Anchored Leaflet Device And Methods For Transcatheter Valve Repair
A leaflet repair device for a heart valve of a human heart comprises an implantable leaflet with a coaptation edge; a repair chord connected at one end to near the coaptation edge; a chord anchor for anchoring the repair chord to native structure of the human heart; and at least one annulus anchor for anchoring the leaflet to native structure of the human heart. In at least one embodiment, the leaflet repair device may overlap a diseased, prolapsed, or otherwise inferior leaflet that is not creating proper coaptation with a mating leaflet.
1 . A heart valve repair system comprising:
an implantable leaflet having a coaptation edge and an annulus edge;
a chord for connecting said coaptation edge to a native structure of the heart, said chord having a proximal and a distal end;
a fixation mechanism associated with said chord for attaching said distal end of said chord to said native structure of said heart;
at least one annulus attachment device for securing said annulus edge of said implantable leaflet to an annulus of said heart valve.
2 . The heart valve repair system according to claim 1 , further comprising multiple chords for connecting said coaptation edge of said implantable leaflet to said native structure of said heart.
3 . The heart valve repair system according to claim 1 , wherein the implantable leaflet comprises a tissue material.
4 . The heart valve repair system according to claim 3 , wherein said tissue material comprises a calcification-resistant implantable biomaterial.
5 . The heart valve repair system according to claim 3 , wherein said tissue material comprises mammal tissue.
6 . The heart valve repair system according to claim 3 , wherein the tissue material comprises a synthetic material.
7 . The heart valve repair system according to claim 1 , further comprising a fixation mechanism for attaching a proximal end of said chord to said implantable leaflet.
8 . A method for repairing a valve in a heart comprising:
obtaining a replacement leaflet having an annulus edge and a coaptation edge;
delivering said replacement leaflet to a malfunctioning heart valve;
attaching said annulus edge of said replacement leaflet to an annulus of said malfunctioning heart valve;
connecting said coaptation edge of said replacement leaflet to a native structure of said heart.
9 . A method according to claim 8 , wherein delivering said replacement leaflet comprises delivering said replacement leaflet transeptally
10 . A method according to claim 8 , wherein repairing a valve includes repairing one of a group of heart valves consisting of a mitral valve, a tricuspid valve, an aortic valve, and a pulmonary valve.
11 . A method according to claim 8 , wherein the connecting of said coaptation edge of said replacement valve to a native structure of said heart comprises securing a chord between said coaptation edge and said native structure of said heart.
12 . A method according to claim 8 , wherein said attaching an annulus edge of said replacement leaflet to said valve annulus comprises anchoring said annulus edge to said valve annulus.
13 . A method according to claim 8 , wherein a native leaflet of said valve is allowed to remain in place.
14 . A method according to claim 8 , wherein a native leaflet of said valve is excised prior to delivering said replacement leaflet.
15 . A method according to claim 8 , wherein after delivering said replacement leaflet to said malfunctioning heart valve, a plurality of chords are deployed and anchored in tissue associated with said heart valve.
16 . A method according to claim 15 , wherein said replacement leaflet is urged along said plurality of chords towards a fixation location in said annulus of said malfunctioning heart valve.
17 . A method according to claim 16 , wherein an annulus edge of said replacement leaflet is anchored to said annulus of said valve and at least some of the plurality of chords are cut.
18 . A method according to claim 17 , wherein an anchor chord of said plurality of chords is evaluated for tension between said coaptation edge of said replacement leaflet and said tissue associated with said heart valve.
19 . A method according to claim 18 , wherein said anchor chord is cut when a target tension has been established.
20 . A method according to claim 17 , wherein multiple anchor chords are evaluated for tension.
21 . A kit for treating a malfunctioning valve of a heart comprising;
a steerable guide catheter;
a delivery catheter;
a replacement valve leaflet configured for delivery in said delivery catheter through said steerable guide catheter;
a plurality of chords for securing said leaflet into tissue associated with said malfunctioning valve;
a plurality of anchor mechanisms associated with said plurality of chords;
a pusher for deploying said chords and deploying said replacement leaflet.
22 . A kit according to claim 21 , further comprising a cutter for cutting said chords.
23 . A kit according to claim 21 , further comprising spacers used to connect at least one chord to native tissue associated with said malfunctioning valve.