Valve sizer and method of use

Abstract

A valve sizer having a movable element mounted to the distal end of a shaft. A valve sizing portion includes the movable element so that the valve sizing portion may be adjusted to correspond to a number of different available replacement valve sizes. An indicator mounted to the proximal end of the shaft indicates the valve size corresponding to the outer dimension of the valve sizing portion.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A valve sizer for determining an appropriate replacement valve size when performing a valve replacement procedure, comprising: 
 a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;    a movable element coupled to the distal end of the shaft, the movable element being movable between a first position and a second position;    a valve sizing portion having an outer dimension, the valve sizing portion being at least partially defined by the movable element;    an indicator at the proximal end of the shaft, the indicator indicating a replacement valve size corresponding to the outer dimension of the valve sizing portion; and    an actuator at the proximal end of the elongate shaft, the actuator being operatively coupled to the movable element for moving the movable element between the first and second positions.    
     
     
         2 . The valve sizer of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the movable element includes a plurality of arms, the plurality of arms having outer surfaces generally forming a generally circular shape in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by the shaft, the plurality of arms being movable between the first and second positions.    
     
     
         3 . The valve sizer of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the plurality of arms move in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by the shaft.    
     
     
         4 . The valve sizer of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a rod extending through at least a portion of the shaft, the rod being operatively coupled to the actuator.    
     
     
         5 . The valve sizer of  claim 4 , wherein: 
 the rod is rotatable relative to the shaft, the rod being coupled to the actuator so that rotation of the rod relative to the shaft moves the movable element between the first and second positions.    
     
     
         6 . The valve sizer of  claim 4 , further comprising: 
 a disc attached to the rod;    the movable element including a plurality of arms;    the disc having a plurality of slots which receive pins attached to the plurality of arms.    
     
     
         7 . The valve sizer of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a plurality of camming surfaces coupled to the shaft, the plurality of camming surfaces being configured to engage and cam the plurality of arms when the actuator is actuated to move the movable element from the first position to the second position.    
     
     
         8 . The valve sizer of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the outer dimension is no more than 21 mm when the movable element is in the first position.    
     
     
         9 . The valve sizer of  claim 8 , wherein: 
 the outer dimension is no more than 19 mm when the movable element is in the first position.    
     
     
         10 . The valve sizer of  claim 8 , wherein: 
 the outer dimension is at least 31 mm when the movable element is in the second position.    
     
     
         11 . The valve sizer of  claim 8 , wherein: 
 the outer dimension is at least 33 mm when the movable element is in the second position.    
     
     
         12 . A valve sizer for measuring a patient's valve annulus, comprising: 
 a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end;    a ring mounted to the distal end of the shaft, the ring being movable from a first position to a second position, the first position having a smaller diameter than the second position; and    an actuator mounted to the proximal end of the shaft, the actuator being operatively coupled to the ring for moving the ring from the first position to the second position.    
     
     
         13 . The valve sizer of  claim 12 , wherein: 
 the ring includes a first part and a second part slidably coupled to the first part.    
     
     
         14 . The valve sizer of  claim 12 , wherein: 
 the second part is slidably received in a recess in the first part, the first part having first and second ends.    
     
     
         15 . The valve sizer of  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 a first lever coupled to the first end of the first part;    a second lever coupled to the second end of the first part, the second lever being rotatable relative to the first lever;    the actuator being operatively coupled to at least one of the first and second levers for rotating the first lever with respect to the second lever.    
     
     
         16 . A valve sizer for measuring a patient's valve annulus, comprising: 
 a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inflation lumen;    a balloon mounted to the distal end of the shaft, the balloon being fluidly coupled to the lumen; and    an indicator which indicates an outer dimension of the balloon when the balloon is inflated.    
     
     
         17 . The valve sizer of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 a cylinder mounted to the proximal end of the shaft, the cylinder having a   a piston slidably disposed within the cylinder;    the indicator comprising markings on the cylinder.