Tissue annuloplasty band and apparatus and method for fashioning, sizing and implanting the same
View Patent ↗This invention relates to a system used to fashion, size, and implant a tissue annuloplasty band. This system comprises (1) a device to cut tissue; (2) a device to fashion (i.e., roll, fold, bunch, etc.) the tissue into a band (i.e., the tissue annuloplasty band); and (3) a sizer that comprises an mounting ring which allows for determining and maintaining the proper size and shape of the tissue annuloplasty band while it is attached to the annulus of a heart valve. These components can be used alone, together as a system, or in any combination to fashion, size, and/or implant the tissue annuloplasty band.
1. An annuloplasty band comprising an elongated substantially solid body of overlaid layers of graft tissue, said body being of a selected length and configured to be flexed into a generally curved configuration, and the band being configured to be sutured to a valvular annulus, said band being substantially solid throughout the length thereof, and said overlaid layers being formed by spirally wound graft tissue.
2. An annuloplasty band according to claim 1 wherein said graft tissue comprises pericardium.
3. An annuloplasty band according to claim 1 wherein said graft tissue comprises autologous tissue.
4. An annuloplasty band according to claim 1 further comprising a support structure attached to said graft tissue.
5. An annuloplasty band according to claim 4 wherein said support structure is internal to said graft tissue.
6. An annuloplasty band according to claim 5 wherein said support structure comprises a centrally disposed axial structure.
7. An annuloplasty band according to claim 6 wherein said axial structure comprises an intermediate section terminating in a pair of opposing ends, and further wherein said intermediate section is flexible.
8. An annuloplasty band according to claim 7 wherein said opposing ends are elastic.
9. An annuloplasty band according to claim 7 wherein said opposing ends are adapted to connect to one another.
10. An annuloplasty band according to claim 7 wherein said axial structure is formed out of plastic.
11. An annuloplasty band according to claim 7 wherein said axial structure is formed out of metal.
12. An annuloplasty band according to claim 1 wherein at least one of an adhesive, a sealant and a medication is applied to the graft tissue.
13. An annuloplasty band according to claim 1 , wherein said overlaid layers of graft tissue comprise a sheet of graft tissue rolled upon itself and tightly packed to form a generally cylindrical shape.