Annuloplasty Implant

Abstract

A method of making an annuloplasty implant includes forming first and second support rings arranged in a coiled configuration around an axial direction and forming at least part of the first and second support ring from a carbon fiber material. The first and second support rings can be formed by 3-D printing according to dimensions of a 3-D reconstruction of a heart valve.

1 . A method of manufacturing an annuloplasty implant, said method comprising;
 forming first and second support rings arranged in a coiled configuration around an axial direction and   forming at least part of the first and second support ring from a carbon fiber material.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said forming the first and second support rings comprises depositing material in a layer-by-layer deposition by three-dimensional printing. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 determining dimensions of the annuloplasty implant based on a three-dimensional reconstruction of a heart valve determined from patient medical imaging data, and   forming the first and second rings by the three-dimensional printing for patient-specific manufacturing of the annuloplasty implant according to said dimensions.   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said depositing material comprises depositing layers of the carbon fiber material. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said depositing material comprises depositing a secondary material between the layers of carbon fiber material. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the secondary material comprises a polymer material or metal alloy. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said method comprises:
 forming the first and second support rings of a carbon core of carbon fiber material, and   forming a layer outside the core of a secondary material.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the secondary material comprises a polymer material or metal alloy. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said method comprises:
 forming the first and second support rings of a core of a secondary material, and   forming a carbon layer of carbon fiber material outside the core.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the secondary material comprises a polymer material or metal alloy. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said method comprises interweaving the carbon fiber material with secondary fibers of a secondary material. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the secondary material comprises a polymer material or metal alloy. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said forming the first and second support rings comprises;
 providing an elongate portion of the carbon fiber material,   forming a coiled shape having the first and second support rings on a mold,   fixating the coiled shape, and   removing the mold.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said method comprises forming a weave of carbon fibers of the carbon fiber material. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said method comprises forming a tubular braid of carbon fibers of the carbon fiber material. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said method comprises forming a first plurality carbon fibers of the carbon fiber material extending substantially in a longitudinal direction of the first and/or second support ring along an annular periphery thereof so that the first and second support rings are resiliently movable in directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the carbon fibers. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising forming a second plurality of carbon fibers extending substantially in a radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first and/or second support ring. 
     
     
         18 . A method of manufacturing an annuloplasty implant, said method comprising:
 determining dimensions of an annuloplasty implant based on a three-dimensional reconstruction of a heart valve determined from patient medical imaging data, and   forming first and second support rings arranged in a coiled configuration around an axial direction by three-dimensional printing for patient-specific manufacturing of the annuloplasty implant according to said dimensions.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein at least part of the first and second support ring is formed by depositing a carbon fiber material in a layer-by-layer deposition by the three-dimensional printing.