Devices, systems, and methods for retaining a native heart valve leaflet

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods retain a native heart valve leaflet to prevent retrograde flow. The devices, systems, and methods employ an implant that, in use, rests adjacent a valve annulus and includes a retaining structure that is sized and shaped to overlay at least a portion of one or more native valve leaflets. The retaining structure retains the leaflet or leaflets it overlays, to resist leaflet eversion and/or prolapse. In this way, the implant prevents or reduces regurgitation. The implant does not interfere significantly with the opening of and blood flow through the leaflets during periods of antegrade flow.

1 . An implant that retains a native heart valve leaflet within a heart chamber to resist retrograde flow comprising:
 a scaffold sized and configured to rest adjacent all or a portion of a native heart valve annulus, at least a portion of the scaffold defining a pseudo-annulus and including a retaining structure near or within the pseudo-annulus that is sized and shaped to overlay at least a portion of one or more native valve leaflets,   the scaffold further sized and configured to contact tissue near or within the heart valve annulus to brace the retaining structure to resist leaflet eversion and/or prolapsed, and   an auxiliary structure to orient and stabilize the scaffold with the heart chamber.   
     
     
         2 . An implant according to  claim 1   wherein the retaining structure comprises a wire-form structure.   
     
     
         3 . An implant according to  claim 1   wherein at least one of the struts comprises a wire-form structure.   
     
     
         4 . An implant according to  claim 1   wherein the retaining structure and the struts each comprises a wire-form structure.   
     
     
         5 . An implant, according to  claim 1   wherein the scaffold is collapsible for placement within a catheter.   
     
     
         6 . An implant, according to  claim 1   wherein the scaffold further includes spaced-apart struts for contacting tissue near or within the heart valve annulus to brace the retaining structure to resist leaflet eversion and/or prolapsed.   
     
     
         7 . An implant, according to  claim 6   wherein at least, one of the struts carries a structure sized and configured to increase a surface area of contact with tissue at, above, or below the annulus.   
     
     
         8 . An implant according to  claim 6   wherein the struts reshape the heart valve annulus.   
     
     
         9 . An implant according to  claim 6   wherein the struts apply tension to tissue to reshape the heart valve annulus.   
     
     
         10 . An implant according to  claim 6   wherein the struts displace tissue to reshape the heart valve annulus.   
     
     
         11 . An implant according to  claim 1   wherein the scaffold includes a material and a shape to provide a spring-like bias to enable compliant contact with tissue near or within the heart valve annulus.   
     
     
         12 . An implant according to  claim 1   further including a second heart valve treatment element appended to the scaffold to affect a heart valve function.   
     
     
         13 . An implant according to  claim 12   wherein the second heart valve treatment element includes means for reshaping the heart valve annulus for leaflet coaptation.   
     
     
         14 . An implant according to  claim 12   wherein the second heart valve treatment element includes means for separating tissue along an axis of the heart valve annulus for leafleted coaptation.