Adjustable prosthetic valve implant

Abstract

A prosthetic implant for treating a diseased aortic valve is described. The prosthetic implant includes a substantially tubular body configured to be positioned in an aorta of a patient, at or near the patient's aortic valve. The body includes a lumen extending through the body; and an adjustable frame surrounding the lumen. The prosthetic implant further includes at least one adjustable element located in or on the body and extending at least partially around a circumference of the lumen. The at least one adjustable element is transformable, in response to application of an activation energy, from a first configuration to a second configuration. The at least one adjustable element may engage at least one of a root of the aorta, an annulus of the aortic valve, and the patient's left ventricle, when the at least one adjustable element is in the second configuration.

1 .- 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A prosthetic implant for treating a diseased valve in a patient's aorta, the prosthetic implant comprising:
 valve means for permitting one-way flow of blood from the patient's left ventricle into the aorta;   engagement means for engaging at least one of a root of the aorta, an annulus of the aortic valve, and the patient's left ventricle, the engagement means being coupled to the valve means;   support means for supporting the valve means and coupled to the valve means, the support means being configured to extend distally into the ascending aorta beyond the aortic valve annulus when the valve means is in position at the aortic valve;   wherein the engagement means is adjustable from a first configuration to a second configuration in response to an activation energy established using an energy source external to the patient's body, wherein the first configuration and second configuration differ in size in at least one dimension; and   wherein the engagement means engages the at least one of the root of the aorta, the annulus of the aortic valve, and the patient's left ventricle, when in the second configuration.   
     
     
         30 . A method, for treating an abdominal aortic aneurysm, comprising:
 providing a prosthetic implant, comprising:
 a substantially tubular body configured to be positioned in an aorta of a patient, at or near the patient's aortic valve, the body comprising:
 a lumen extending through the body from a proximal end to a distal end of the body; and 
 an adjustable frame surrounding the lumen; and 
 at least one adjustable element located in or on the body and extending at least partially around a circumference of the lumen; 
 
 wherein the at least one adjustable element comprises a shape memory material and is transformable, in response to application of an activation energy, from a first configuration to a second configuration, 
   wherein the first configuration and second configuration differ in a size of at least one dimension of the at least one adjustable element; and   wherein the at least one adjustable element is configured to engage at least one of a root of the aorta, an annulus of the aortic valve, and the patient's left ventricle, when the at least one adjustable element is in the second configuration; and   exposing the device to the activation energy, changing the at least one adjustable element from the first configuration to the second configuration.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising implanting the prosthetic implant at the aortic valve region percutaneously. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the implanting comprises expanding at least a portion of the prosthetic implant using a balloon. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the device is exposed to the activation energy post-implantation. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the device is exposed to an activation energy in multiple procedures. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the activation energy comprises radio frequency energy. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the activation energy comprises ultrasound energy. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the activation energy comprises magnetic energy. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the at least one adjustable element is imaged contemporaneously with exposure to the activation energy. 
     
     
         39 . A catheter device for activating an adjustable implant, the catheter device comprising:
 an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end, the body configured to be placed within a patient's heart and/or aorta;   a first slot member, having a first slot, the first slot member disposed at the distal end of the body;   an energy-transfer member configured to couple to an activation post on a valve implant when the implant is located in the heart and the activation post is positioned at least partially within the slot member;   at least one activation lead configured to provide a transfer of energy between an energy source located outside of the patient and the energy-transfer member.   
     
     
         40 . The adjustment catheter of  claim 39 , wherein the energy-transfer member is configured to thermally couple to the activation post. 
     
     
         41 . The adjustment catheter of  claim 39 , wherein the energy source is coupled to the proximal end of the catheter system. 
     
     
         42 . The adjustment catheter of  claim 39 , wherein the first slot member further comprises a sharp edge configured to cut through tissue on the activation post. 
     
     
         43 . The adjustment catheter of  claim 39 , further comprising a second slot member, having a second slot, wherein the second slot is disposed at or near the distal end of the body. 
     
     
         44 . The adjustment catheter of  claim 39 , further comprising a locking member for securely coupling the activation post with the body. 
     
     
         45 . The adjustment catheter of  claim 39 , further comprising a spring-loaded tab within the slot or opening. 
     
     
         46 . The adjustment catheter of  claim 39 , further comprising radiopaque markers.