Device for fastening and anchoring cardiac valve prostheses

Abstract

This invention relates to a device for fastening and anchoring heart valve prostheses which is essentially formed of wire-shaped interconnected elements. The aim of the invention is to be able to be implant, in a minimally invasive manner, a device of this type via the aorta by compressing the device to make it smaller, and by extending the same at the site of implantation, whereby ensuring a secure retention and a secure sealing with regard to the aorta wall. To this end, the invention provides that for fastening and supporting a cardiac valve prosthesis, three identical pairs of arched elements are interconnected, with a configuration that is offset by 120°, by means of solid body articulations. These solid body articulations carry out the function of pivot bearings.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for fastening and anchoring a heart valve prosthesis, the device consisting of three identical sections, each section being coupled to adjacent sections on each side of said section by an elongated supporting ridge extending in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the device, each section having a first arched element arched in a first direction, a second arched element arched in the first direction, and a third arched element arched in a second direction opposite from the first direction, the second and third arched elements being coupled to the first arched element at first points to define between the first and second arched elements a first space, each section further comprising a fourth arched element arched in the second direction and having ends coupled to the first arched element of said section and a the first arched element of an adjacent section at second points distinct from the first points to define between the fourth arched element and the adjacent first arched elements a second space. 
     
     
       2. A device for supporting a heart valve prosthesis, the device consisting essentially of three substantially identical elements, each element being coupled to adjacent elements on each side of said element by an elongated supporting member extending in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the device, each element including a first arched member coupled to, and extending in a first direction generally away from said first arched member's respective supporting members, and a second arched member coupled to the first arched member at points different from the first arched member's coupling to its respective supporting members, the second arched member extending generally in a second direction opposite from the first direction, wherein each element further includes a third arched member coupled to the first arched member at substantially the same points as the second arched member is coupled to the first arched member, the third arched member extending generally in the first direction, each element further including a pair of fourth arched members, each of said fourth arched members extending alongside, and conforming generally to, the curvature of a portion of the first arched member, each of the fourth arched members being coupled to a first arched member intermediate opposite ends of said first arched member and extending from said coupling to said first arched member generally in said second direction toward a respective supporting member. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 2  wherein each fourth arched member extends to a point adjacent a respective supporting member, turns, and extends generally in the first direction, conforming generally to the curvature of a portion of a first arched member of an adjacent element on one side of said element. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 3  wherein each element further includes transversal members extending between its respective supporting members. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 4  wherein at least some of said transversal members include tips to facilitate anchoring of said device into tissue of a vessel or the heart of a wearer of the device. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 4  constructed from memory metal. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 3  constructed from memory metal. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 2  wherein each element further includes transversal members extending between its respective supporting members. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 8  wherein at least some of said transversal members include tips to facilitate anchoring of said device into tissue of a vessel or the heart of a wearer of the device. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 8  constructed from memory metal. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 2  constructed from memory metal. 
     
     
       12. A medical device, in combination with a heart valve prosthesis, the medical device consisting of three substantially identical sections, each section being coupled to adjacent sections on each side of the section, the medical device being implantable in a body via a catheter and including a collapsed mode and an expanded mode, each section including:
 a first arched element arched in a first direction, the first arched element disposed at a distal end of the device;   a second arched element arched in the first direction, the second arched element disposed at the distal end of the device and connected to the first arched element at first points; and   a fourth arched element arched in a second direction opposite from the first direction and having ends coupled to the first arched element of said section and the first arched element of an adjacent section at second points distinct from the first points to define between the fourth arched element and the adjacent first arched elements a space;   wherein the heart valve prosthesis is fixedly attached to the first, second, and fourth arched elements of each of the three sections and remains fixedly attached to function as a heart valve after removal of the catheter from the body, the heart valve prosthesis repeatedly opening and closing to allow and prevent blood flow, respectively, through the medical device.   
     
     
       13. The medical device, in combination with the heart valve prosthesis of claim 12, each section further including:
 a third arched element arched in the second direction, the third arched element connected to the first and second arched elements at the first points.   
     
     
       14. The medical device, in combination with the heart valve prosthesis of claim 13, wherein each section further includes an eyelet element disposed at a proximal end of the device opposite the distal end. 
     
     
       15. The medical device, in combination with the heart valve prosthesis of claim 12, wherein each of the three fourth arched elements conforms generally to a curvature of a portion of the first arched element of the first section and the curvature of a portion of the first arched element of the adjacent section. 
     
     
       16. The medical device, in combination with the heart valve prosthesis of claim 12, wherein at least one of the second points pivots when a pressure force is exerted upon one of the first or fourth arched elements. 
     
     
       17. The medical device, in combination with the heart valve prosthesis of claim 12, wherein the device is configured to be implanted within an aorta. 
     
     
       18. The medical device, in combination with the heart valve prosthesis of claim 12, wherein each section is coupled to the adjacent sections by a supporting ridge, each section further including transversal members extending between adjacent elongated supporting ridges. 
     
     
       19. The medical device, in combination with the heart valve prosthesis of claim 18, wherein at least some of said transversal members include tips to facilitate anchoring of said device into tissue of a vessel or a heart of a patient. 
     
     
       20. The medical device, in combination with the heart valve prosthesis of claim 18, wherein the transversal members have a saw-tooth shape. 
     
     
       21. The medical device, in combination with the heart valve prosthesis of claim 18, wherein the transversal members have a rhombic shape. 
     
     
       22. The medical device, in combination with the heart valve prosthesis of claim 12, wherein the heart valve prosthesis is a biological heart valve prosthesis. 
     
     
       23. The medical device, in combination with the heart valve prosthesis of claim 12, wherein the heart valve prosthesis is an artificial heart valve prosthesis. 
     
     
       24. The medical device, in combination with the heart valve prosthesis of claim 12, wherein the three sections are spaced substantially 120 degrees apart. 
     
     
       25. The medical device, in combination with the heart valve prosthesis of claim 12, wherein the device is constructed from memory metal. 
     
     
       26. The medical device, in combination with the heart valve prosthesis of claim 12, wherein the device is balloon expandable. 
     
     
       27. A medical device, in combination with a heart valve prosthesis, the medical device consisting of three substantially identical sections, each section being coupled to adjacent sections on each side of the section, the medical device being implantable in a body via a catheter and having a first, compressed mode and a second, expanded mode, each section including:
 a first arched element arched in a first direction, the first arched element disposed at a distal end of the device;   a third arched element arched in a second direction opposite from the first direction, the first and third arched elements connected to each other at a first point, wherein between an apex of the first arched element and an apex of the third arched element there is a space; and   a fourth arched element arched in a direction opposite from the first direction and having a first end coupled to the first arched element of said section at a second point and a second end coupled to the first arched element of an adjacent section at a third point, the second point and the third point being distinct from the first point to define between the fourth arched element and the adjacent first arched elements a space;   wherein the heart valve prosthesis is fixedly attached to the first and fourth arched elements of each of the three sections and remains fixedly attached to function as a heart valve after removal of the catheter from the body, the heart valve prosthesis repeatedly opening and closing to allow and prevent blood flow, respectively, through the medical device.   
     
     
       28. The medical device, in combination with the heart valve prosthesis of claim 27, wherein the first point is a pivot point about which the third arched element can move. 
     
     
       29. A medical device, in combination with a heart valve prosthesis fixedly attached to the medical device, the medical device consisting of three substantially identical sections, each section being coupled to adjacent sections on each side of the section, the medical device being implantable in a body via a catheter and having a first, compressed mode and a second, expanded mode, each section including:
 a first arched element arched in a first direction, the first arched element connected to a supporting ridge and disposed on a first, distal end of the supporting ridge;   a third arched element arched in a second direction opposite from the first direction, the first and third arched elements connected to each other at a first point, wherein between an apex of the first arched element and an apex of the third arched element there is a space; and   a fourth arched element arched in a direction opposite from the first direction and having ends coupled to the first arched element of said section and the first arched element of an adjacent section, wherein a curvature of the fourth arched element is different from a curvature of the third arched element; and   a plurality of undulating transverse ridges connected to the supporting ridge and disposed on a second, proximal end of the supporting ridge opposite the first, distal end, such that the supporting ridge is disposed proximal to the first arched element and distal to the plurality of undulating transverse ridges, the plurality of undulating transverse ridges including at least two sets of undulating transverse ridges, each set of undulating transverse ridges extending around a circumference of the medical device;   wherein the heart valve prosthesis remains fixedly attached to the medical device to function as a heart valve after removal of the catheter from the body, the heart valve prosthesis repeatedly opening and closing to allow and prevent blood flow, respectively, through the medical device.   
     
     
       30. The medical device, in combination with a heart valve prosthesis of claim 29, further including an eyelet element connected to at least one of the plurality of undulating transverse ridges. 
     
     
       31. The medical device, in combination with a heart valve prosthesis of claim 29, wherein the plurality of undulating transverse ridges form a supporting body configured to engage a portion of a vessel wall when the medical device is in the expanded mode at a deployed state. 
     
     
       32. The medical device, in combination with a heart valve prosthesis of claim 29, wherein the device is configured to be implanted within an aorta. 
     
     
       33. The medical device, in combination with a heart valve prosthesis of claim 29, wherein at least one of the plurality of undulating transverse ridges includes tips to facilitate anchoring of the device into tissue of a vessel or a heart of a patient. 
     
     
       34. The medical device, in combination with a heart valve prosthesis of claim 29, wherein the plurality of undulating transverse ridges have a saw-tooth shape. 
     
     
       35. The medical device, in combination with a heart valve prosthesis of claim 29, wherein the plurality of undulating transverse ridges have a rhombic shape. 
     
     
       36. The medical device, in combination with a heart valve prosthesis of claim 29, wherein the heart valve prosthesis is a biological heart valve prosthesis. 
     
     
       37. The medical device, in combination with a heart valve prosthesis of claim 29, wherein the heart valve prosthesis is an artificial heart valve prosthesis. 
     
     
       38. The medical device, in combination with a heart valve prosthesis of claim 29, wherein the three sections are spaced substantially 120 degrees apart. 
     
     
       39. The medical device, in combination with a heart valve prosthesis of claim 29, wherein the device is constructed from memory metal. 
     
     
       40. The medical device, in combination with a heart valve prosthesis of claim 29, wherein the device is balloon expandable.