Mitral shield

Abstract

A valve shield comprising a shaped sheet of material adapted to be affixed to the annulus of a valve and adapted to extend over at least a portion of at least one leaflet of the valve so as to assist or replace the closing function of that valve leaflet.

1 . A valve shield comprising a shaped sheet of material adapted to be affixed to the annulus of a valve and adapted to extend over at least a portion of at least one leaflet of the valve so as to assist or replace the closing function of that valve leaflet.  
   
   
       2 . A valve shield according to  claim 1  wherein the sheet of material is adapted to prevent leaflet prolapse.  
   
   
       3 . A valve shield according to  claim 2  wherein the sheet of material is crescent shaped.  
   
   
       4 . A valve shield according to  claim 3  wherein the portion of the sheet of material extending over at least a portion of the at least one leaflet includes at least one opening therein.  
   
   
       5 . A valve shield according to  claim 3  wherein the portion of the sheet of material extending over at least a portion of the at least one leaflet is substantially solid.  
   
   
       6 . A valve shield according to  claim 2  wherein the sheet of material is adapted to be fastened to the annulus of the valve with sutures.  
   
   
       7 . A valve shield according to  claim 6  wherein the sheet of material includes preformed holes for receiving the suture.  
   
   
       8 . A valve shield according to  claim 2  wherein the sheet of material is adapted to be fastened to the annulus of the valve with staples.  
   
   
       9 . A valve shield according to  claim 8  wherein the sheet of material includes staples formed integral therewith.  
   
   
       10 . A valve shield according to  claim 2  wherein the material comprises biological material.  
   
   
       11 . A valve shield according to  claim 2  wherein the material comprises periocardium.  
   
   
       12 . A valve shield according to  claim 2  wherein the material comprises non-biological material.  
   
   
       13 . A valve shield according to  claim 1  wherein the material is round and includes at least one opening therein.  
   
   
       14 . A valve shield according to  claim 1  wherein the shaped sheet of material comprises a wire frame.  
   
   
       15 . A valve shield according to  claim 2  wherein the shaped sheet of material comprises a crescent shape with a mid-line projection adapted to support a second leaflet against prolapse.  
   
   
       16 . A valve shield according to  claim 1  wherein the sheet of material is adapted to extend over at least two leaflets.  
   
   
       17 . A valve shield according to  claim 16  wherein the sheet of material includes at least one opening therein.  
   
   
       18 . A method for reducing regurgitation in a valve having a plurality of leaflets, said method comprising: 
 providing a valve shield comprising a shaped sheet of material; and    affixing the valve shield to the annulus of the valve so that it extends over at least a portion of at least one leaflet of the valve so as to assist or replace the closing function of that valve leaflet.