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 fluid control valve, transluminally deliverable via a catheter to a target site in a patient, comprising:
a deformable mesh housing structure including a radially expandable anchoring mechanism; and,
a flow control mechanism coupled to said deformable housing structure;
wherein said flow control mechanism comprises a sleeve having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end coupled to said deformable housing structure;
wherein said distal end of said sleeve is coupled to an inside surface of said deformable housing structure.
2 . The fluid control valve of claim 1 wherein said anchoring mechanism comprises a cuff.
3 . The fluid control valve of claim 1 wherein said radially expandable anchoring mechanism includes a distal end that, when said fluid control valve is compressed into a catheter, comprises a distal end of the fluid control valve.
4 . The fluid control valve of claim 1 wherein said proximal end extends proximally out of said deformable housing structure.
5 . The fluid control valve of claim 1 wherein said anchoring mechanism comprises radially self-expanding legs.
6 . A system for transluminally delivering a replacement fluid control valve to a target site in a patient comprising:
a delivery catheter;
a radially compressible and expandable mesh cuff having a compressed state allowing said cuff to be contained within said delivery catheter and an expanded state that anchors said cuff to a target site in a patient, the cuff having a distal end that expands by flaring outwardly as said cuff exits said delivery catheter;
a flow control mechanism having a sleeve and a plurality of valve members, said sleeve having a distal portion and a proximal portion, said distal portion operably coupled to and within said cuff.
7 . The system of claim 6 wherein said proximal portion of said flow control mechanism extends proximally out of said cuff.
8 . The system of claim 6 wherein said cuff has a proximal end that surrounds said distal portion of said sleeve.
9 . The system of claim 6 wherein said distal end of said cuff contacts tissue as it expands prior to a remaining portion of said cuff exiting said delivery catheter.