Leaflet valve
A device and method for improving flow through a native blood vessel valve, such as the aortic valve, are provided. The present invention allows a miniature valve to be implanted into affected leaflets percutaneously, obviating the need for coronary bypass surgery. The method includes the cutting of small holes, on the order of 4 mm, in the leaflets of a targeted valve, thereby allowing blood to flow through the newly formed holes. The holes are used as attachment sites for the miniature valves of the present invention.
1. A heart valve, transluminally deliverable via a catheter, comprising:
a mesh housing; and,
a flow control mechanism of biologic tissue coupled to said housing, said flow control mechanism including passive leaflets, free from biasing mechanisms;
said housing including an anchoring mechanism having at least one end free to extend radially to affix the heart valve to tissue of a leaflet of a native heart valve;
wherein said mesh housing is adapted to be compressed into the catheter for transluminal delivery, and to expand to a desired diameter upon deployment from said catheter.
2. A heart valve according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one end comprises an expandable cuff for engaging a leaflet of a native human heart valve.
3. A heart valve according to claim 2 , wherein said cuff includes a plurality of radial extensions extending from said cuff and engageable with said leaflet of a native heart valve so as to secure said cuff in said leaflet of a native heart valve.
4. A heart valve according to claim 1 , wherein said flow control mechanism comprises a sleeve containing a plurality of valve members.
5. A heart valve according to claim 4 , wherein said plurality of valve members includes leaflets disposed on a stent form.
6. The heart valve of claim 1 , wherein said mesh housing is comprised of Nitinol.
7. The heart valve of claim 1 , wherein said anchoring mechanism includes an upstream and downstream component for further fixating said housing.
8. The heart valve of claim 7 , wherein said upstream and downstream components fold outwardly when released.
9. A device, transluminally deliverable via a catheter, to increase fluid flow through a mammalian valve comprising:
a valve mechanism, of biologic tissue, containing a lumen therein;
said valve mechanism actuatable so as to place said lumen in one of an open and closed state;
said valve mechanism including leaflets that are passive, influenced to one of said open and closed states only by fluid flow; and,
a housing connected to said valve mechanism;
said housing including an anchoring structure with an end free to extend radially against tissue of a leaflet of said mammalian valve;
wherein said housing is constructed of mesh, allowing the housing to be compressed into a catheter for delivery and expands to a desired diameter upon deployment from said catheter.
10. The heart valve of claim 9 , wherein said housing is comprised of Nitinol.
11. The heart valve of claim 9 , wherein said anchoring structure includes an upstream and downstream component for further fixating said housing structure.
12. The heart valve of claim 11 , wherein said upstream and downstream components fold outwardly when released.
13. A valve device, transluminally deliverable via a catheter, for treating a diseased valve comprising:
a fluid flow control element comprised of biologic tissue, said fluid flow control element including passive leaflets, free from biasing mechanisms;
a housing structure constructed of a stiff fabric and having an outwardly radiating free end for anchoring said fluid flow control element adjacent to tissue of a native valve leaflet;
said fluid flow control element and said stiff fabric structure being connected to each other.
14. The heart valve of claim 13 , wherein said mesh housing structure is comprised of Nitinol.
15. A valve device according to claim 13 , wherein said housing structure includes a cuff.
16. A valve device according to claim 13 , wherein said housing structure is expandable and includes a constraining device for constraining the expansion of said stiff fabric structure.
17. A heart valve, transluminally deliverable via a catheter, comprising: a compressible and expandable housing with a free end extending radially from at least one of two opposite ends of said stiff fabric body; and a prosthetic valve comprised of biologic material attached to an inside surface of said housing, said prosthetic valve including passive leaflets, free from biasing mechanisms, said housing constructed of a stiff fabric.
18. A heart valve, transluminally deliverable via a catheter, comprising:
a housing structure;
a flow control mechanism coupled to said position securement structure, said flow control mechanism including passive leaflets, free from biasing mechanisms;
said mesh housing having a position securement structure including an end that is free to radiate outwardly to engage a surface of a leaflet of a native heart valve;
wherein said housing structure comprises a mesh tube, allowing said entire housing structure to be expandable and collapsible.