Synthetic chord
Synthetic chord devices and methods for using the same for connecting tissues are provided. Aspects of the synthetic chord device include a flexible cord having an attachment element at both a first and a second end, wherein each attachment element includes a piercing member coupled to a securing member that attaches the flexible cord to a first tissue. At least a portion of the flexible cord can be configured to be secured to a second tissue. Aspects of the invention also include sets of the synthetic chord device with pre-measured flexible cords. The devices and methods of the invention find use in a variety of applications, such as in applications in which it is desired to repair a heart valve.
1. A synthetic chord device comprising:
(a) a flexible cord having a first end and a second end and a length ranging from 16 mm to 48 mm;
(b) a first attachment element at said first end of said cord configured to attach said cord to a first location at a first tissue, wherein said first attachment element comprises a first tissue piercing member that is configured to pierce through tissue and is releasably coupled to a first securing member having an open configuration and a loop shape closed configuration and configured to attach said cord to tissue in the closed configuration, wherein the first attachment element comprises a flexible member between the tissue piercing member and the securing member;
(c) a second attachment element at a second end of said cord configured to attach said cord to a second location at said first tissue, wherein said second attachment element comprises a second tissue piercing member that is configured to pierce through tissue and is releasably coupled to a second securing member having an open configuration and a loop shape closed configuration and configured to attach said cord to tissue in the closed configuration, wherein the second attachment element comprises a flexible member between the tissue piercing member and the securing member;
wherein said securing member of each of said first and second attachment elements is a self-closing fastener and at least a portion of said cord between said first end and said second end is configured to be secured to a second tissue and comprises a pledget that is fixed in position on the flexible cord.
2. The synthetic chord device according to claim 1 , wherein said securing member of each of said first and second attachment elements comprises a shape memory material.
3. The synthetic chord device according to claim 2 , wherein said shape memory material comprises a nickel titanium alloy.
4. The synthetic cord device according to claim 2 , wherein said shape memory material comprises a nickel cobalt alloy.
5. The synthetic chord device according to claim 1 , wherein said chord comprises a polymer.
6. The synthetic chord device according to claim 5 , wherein said chord comprises expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE).
7. The synthetic chord device according to claim 1 , wherein said second tissue is cardiac tissue selected from the group consisting of a papillary muscle and a ventricular wall.
8. The synthetic chord device according to claim 1 , wherein said piercing member of each of said first and second attachment elements comprises a needle.
9. The synthetic chord device according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible cord is a single cord extending between the first securing member and the second securing member.
10. A synthetic chord device comprising:
(a) a flexible cord having a first end and a second end and a length ranging from 16 mm to 48 mm;
(b) a first attachment element at said first end of said cord configured to attach said cord to a first location at a first tissue, wherein said first attachment element comprises a needle releasably coupled to a self-closing fastener having an open configuration and a loop shape closed configuration and configured to attach said cord to tissue in the closed configuration, wherein the first attachment element comprises a flexible member between the tissue piercing member and the self-closing fastener;
(c) a second attachment element at a second end of said cord configured to attach said cord to a second location at said first tissue, wherein said second attachment element comprises a needle releasably coupled to a self-closing fastener having an open configuration and a loop shape closed configuration and configured to attach said cord to tissue in the closed configuration, wherein the second attachment element comprises a flexible member between the tissue piercing member and the self-closing fastener;
wherein at least a portion of said cord between said first end and said second end is configured to be secured to a second tissue and comprises a pledget that is fixed in position on the flexible cord.