Percutaneous leaflet augmentation

Abstract

In a representative embodiment, an implantable prosthetic heart valve device comprises an elongated body having first and second end portions, the body being configured to be implanted around a native leaflet of a heart valve such that the first end portion is on an atrial side of the leaflet and the second end portion is on a ventricular side of the leaflet and such that the body can coapt with and move away from an opposing native leaflet during operation of the heart valve. The device can further comprises a fastener configured to be mounted on a suture that extends from one of the first or second end portions, through the native leaflet and through the other of the first or second end portions such that the body is secured to the native leaflet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An implantable prosthetic heart valve device comprising:
 an elongated body having first and second end portions, the body being configured to be implanted around a native leaflet of a heart valve such that the first end portion is on an atrial side of the leaflet and the second end portion is on a ventricular side of the leaflet and such that the body can coapt with and move away from an opposing native leaflet during operation of the heart valve; and   a fastener configured to be mounted on a suture that extends from one of the first or second end portions, through the native leaflet and through the other of the first or second end portions such that the body is secured to the native leaflet.   
     
     
         2 . The prosthetic heart valve device of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises an intermediate portion extending between the first and second end portions, the body being configured such that the intermediate portion extends beyond a free end of the native leaflet when the body is secured to the native leaflet. 
     
     
         3 . The prosthetic device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second end portions comprises one or more barbs that can penetrate the native leaflet. 
     
     
         4 . The prosthetic device of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a tubular layer defining a lumen extending from the first end portion to the second end portion. 
     
     
         5 . The prosthetic device of  claim 4 , wherein the tubular layer has a cross-sectional profile in a plane perpendicular to the length of the tubular layer, the cross-sectional profile having a major lateral dimension and minor lateral dimension that is smaller than the major lateral dimension. 
     
     
         6 . The prosthetic device of  claim 4 , wherein tubular layer comprises a tubular braided layer. 
     
     
         7 . The prosthetic device of  claim 6 , wherein the braided layer comprises a first, inner braided layer and a second, outer braided layer extending over the inner braided layer, the outer braided layer being relatively less porous to blood than the inner braided layer. 
     
     
         8 . An assembly comprising:
 an elongated flexible rail having first and second ends and a length sufficient to form a loop that extends into a patient's body and through a native leaflet of a heart valve with the first and second ends outside of the patient's body;   an elongated catheter; and   an implantable prosthetic device configured to be implanted on the native leaflet, the prosthetic device being coupled to the rail and the catheter such that advancing the catheter along the rail is effective to advance the prosthetic device to the native leaflet;   wherein the prosthetic device is configured such that when it is implanted on the native leaflet, the prosthetic device can coapt with and move away from an opposing native leaflet during operation of the heart valve.   
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising a deployable fastener coupled to the catheter and configured to be secured on the rail adjacent the leaflet such that the rail and the fastener secure the prosthetic device to the leaflet. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the rail extends through a lumen of the prosthetic device from a first end to a second end of the prosthetic device such that the prosthetic device can be slid along the rail.