Method And Apparatus For Removing Heart Valve Therapy
A retrieval catheter and methods of use are described for removing a heart valve therapy such as a leaflet clip or artificial leaflet cord. The retrieval catheter can include a cutting element and a basket, piercing element, clamping mechanism, or similar grasping device. The method includes delivering a catheter to the region of the heart valve therapy and then manipulating the catheter and associated instruments to cut tissue as necessary and then remove the heart valve therapy and withdraw the catheter.
1 . A system for removing a heart valve therapy, comprising:
an outer tubular sheath;
a cutting element comprising a first cutting loop connected to a first inner control member and movable from a first compressed configuration within the outer tubular sheath to a second expanded configuration outside of the outer tubular sheath;
wherein in the second expanded configuration of the cutting element, a plane aligned across an opening of the first cutting loop is angled between 45 degrees and 135 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the first inner control member and the first cutting loop is positioned to a side of the longitudinal axis of the first inner control member; and,
wherein the opening of the first cutting loop is rotatable within the outer tubular sheath to be alignable with the heart valve therapy.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the plane of an opening of the first cutting loop is angled at about 90 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the first inner control member.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first cutting loop is a wave shape in which side portions of the first cutting loop bend relative to a free end of the first cutting loop.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first cutting loop is circular, oval, or saddle shaped.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the second expanded configuration of the first cutting loop comprises a wire having one or more insulated portions and one or more uninsulated portions positioned to contact valve tissue.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first cutting loop comprises a single wire composed of a single conductive material, two or more wires that are each composed of a different conductive material, or a wire having a plurality of strands that are composed of different conductive material.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first cutting loop has one or more uninsulated portions limited to only a radially inner surface of the second expanded configuration of the cutting element.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the cutting element further comprises a second cutting loop positioned adjacent to the first cutting loop.
9 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a second cutting loop positioned adjacent to the first cutting loop.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the cutting loop has side portions that form a saddle shape.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the side portions dip downwards and upwards in a wave shape.
12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first cutting loop comprises a plurality of uninsulated regions that can be electrically activated individually at different times or all together at the same time.
13 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first cutting loop comprises Nitinol and stainless steel.
14 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first cutting loop comprises one or more Nitinol wires and one or more stainless steel wires.
15 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first cutting loop comprises one or more uninsulated portions located opposite of an elongated straight portion of the first inner control member.
16 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first cutting loop comprises one uninsulated portion within a range of 1 to 5 mm or a plurality of discrete uninsulated portions that are each within a range of 1 to 5 mm.
17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of discrete uninsulated portions are within of a range of 2 to 10 discrete uninsulated portions in number.
18 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first cutting loop at least partially comprises stainless steel; and wherein the first cutting loop comprises insulated portions and at least one uninsulated portion exposing the stainless steel.
19 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a basket connected to a second inner control member and movable from a first compressed configuration within the outer tubular sheath to a second expanded configuration outside of the outer tubular sheath.