CLIP FOR REPAIR OF CARDIAC VALVE
A clip ( 100, 200, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200 ) for repairing a cardiac valve includes an elongated body ( 102, 202, 902, 1132, 1202, 1302 ) and a locking mechanism ( 110, 1110, 1210, 1310 ). The elongated body has first and second ends and is adapted to change between an open condition and a closed condition. The locking mechanism is adapted to lock the elongated body in the closed condition. The locking mechanism may include interengaging teeth ( 116, 118; 212, 214 ) on the first end ( 1104, 1204, 1304 ) and second end ( 1106, 1206, 1306 ) of the body. Alternatively, the locking mechanism may include a return ( 1121, 1212, 1312 ) on the first end of the body sized to overlap with the second end of the body in the closed condition.
1 . A clip for repairing a cardiac valve, comprising:
an elongated body having an outer surface, an inner surface, and first and second ends, the elongated body having an open condition in which the first end is spaced apart from the second end, and a closed condition in which the first end at least partially overlaps with the second end; and
a locking mechanism adapted to lock the elongated body in the closed condition.
2 . The clip according to claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the body is roughened.
3 . The clip according to claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of protrusions on the inner surface of the elongated body.
4 . The clip according to claim 3 , wherein each of the protrusions has a substantially triangular shape.
5 . The clip according to claim 4 , wherein at least one of the protrusions is shaped as an isosceles triangle.
6 . The clip according to claim 4 , wherein at least one of the protrusions is shaped as a right triangle.
7 . The clip according claim 4 , wherein at least one of the protrusions has first and second sides, the first side being longer than the second side.
8 . The clip according to claim 3 , wherein at least one of the protrusions has a substantially curved shape.
9 . The clip according to claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of recesses on the inner surface of the elongated body.
10 . The clip according to claim 9 , wherein the recesses have a substantially round shape.
11 . The clip according to claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism includes:
a first rack having a plurality of first teeth, the first teeth protruding from the outer surface of the elongated body; and
a second rack having a plurality of second teeth, the second teeth protruding from the inner surface of the elongated body, the second teeth being configured to engage the first teeth when the elongated body is in the closed condition to lock the elongated body in the closed condition.
12 . The clip according to claim 11 , wherein the first teeth protrude at an oblique angle from the outer surface of the elongated body.
13 . The clip according to claim 11 , wherein the second teeth protrude at an oblique angle from the inner surface of the elongated body.
14 . The clip according to claim 11 , wherein the locking mechanism further includes a widened member at the first end of the body, the widened member having an aperture extending therethrough, the aperture being dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the second end of the body in the closed condition.
15 . The clip according to claim 1 , wherein the body has a generally U-shaped configuration in the closed condition, with a first leg of the body positioned alongside a second leg of the body and the first end adjacent the second end, the locking mechanism including:
a return on the second end of the body, the return extending toward a closed end of the U-shaped configuration by an amount sufficient to overlap with the first end of the body to thereby hold the body in the closed condition.
16 . The clip according to claim 15 , wherein the return includes a first hook and the first end of the body includes a second hook, the first hook being adapted to engage the second hook to hold the body in the closed condition.
17 . The clip according to claim 15 , wherein the first end of the body includes a shaped member, and the return includes a recess sized and shaped to receive the shaped member in assembled relationship.