Cardiac valve repair devices and associated systems and methods
Cardiac valve repair devices and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A cardiac valve repair device configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, a coaptation member configured to be positioned between one or more native leaflets of the cardiac valve to at least partially fill a space between the native leaflets. The cardiac valve repair device can further include one or more fixation mechanisms for securing the coaptation member in position between the leaflets. A cardiac valve repair device configured in accordance with additional embodiments of the present technology can include an atrial member and a ventricular member configured to sandwich one or more the native leaflets therebetween.
1 . A valve repair device for repairing a cardiac valve including a first native leaflet and a second native leaflet, the valve repair device comprising:
a coaptation member configured to be positioned at least partially between the first native leaflet and the second native leaflet, wherein the coaptation member has a first portion configured to face the first native leaflet and a second portion configured to face the second native leaflet;
a clip mechanism extending from the first portion and configured to engage a ventricular side of the first native leaflet to at least partially secure the first native leaflet between the clip mechanism and the first portion of the coaptation member; and
a stabilization member extending from the coaptation member at least partially upward from the coaptation member and laterally away from the first portion of the coaptation member, wherein the stabilization member comprises a frame and a covering at least partially enclosing the frame, the frame comprising at least one curved wire form shaped to match a shape of the atrial side of the first native leaflet and an atrial wall, and wherein the stabilization member is shaped to extend along and press against an atrial side of the first native leaflet and the atrial wall above the first native leaflet to substantially maintain the coaptation member in a substantially stationary position relative to the cardiac valve during cardiac cycles.
2 . The valve repair device of claim 1 wherein the coaptation member has a generally trapezoidal side cross-sectional shape.
3 . The valve repair device of claim 1 wherein the coaptation member has a generally rectangular side cross-sectional shape.
4 . The valve repair device of claim 1 wherein the cardiac valve is a mitral valve, wherein the first native leaflet is a posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, and wherein the second native leaflet is an anterior leaflet of the mitral valve.
5 . The valve repair device of claim 1 wherein the stabilization member extends away from the coaptation member at an angle of between 10-75 degrees.
6 . The valve repair device of claim 1 wherein the stabilization member extends away from the coaptation member at angle of greater than about 45 degrees.
7 . The valve repair device of claim 1 wherein the stabilization member extends away from the coaptation member at an angle selected to inhibit the coaptation member from contacting a ventricular wall below the first native leaflet during the cardiac cycles.
8 . The valve repair device of claim 1 wherein the frame has an M-like shape.
9 . The valve repair device of claim 1 wherein the covering fully encloses the frame.
10 . The valve repair device of claim 1 wherein the frame comprises a wire form.
11 . The valve repair device of claim 1 wherein the coaptation member has a generally trapezoidal side cross-sectional shape and a generally almond-like transverse cross-sectional shape.
12 . The valve repair device of claim 1 wherein the frame has a generally circular shape.
13 . The valve repair device of claim 1 wherein the frame comprises multiple generally-circular rings.
14 . The valve repair device of claim 1 wherein the frame has an elongate curved shape.
15 . The valve repair device of claim 1 wherein the frame comprises multiple curved wire forms each shaped to match a shape of the atrial side of the first native leaflet and the atrial wall.
16 . The valve repair device of claim 1 wherein the coaptation member defines an interior volume and an opening to the interior volume, and wherein the clip mechanism is actuatable via a delivery component inserted through the opening in the coaptation member and into the interior volume of the coaptation member to move the clip mechanism between a closed position and an open position.