricting means. The two components are then connected together, just prior to insertion into the patient's body, and the valve 100 delivered simultaneously to the host annulus site. To connect the two components, the fabric skirt 110 is passed around the outside of the commissure posts 146 and around the tubular member 140. Each of the upper connectors 164 and 170 are caused to mate with the lower connectors 160, 162. In the illustrated embodiment, such a mating operation simply requires forcing each of the partial circles defining the upper connectors over the grooves defining the lower connectors. The partial circles open slightly, but then spring inward when the connectors snap together and the groove is fully seated.
There are a number of ways to deliver the valve 100 to the aortic annulus. For one, the tubular member 140 may be mounted around a balloon catheter and inserted via an introducer or other cannula into the patient's vasculature and to the aorta. Alternatively, an open-heart procedure or less-invasive port procedure may be utilized, with the tissue-engaging base 104 being delivered to the host annulus using a holder or other such means.
In particular, a valve delivery catheter 212 is shown in the cutaway portion of the ascending aorta 204, having been introduced along the direction of the arrow 214 so that a distal end thereof lies adjacent the aortic annulus 206. The catheter 212 can be introduced percutaneously into the patient's arterial system (e.g. into a peripheral artery such as the femoral artery) and advanced to the ascending aorta 204. The catheter shaft preferably has a length of at least about 80 cm, usually about 90-100 cm, to allow transluminal positioning of the shaft from the femoral and iliac arteries to the ascending aorta. Alternatively, the shaft may have a shorter length, e.g. 20-60 cm, for introduction through the iliac artery, through the brachial artery, through the carotid or subclavian arteries, or through a penetration in the aorta itself. In the femoral approach, the catheter is long enough and flexible enough to traverse the path through the femoral artery, iliac artery, descending aorta and aortic arch. At the same time, the catheter has sufficient pushability to be advanced to the ascending aorta by pushing on the proximal end, and has sufficient axial, bending, and torsional stiffness to allow the physician to control the position of the distal end, even when the catheter is in a tortuous vascular structure. Alternatively, the catheter 212 may be passed through a port between ribs in the patient's thorax above the heart and through an incision in the aortic arch 208, in a so-called minimally-invasive procedure.
Techniques for introducing catheters into the human vasculature are well-known, and typically involve the introduction of a guidewire 216 first, followed by an obturator or dilator (not shown) within a sheath 218. The dilator facilitates introduction of the catheter sheath 218 into the vasculature, and is then removed, though the guidewire 216 typically remains in place. Subsequently, a valve of the present invention, such as valve 100 seen in
Finally, in
Once the valve 100 is fully expanded and securely attached to the annulus 206, the balloon 222 is deflated and removed. Such an operation may include elongating the balloon 222 in the distal direction and reducing its radial dimension by, for example, twisting. Care must be taken so as not to damage the leaflets within the subassembly 102 during retraction of the balloon 222 therethrough. After the balloon 222 has been retracted within the sheath 218, the entire catheter 212 is removed from the patient.
The fully formed valve 100 has a number of distinct advantages over prior expandable valves. For example, as mentioned above, the prosthetic leaflets 108 may be stored in the final, uncompressed implantation shape. This is in contrast to prior expandable valves where the entire valve may be initially compressed such that the leaflets are stored in a compressed state. Consequently, valves of the prior art can be stored for years prior to use, and permanent wrinkling of the compressed leaflets may be a real problem.
Furthermore, each of the leaflets 108 is supported substantially entirely around the undulating wireform 106, which has proven to provide optimal valve performance. Also, separate leaflets are used as opposed to a continuous tube, as in the first embodiment. Additionally, the advantageous low-stress attachment structure of the leaflet tabs 130 to the wireform commissures 112 further increases the durability of the valve.
While the foregoing is a complete description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents may be used. Moreover, it will be obvious that certain other modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.
The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/767,278, filed Apr. 26, 2010, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/099,566, filed Apr. 4, 2008, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,092,518, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/766,139, filed Jan. 28, 2004, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,381,218, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/185,812, filed Jun. 28, 2002, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,767,362, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/549,413, filed Apr. 6, 2000, and now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,454,799.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 09549413 | Apr 2000 | US |
| Child | 10185812 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13734719 | Jan 2013 | US |
| Child | 14244712 | US | |
| Parent | 12767278 | Apr 2010 | US |
| Child | 13734719 | US | |
| Parent | 12099566 | Apr 2008 | US |
| Child | 12767278 | US | |
| Parent | 10766139 | Jan 2004 | US |
| Child | 12099566 | US | |
| Parent | 10185812 | Jun 2002 | US |
| Child | 10766139 | US |
