Medical device for treating a heart valve insufficiency or stenosis
64 claims: 59 independent, 5 dependent
- 1心臓弁の機能不全を治療するための自己拡張型の内部人工器官であって、患者の体内で内部人工器官の所定位置への着脱の操作を行うための少なくとも1つの保持手段 と、 内部人工器官を患者の体内で所定の位置に配置するための複数の位置決めアーチと、 人工心臓弁を収容するための保持アーチを備えた固定部とを有し、 位置決めアーチと保持アーチは、互いに連携する形状を有することによって、内部人工器官が患者の体内で所定の位置にある場合に、まだ残っている心臓弁の組織片を、位置決めアーチと保持アーチとの間に保持する ことを特徴とする内部人工器官。
- 2少なくとも1つの保持手段は、 導入カテーテル機構の固定機構と連携するように構成され ている ことを特徴とする請求項1に記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 3患者の身体に導入される際には第1のプログラムモードをとり、 体内に埋め込まれた状態では第2のプログラムモードをとり、 第1のプログラムモード時には折り畳まれた状態にあり、 第2のプログラムモード時には拡張状態にあることを特徴とする請求項2に記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 4心臓代用弁を取り付け可能な近位固定部と、 保持手段を有する末端領域とを含むことを特徴とする請求項1または2に記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 5前記保持手段は、挿入機構の固定機構と一体となる、望ましくは王冠状に形成されたカテーテル先端の固定機構のポケットと一体となる、解除可能な係合へと移行可能であることを特徴とする請求項4に記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 6前記保持手段は、固定機構の冠部に形成された少なくとも1つのポケットと補完的な形状を有することにより、解除可能な係合によってカテーテル先端の固定機構と連携するように構成されていることを特徴とする請求項5に記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 7内部人工器官が所定の位置にある場合に、固定部が内部人工器官の近位端にあり、保持手段が内部人工器官の遠位末端にあることを特徴とする請求項 1~6のいずれか1つ に記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 8各保持アーチは位置決めアーチと関連しており、各位置決めアーチの遠位末端部分は関連する保持アーチの端部に接続されていることを特徴とする請求項 1~7のいずれか1つ に記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 9位置決めアーチと保持アーチは、内部人工器官の近位端側が閉じた実質的にU字形またはV字形の構造を有することを特徴とする請求項 1 ~ 8 のいずれか1つに記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 10各位置決めアーチの遠位末端は、内部人工器官の長手方向に延びる接続羽板によって、関連する保持アーチの遠位末端部分に接続されていることを特徴とする請求項 1 ~ 9 のいずれか1つに記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 11保持手段は、内部人工器官の遠位末端において、隣接する位置決めアーチの間に配置されていることを特徴とする請求項 1 ~ 10 のいずれか1つに記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 12保持手段は、内部人工器官の長手方向に延びる接続羽板によって、位置決めアーチに接続されていることを特徴とする請求項 11 に記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 13保持手段は、少なくとも1つの返しを含むことを特徴とする請求項 1 ~ 12 のいずれか1つに記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 14返しは、内部人工器官の近位端側を向く先端を有することを特徴とする請求項 13 に記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 15保持手段は、アイであることを特徴とする請求項 1 ~ 14 のいずれか1つに記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 16保持手段は、穴の開いていない保持ヘッドであることを特徴とする請求項 1 ~ 15 のいずれか1つに記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 17各保持アーチは、内部人工器官の遠位末端側に延びる、返し部を含むことを特徴とする請求項 1 ~ 16 のいずれか1つに記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 18返し部は、アーチ形状であって、内部人工器官が所定の位置にある場合に、保持アーチから突き出ることを特徴とする請求項 17 に記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 19返し部は、遠位末端において閉じた実質的にU字形またはV字形の構造を有し、 返し部の末端領域は、固定支持部の先端を形成し、 返し部は、近位端において、隣接する保持アーチに接続されていることを特徴とする請求項 17 または 18 に記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 20保持アーチには、長手方向に延びる1つ以上の溝が設けられていることを特徴とする請求項 1 ~ 19 のいずれか1つに記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 21各溝の長さは、補強部によって分断されていることを特徴とする請求項 20 に記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 22着床部位まで供給できるようにするための最小化した立体配置と、 拡張した立体配置とを有することを特徴とする請求項 1 ~ 21 のいずれか1つに記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 23医療用デバイスを患者の大動脈中で機械的に配置するための少なくとも3つの位置決めアーチと、 心臓代用弁を収容するための保持アーチを有する保持セグメントとをさらに含み、 内部人工器官は、患者の身体に導入される間は第1のプログラムモードをとり、 埋め込まれた状態では第2のプログラムモードをとり、 第1のプログラムモードにあるときは折り畳まれた状態にあり、 第2のプログラムモードにあるときは拡張状態にあり、 金属チューブから一体的に切り取られた構造を有し、 保持アーチは各位置決めアーチと関連し、 内部人工器官の遠位末端にある各位置決めアーチの各端部は、関連する保持アーチの端部に接続されていることを特徴とする請求項1~ 22 のいずれか1つに記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 24各位置決めアーチは、金属チューブの材料部分から切り取られたものであり、関連する保持アーチの実質的にU字形またはV字形の構造に収容されていることを特徴とする請求項 23 に記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 25各位置決めアーチの端部は、実質的に内部人工器官の長手方向に延びる接続羽板によって、関連する保持アーチの端部にそれぞれ接続されていることを特徴とする請求項 23 または 24 に記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 26一方では、保持手段は、2つの隣接する位置決めアーチと、隣接する位置決めアーチの各アームとの間にそれぞれ配置された固定アイを有し、 他方では、隣接する位置決めアーチと関連する保持アーチの各アームは、固定アイに接続されていることを特徴とする請求項1~ 25 のいずれか1つに記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 27隣接する位置決めアーチの各アームは直接的に、 隣接する位置決めアーチと関連する保持アーチの各アームは間接的に、 実質的に内部人工器官の長手方向に延びる接続羽板によって、固定アイに接続されていることを特徴とする請求項 26 に記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 28隣接する位置決めアーチの各アームは、実質的に内部人工器官の長手方向に延びる接続羽板によって、間接的に固定アイに接続されており、 隣接する位置決めアーチと関連する保持アーチの各アームは、実質的に内部人工器官の長手方向に延びる接続羽板によって、間接的に固定アイに接続されており、 保持アーチの接続羽板は、位置決めアーチの端部において、位置決めアーチの接続羽板と1つになっていることを特徴とする請求項 26 に記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 29隣接する位置決めアーチの各アームは、実質的にステントの長手方向に延びる第1の接続羽板によって、間接的に保持ヘッドに接続されており、 隣接する位置決めアーチと関連する保持アーチの各アームは、実質的にステントの長手方向に延びる第2の接続羽板によって、間接的に保持ヘッドに接続されており、 第2の接続羽板は、位置決めアーチの端部において、第1の接続羽板と1つになっていることを特徴とする請求項 26 に記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 30保持アーチの各アームは、それぞれアーチ形状の固定支持部を有し、 固定支持部は、内部人工器官が拡張状態にあるときに、保持アーチの関連するアームから突き出て、 固定支持部の先端は、内部人工器官の遠位末端側を向くことを特徴とする請求項 1 ~ 29 のいずれか1つに記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 31固定支持部は、実質的にU字形またはV字形の構造を有し、 その構造は、内部人工器官の遠位末端において閉じており、 固定支持部の末端領域は、固定支持部の先端を形成し、 固定支持部の近位端にある固定支持部の各アームは、2つの隣接する保持アーチの各アームに接続していることを特徴とする請求項 30 に記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 32各保持アーチに、保持アーチの長手方向に延びる溝が設けられ、 溝は、内部人工器官の第2のプログラムモードに影響を及ぼすように設計されていることを特徴とする請求項 1 ~ 31 のいずれか1つに記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 33各保持アーチは、保持アーチの長手方向に延びる溝を分断する補強部を有することを特徴とする請求項 32 に記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 34最小化した立体配置において、約5.0mmの外径と、33.0mm~40.0mmの長さを有することを特徴とする請求項1~ 33 のいずれか1つに記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 35長さは、34.0mm~39.0mmの範囲であることを特徴とする請求項 34 に記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 36長さは、34.37mm~38.37mmの範囲であることを特徴とする請求項 35 に記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 37拡張した第2のプログラムモードにある場合に、内部人工器官の近位保持領域に向かって次第に細くなる、わずかに凹んだ形状を有することを特徴とする請求項1~ 36 のいずれか1つに記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 38拡張した第2のプログラムモードにある場合に、内部人工器官の遠位保持領域は、内部人工器官の近位保持領域の直径よりも、約10%~25%大きい直径を有することを特徴とする請求項 37 に記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 39拡張した第2のプログラムモードにある場合に、内部人工器官の近位保持領域は、22mm~33mmの範囲の直径を有することを特徴とする請求項 37 または 38 に記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 40内部人工器官が拡張した第2のプログラムモードにある場合に、内部人工器官の近位端は、25mm~31mmの範囲の直径を有することを特徴とする請求項 39 に記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 41保持アーチに取り付けられた心臓代用弁をさらに含むことを特徴とする請求項 1 ~ 40 のいずれか1つに記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 42心臓代用弁は、生体心臓代用弁であることを特徴とする請求項 41 に記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 43生体心臓代用弁は、ブタまたはウシの組織から作られたものであることを特徴とする請求項 42 に記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 44心臓代用弁は、保持アーチに縫い合わされていることを特徴とする請求項 41 ~ 43 のいずれか1つに記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 45形状記憶材料から作られたものであることを特徴とする請求項1~ 44 のいずれか1つに記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 46外部刺激によって、最小化した立体配置から拡張した立体配置へと自己拡張することを特徴とする請求項 45 に記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 47外部刺激は、設定可能な、またはあらかじめ設定されたスイッチング温度であることを特徴とする請求項 46 に記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 48スイッチング温度は、室温と患者の体温の範囲内にあることを特徴とする請求項 47 に記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 49スイッチング温度は、約22°Cであることを特徴とする請求項 48 に記載の自己拡張型の内部人工器官。
- 50カテーテル機構の近位端に配置できるカテーテル先端であって、 請求項1~ 49 のいずれか1つに記載の内部人工器官が収容でき、 前記カテーテル先端は、少なくとも内部人工器官の遠位末端を、カテーテル先端において、解除可能なように固定するための保持機構を有することを特徴とするカテーテル先端。
- 51保持機構は、内部人工器官の保持手段と連携するように成形されていることを特徴とする請求項 50 に記載のカテーテル先端。
- 52保持機構は、少なくとも1つのポケットを備えた冠部を有し、 少なくとも1つのポケットは、内部人工器官の保持手段を補完する形状を有することを特徴とする請求項 50 または 51 に記載のカテーテル先端。
- 53少なくとも1つのポケットは、内部人工器官の保持手段を、カテーテル先端に対して能動的に固定する形状を有することを特徴とする請求項 52 に記載のカテーテル先端。
- 54冠部が円筒形状であることを特徴とする請求項 50 ~ 53 のいずれか1つに記載のカテーテル先端。
- 55少なくとも1つのポケットは、内部人工器官の保持手段を完全に収容する形状を有することを特徴とする請求項 50 ~ 54 のいずれか1つに記載のカテーテル先端。
- 56保持機構は、内部人工器官の保持手段を解除可能に固定するためのスナップ式手段を含むことを特徴とする請求項 50 ~ 55 のいずれか1つに記載のカテーテル先端。
- 57スナップ式手段は、冠部に形成された少なくとも1つのポケットの外縁上または外縁近傍に配置されたフランジを含み、 前記フランジは、内部人工器官の末端領域に設けられた保持手段を、少なくとも1つのポケット中で 保持する ように調整されていることを特徴とする請求項 56 に記載のカテーテル先端。
- 58固定機構の冠部は、冠部に形成された少なくとも1つの溝をさらに含み、 前記少なくとも1つの溝は、少なくとも1つのポケットに割り当てられており、前記ポケットから冠部の一端へと、実質的に冠部の長手方向に延び、 前記少なくとも1つの溝は、内部人工器官の接続羽板を収容するのに適した形状を有し、 内部人工器官の前記接続羽板は、実質的に内部人工器官の方向に延び、内部人工器官の末端領域上に設けられた保持手段と内部人工器官の各アームとを接続することを特徴とする請求項 50 ~ 57 のいずれか1つに記載のカテーテル先端。
- 59内部人工器官の末端領域上に設けられた保持手段と内部人工器官の各アームとを接続する内部人工器官の接続羽板を、解除可能なように固定するために、固定機構の冠部に形成された少なくとも1つの溝上に配置された、スナップ式手段をさらに含むことを特徴とする請求項 58 に記載のカテーテル先端。
- 60前記スナップ式手段は、固定機構の冠部に形成された少なくとも1つの溝の外縁上または外縁近傍に配置されたフランジを含み、 前記フランジは、内部人工器官の接続羽板を、少なくとも1つの 溝の 中で 保持する ように調整されていることを特徴とする請求項 59 に記載のカテーテル先端。
- 61心臓弁の疾患、特に患者の心臓弁の機能不全または心臓弁の狭窄の治療に使用されるカテーテル機構であって、 請求項 50 ~ 60 のいずれか1つに記載されたカテーテル先端を含み、 カテーテル機構のカテーテル先端に収容される、請求項1~ 48 のいずれか1つに記載された自己拡張型の内部人工器官をさらに含み、 内部人工器官がカテーテル機構のカテーテル先端に収容されたときには、内部人工器官は第1のプログラムモードをとり、 内部人工器官がカテーテル先端の外部にあるときおよび埋め込まれた状態にあるときには、内部人工器官は第2のプログラムモードをとり、 内部人工器官は、第1のプログラムモードにあるときは折り畳まれた状態にあり、第2のプログラムモードにあるときは拡張状態にあることを特徴とするカテーテル機構。
- 62カテーテル機構の遠位末端においてハンドルをさらに含み、ハンドルを用いてカテーテル先端は操作可能であり、 前記ハンドルは、操作手段を含み、 操作手段がカテーテル先端と連携することにより、操作手段が操作される場合に、プログラムされた順序にしたがって段階的に、内部人工器官をカテーテル先端から放出することができることを特徴とする請求項 61 に記載のカテーテル機構。
- 63カテーテル先端は、内部人工器官を収容するためのハウジングシステムをさらに含み、 前記ハウジングシステムは、内部人工器官の第1の機能部品を収容するための第1の筐体部と、 内部人工器官の第2の機能部品を収容するための第2の筐体部とを含み、 ハンドルは、第1の筐体部と連携する少なくとも1つの第1の操作手段と、第2の筐体部と連携する少なくとも1つの第2の操作手段とを有し、 前記第1の操作手段は、第1の操作手段が操作される場合に、第1の筐体部が固定機構に対するプログラムされた長手方向の移動をもたらすように第1の筐体部と連携し、 前記第2の操作手段は、第2の操作手段が操作される場合に、第2の筐体部が固定機構に対するプログラムされた長手方向の移動をもたらすように第2の筐体部と連携することを特徴とする請求項 62 に記載のカテーテル機構。
- 64第1の筐体部と第2の筐体部のいずれもがそれぞれスリーブ状の部位として設計されており、 第2の筐体部は、内部人工器官の第2の機能部品に加えて、内部人工器官に収容された第1の機能部品を備えた第1の筐体部を収容するように設計するために、 第2の筐体部の内径が、第1の筐体部の外径よりも大きいことを特徴とする請求項 63 に記載のカテーテル機構。
Independent claims64
208 paragraphs, as filed
The present invention relates to medical devices for treating heart valve dysfunction or stenosis. The endoprosthesis contained in this medical device can be introduced into the patient's body with minimal invasion and is mechanically expandable to replace the heart in the patient's aorta. Adjust and fix the valve position.
The expression "heart valve stenosis and / or heart valve dysfunction" is intended to include functional defects in one or more heart valves. The functional defect is genetic or manifests over time due to age or illness. Defects in this type of heart valve can adversely affect each of the four coronary venous valves, while the left ventricular valves (aortic and mitral valves) are the right valves of the heart (pulmonary valve and tricuspid). Affected much more often than valves). Functional defects can result in stenosis (stenosis), inability to close (dysfunction), or a combination of the two (combined defects).
The operating principles of medical devices for treating heart valve dysfunction or stenosis are already widely known in the field of medical technology. Models of biological or mechanical valves are currently available as a means of replacing human heart valves. The replacement valve is sewn to the base of the heart valve that is usually born after removing the diseased valve. The surgery requires the chest to be opened to initiate a therapeutic intervention, but the patient's blood circulation must be assisted by a heart-lung machine and the heart must be stopped while the heart substitute valve is implanted. This is a dangerous surgical intervention that puts the patient in a fairly dangerous condition and involves long-term treatment after surgery. In particular, patients with multiple illnesses have little justification for the risk of performing such therapeutic interventions.
More recently, less invasive treatment methods have been developed, which are characteristic in that therapeutic interventions can be performed using local anesthetics. The availability of this option presupposes the use of a self-expanding stent with a foldable cardiac substitute valve. The self-expandable stent is implanted in the human body by an appropriate catheter mechanism. This type of self-expanding artificial heart valve can be introduced using a catheter mechanism through the aorta or vein to the implantation site of the heart. Upon arriving at the implantation site, internal prostheses such as stents continue to deploy. When deployed, the prosthetic heart valve can be anchored in the blood vessel, for example with the help of a fixation hook. The actual cardiac substitute valve is placed directly in the proximal region of the stent or internal prosthesis.
The German Patent Application Publication No. 10010074 (A1) discloses a device for fixing and anchoring a heart valve prostheses. Artificial heart valves essentially include molded wire elements connected to each other. A separate arch is used to securely secure and anchor the heart substitute valve. To this end, the devices described herein have a set of identical arches, each spaced 120 ° apart. The arches are connected to each other by a fixed body tube that acts as a pivot bearing. Arches curved in opposite directions are also provided, and by forming lever arms of the same length as possible, the arch can be reliably held in place even when the heart or blood vessels perform peristaltic movements. The implanted and fixed heart substitute valve can be reliably closed.
Even with known solutions, there is still the risk of inaccurate heart valve implantation. In particular, the heart substitute valve must be accurately installed and oriented longitudinally. This involves placing a stent with a heart valve at its proximal end sufficiently accurately in the vicinity of the patient's diseased heart valve to ensure lateral and longitudinal positioning of the heart valve. Very high skill is required for the surgeon who performs the treatment.
In particular, inaccurate or improper implantation or positioning of the heart valve can lead to inadequate blockage of the heart valve or dysfunction of the heart valve, putting considerable stress on the ventricles. It will be. For example, if the heart valve is implanted too far above the surface of the actual heart valve, it can lead to myocardial infarction by reducing the drainage of blood from the coronary vessels, or even blocking or even blocking it. It results in fatal coronary ischemia. Therefore, it is imperative that the accuracy of both lateral and longitudinal positioning of the cardiac substitute valve be met.
For conventional, less invasive implantation techniques, a self-expanding artificial heart valve is introduced through the patient's aorta into the heart or at the implantation site within the heart. This artificial heart valve is usually introduced with the help of a catheter, using a guide wire. In this case, a balloon catheter was used to bring the heart valve (native heart). It is the usual practice to allow the insertion of a catheter by expanding and opening the valves). It is possible to monitor and control the induction process during such interventions, for example with the help of an X-ray system (cardiac catheterization laboratory: HCL) or ultrasound (transesophageal echocardiography: TEE). Is. However, cardiac substitute valves are still relatively bulky, even though they are minimized upon introduction. Although it is often impossible to obtain the required positioning accuracy, it operates the cardiac substitute valve, and in particular performs longitudinal positioning accurately, using a fixed element attached to the cardiac substitute valve. This is because there is a limit to the ability to embed. When there is a risk of the coronary vessels closing, implanting a cardiac substitute valve at an angle from the optimal implantation site poses a special risk to the patient.
When designing a heart valve, there must be an allowance created, especially for the forces of consideration that act on the prosthetic heart valve, including during the full period of the cardiac cycle (diastole). It doesn't become. Secure fixation is required to prevent the implanted heart substitute valve from dislodging or moving in either direction.
Therefore, on the one hand, it must be possible to ensure optimal positioning accuracy by operating the cardiac substitute valve as efficiently as possible in the vessel during the implantation process. On the other hand, the implanted cardiac substitute valve must be firmly and effectively fixed to the implantation site to prevent the prosthesis from subsequently moving.
Known devices used when implanting a prosthetic heart valve through a blood vessel are often not suitable for easy implantation of a heart valve, due to the lack of required positioning accuracy. Moreover, at this point, all that is possible, if at all possible, is to reposition the cardiac substitute valve, which has already been implanted to some extent but has been misplaced. ..
These problems can be overcome by using the medical device of the present invention. The medical device of the present invention has an integral structure characterized by being able to be accurately positioned and securely fixed by being cut out of a metal tube.
<p><patcit num="1"><text>German Patent Application Publication No. 10010074 (A1)</text></patcit></p>
A first embodiment of the present invention provides a self-expanding internal prosthesis for treating heart valve dysfunction. The internal artificial organ has at least one holding means for performing an operation of attaching and detaching the internal artificial organ to a predetermined position in the patient's body.
In one particular aspect of the first embodiment, the self-expanding internal prosthesis comprises a plurality of positioning arches for accurately positioning the internal prosthesis in the patient's body and an artificial heart. It has an anchoring segment with retaining arches for mounting the valve. The positioning arch and the holding arch have a coordinated shape and work together to allow the internal prosthesis to be placed between the positioning arch and the holding arch in the desired position within the patient's body. It sandwiches a piece of heart valve tissue that is still remaining (incumbent).
The present invention belongs to a medical device having a self-expanding internal prosthesis (hereinafter simply referred to as a stent). The stent contains a fixation that supports the valve to attach the heart substitute valve. By taking the minimized configuration of the stent in the first program mode, the stent can be introduced into the heart using a catheter. By being "programmed" to respond to a stimulus, the stent can be expanded into a second programming mode with an open or expanded configuration.
The unique design of this stent is due to the fact that the stent has at least three positioning arches that project radially outward from the surface of the stent. When this internal prosthesis is in the second pre-definable mode, the positioning arch takes an open position, and when it is in place in the body, the positioning arch is in the pocket of the heart valve that was born with it. To position. Therefore, the exact positioning of the stent depends on the positioning of the positioning arch in the valve pockets, and the surgeon must be able to perceive that positioning.
In a preferred embodiment, the stent is opened in a gradual manner so that the positioning arch is first opened and expanded. The positioning arch may then be used as an exploration to identify the remaining heart valve pockets. Once the pocket has been identified by exploration, the stent is designed and shaped to ensure that the positioning arch located in the pocket ensures accurate positioning of the stent. After the positioning arch is installed, the fixation section containing the holding arch on which the prosthesis rests is opened.
In conjunction with the fixation, the positioning arch is medically used, on the one hand with respect to axial rotation and on the other with respect to horizontal position, by engaging with the tissue pieces of the originally born (old) heart valve that need to be replaced. The device is mechanically fixed and positioned. Therefore, the radial force exerted by the design and functional characteristics of the stent, as well as the clipping action by a method similar to a paper clip, in which a piece of heart tissue is pinched by a positioning arch from one side and a fixation from the other side. Both secure the stent. The resulting piece of heart valve tissue acts as a seal, substantially minimizing unwanted blood leakage around the stent. Although the device is referred to herein as a stent, it may be considered or may be referred to as a valve clip within the framework of fixing the replacement valve.
The clipping action is provided by two surfaces, the positioning arch and the holding arch, which are efficiently pressed in each direction by the elastic force of the material that is the raw material of the internal prosthesis. When the internal prosthesis is first implanted, the positioning arch is opened while the fixation is held in the catheter, so the positioning arch and holding arch are separated, but a restoring force acts in the opposite (medial) direction. Brings the positioning arches back to their programmed positions and presses against each other. Usually their restoring force is proportional to the distance between the arches. When the stent is completely released, the remaining valvular tissue pieces are placed between the two sets of arches, and the restoring force exerts an inward compressive force on the valvular tissue pieces to act between the two arches. A piece of valve tissue placed in is pinched or tightened. When programming the shape of this internal prosthesis, the radial angle between the positioning arch and the retention arch is when the force applied to the valve tissue piece and the frictional force generated between the valve tissue pieces are completely embedded. It can be set to be sufficient to fix the internal prosthesis in the desired position.
Of course, the device of the invention may be used to replace a naturally born heart valve, but the device may be used to replace a weakened biological prosthesis. Since the device of the present invention sandwiches a piece of valve tissue that is already in place, the device can be inserted inside an existing stent without modifying or removing the existing stent.
The internal prosthesis (stent) of this medical device has a continuous structure cut from a single metal tube, with one positioning arch and a fixed portion with the other holding arch integrated. Internal artificial organs can be manufactured in large quantities at extremely low cost. In particular, by cutting the stent structure from a single metal tube using a laser and then treating the stent structure with an appropriate molding and heat treatment process, the internal prosthesis is expanded from the minimized state at the time of implantation to the implantation site. It is conceivable to be able to transition to the state. This molding and heat treatment process is conveniently manipulated in a series of steps to prevent damage to the stent structure.
Because the internal prosthesis of this medical device has a continuous structure cut from a single metal tube, each retaining arch is associated with a positioning arch and is the end of the positioning arch provided at the distal end of the internal prosthesis. Are all connected to the end of the associated retention arch. Therefore, the internal prosthesis can have a very simple structure, as it is not necessary to have a fixed torso tube or similar connecting device. In other words, the internal prosthesis of the medical device presented by the present invention provides positioning function on the one hand with a positioning arch that expands minimally in the longitudinal direction, and on the other hand holds the cardiac substitute valve with a retaining arch. A stent or clip that provides the function of
As will be described later, when the internal prosthesis is transitioned from the first program mode to the second program mode by widening the cross section of the entire stent, one holding arch and the other positioning arch are radial. open. The second program mode of the internal prosthesis wears the medical device by pressing the vascular wall inside the aorta and actively connecting to the vascular wall as the retention and positioning arches open. It is selected to be convenient for firm fixation to the floor site.
Since the structure of the internal prosthesis is significantly shorter than that of the medical device, the medical device is very easy to operate in the minimized state of the internal prosthesis. This is especially suitable when the implantation route to the heart is via the aortic arch. The length of the medical device can be minimized by connecting all ends of the positioning arch at the distal end to the ends of the associated retention arch, both the positioning arch and the retention arch. Extends to the proximal holding area of the medical device or internal prosthesis. Therefore, the fixation site to which the cardiac substitute valve is attached is located in the proximal holding region of this internal prosthesis.
Expandable internal prostheses made from materials such as stainless steel 316L, an alloy of cobalt and chromium, or nitinol have a stent that is fluoroscopic because it does not have a predetermined level of x-ray opaque image. It may not be fully visible by (fluoroscopy) or X-ray. However, it is important for cardiologists or physicians to visualize the location of the internal prosthesis or catheter during implantation by using a fluoroscope or similar radiation device. Similarly, it is important to monitor the location of the implanted internal prosthesis in subsequent examinations. Thus, the internal prosthesis of the invention can be easily and accurately placed, but in another embodiment the insertion system during and after implantation by being marked against the internal prosthesis or insertion system. And / or the X-ray opaque image and visualization of the internal prosthesis may be improved.
In certain embodiments, coating processes such as metal sputtering, plating, or co-drawing are utilized to add regions or layers of material in the X-ray opaque image to the internal prosthesis. Be done. Alternatively, an X-ray opaque marker can be attached to a part of the structure of this internal prosthesis. In this way, a substance with a higher X-ray opaque image than the stent structure itself can be used as a marker. For example, markers may be strategically placed along the body of the internal prosthesis to increase the visualization properties of the stent. The X-ray opaque marker preferably comprises gold, tantalum, or platinum. In another embodiment, an alloy of nickel and titanium containing a third element may be used. Such a third element is a metal with a high level of X-ray opacity. For example, the third element may be selected from the group consisting of iridium, platinum, gold, rhenium, tungsten, radium, rhodium, tantalum, silver, ruthenium, and hafnium. Such markers should be placed on the positioning arch.
Advantageous and preferred embodiments of the medical device are set out in the Dependent Section.
In certain embodiments, all positioning arches and associated retention arches have a substantially U-shaped or V-shaped structure with the proximal end side of the internal prosthesis closed.
In a preferred embodiment of the fixation region or fixation, the fixation is considered to be a substantially U-shaped or V-shaped structure that is closed at the distal end of the internal prosthesis. In this case, the terminal region of the fixation portion forms the tip of the fixation portion, and each arm of the fixation portion is connected to each arm of two adjacent holding arches at the proximal end of the fixation portion.
Alternatively, in other embodiments, each arm of the retention arch has continuous slots or slots extending in the longitudinal direction of the retention arch. The reason for forming such a feature is to enable and assist the expansion of the internal prosthesis from the minimized state to the dilated state. This is because the suitable design of those grooves or slots can significantly facilitate the expansion of the cross section of the stent (internal prosthesis), while at the same time reducing the length of the stent. .. Such grooves or slots also have the additional advantage of saving raw materials.
In the latter embodiment, it is conceivable that each holding arch is further provided with a reinforcing portion, which divides a groove extending in the longitudinal direction of the holding arch. These reinforcements prevent parts of the retaining arch from substantially projecting outward from the circular ferential plane of the internal prosthesis when the internal prosthesis is in an expanded state.
Each positioning arch is cut from a piece of material from the raw material of the metal tube, which is shaped according to the substantially U-shaped or V-shaped structure of the associated holding arch. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment of the present stent structure, each retaining arch of the retainer forms a proximal fixation region of the internal prosthesis. Similarly, each positioning arch has a symmetrical structure with each retention arch, but is located slightly in front of the distal retention region of the medical device. Each distal end of the positioning arch is connected to each distal end of a coordinated retention arch in the distal retention region of the internal prosthesis. When the internal prosthesis is in the dilated state, not only does the proximal fixation area equipped with the cardiac substitute valve open, but also the positioning arch located between the proximal fixation area and the distal retention area of the medical device. The junction between each positioning arch and retention arch also opens at the distal end of the medical device. This provides a radial acting force that is applied to the vessel wall via the distal holding region of the medical device, further assisting in the fixation of the medical device at the implantation site. ..
By molding the proximal end of the positioning arch to minimize damage to the base of the valve pocket, each arch can be located at the base of the valve pocket without puncturing or damaging the pocket. desirable. Therefore, in some embodiments, the proximal end of the positioning arch is curved. In another embodiment, the proximal end of the positioning arch is blunt, eg flat or spade shaped. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the positioning arch may also have a shape that allows the arch to penetrate the base of the valve pocket. Although it interferes with the recovery and removal of the implanted internal prosthesis, for example, a pointed or barbed shape allows the base of the valve pocket to penetrate. However, it should be noted that, although such a design makes it easier to secure, once the valve pocket is punctured, the internal prosthesis should be removed or repositioned. Is usually not possible.
In yet another embodiment, shortening the length of one (or more) positioning arches causes the resulting valve to calcify and later reduces the depth of the valve pocket. You may consider that it will be stored. Thus, such features allow the internal prosthesis to be accurately positioned and implanted, even if, for example, one or more of the valve pockets are clogged with calcified material. In this example, shortening one of the positioning arches can prevent the ends of the positioning arch from becoming dirty due to calcification.
When the internal prosthesis takes a second program mode, the medical device takes a radial opening (expansion) of the distal retention and proximal fixation regions, similar to the positioning arch. Therefore, the length of the medical device in the expanded state is shorter than that in the minimized state. Basically, rather than connecting each distal end of the positioning arch directly to the distal end of the associated retention arch, to allow the length of the medical device to be preset in the expanded state. It is conceivable to connect using a connecting web that extends in the longitudinal direction of the internal artificial organ. Therefore, the length of the medical device in the expanded state can be adjusted by appropriately selecting the length of the connecting wing plate. However, the positioning arch and the retention arch, respectively, when the internal prosthesis is in the first (minimized) state, especially in terms of ensuring high manoeuvrability of the medical device in the implantation process. It is desirable that the connecting wing plate between the ends be selected to be as short as possible.
A second embodiment of the present invention provides a catheter tip. The catheter tip is located at the proximal end of the catheter mechanism and houses the internal prosthesis of the invention. The catheter tip has a holding mechanism that releasably secures at least the distal end of the internal prosthesis at the catheter tip.
In a particular aspect of the second embodiment, the catheter tip has a holding mechanism shaped to work with a holding means on the internal prosthesis. In another particular embodiment of the second embodiment, the catheter tip comprises a retaining mechanism having a crown with at least one pocket. Its at least one pocket has a complementary shape to the shape of the retaining means of the internal prosthesis.
In a particularly preferred embodiment of the medical device, the internal prosthesis has a retaining means at the distal end. The holding means can be engaged with an introductory catheter mechanism, particularly a corresponding holding means located on the tip of the catheter or on the cartridge. In some embodiments of the retaining means, the retaining means is an anchoring located between two adjacent positioning arches. It may be in the form of eye). In that case, on the one hand, the arm of the adjacent positioning arch is connected to the fixed eye, and on the other hand, the arm of the retention arch associated with the adjacent positioning arch is connected to the fixed eye. Similarly, the arms of the adjacent positioning arch directly and each arm of the retention arch associated with the adjacent positioning arch indirectly through a connecting wing plate that extends substantially longitudinally of the internal prosthesis. It is possible that they are connected. In general, the purpose of the retaining means provided at the distal end of the internal prosthesis is to equip the induction catheter mechanism with an appropriate mechanism, which complements the mechanism of the retaining means of the internal prosthesis. The engagement between one catheter mechanism and the retaining means on the distal end of the other internal prosthesis can be disengaged by an external manipulation to release the medical device at the implantation site. This ensures that the medical device expands and is firmly seated. Of course, the holding means may be of any suitable shape or configuration, such as a clasp (eye), a loop, a finger structure, or a non-perforated tip.
By using such a holding means, it is possible to keep the stent in contact with the catheter before the stent is completely released. By maintaining contact with the stent prior to complete release, the placement and implantation position of the stent can be more precisely controlled by the physician. It may also be checked if the stent and cardiac substitute valve are functioning properly, and if one or both are not functioning properly, the retention means will remain in contact with the catheter and the doctor will withdraw the stent. Can be removed.
Stent problems or complications may occur after implantation. For example, failure to properly position the stent, misalignment, disengagement, or damage to the stent after deployment can lead to valve leakage and other problems. In those cases, it is desirable to remove the stent. Removal of the stent can be done within 4 weeks of implantation before the stent is integrated with the implantation site by overgrowth or overgrowth of the stent. Therefore, in another embodiment, it is desirable that the retaining means have a shape or configuration that can play a role in the means that allows the removal of the stent. The retaining means can be grabbed, engaged, or interacted with by a portion of the means so that the stent can enter, for example, the catheter while the stent is in the first compressed state, and the stent It is desirable to be able to withdraw from the body with minimal or no tissue damage.
On the other hand, as an alternative to the medical device embodiment described above, each arm of the adjacent positioning arch indirectly serves as a holding means via a connecting wing plate that extends substantially in the longitudinal direction of the internal prosthesis. It is also possible to be connected. In that case, each arm of the retaining arch associated with the adjacent positioning arch is jointly connected to the retaining means via a longitudinal connecting wing plate of the internal prosthesis. The connecting wing plate of the holding arch is integrated with the connecting wing plate of the positioning arch at the end of the positioning arch. Providing each connecting wing plate to connect the arm of the positioning arch to the holding means and to connect the arm of the holding arch to the end of the positioning arch is the length of the internal prosthesis according to each patient's request. It provides a very simple but very effective way to adjust the arch. In addition, the length of each connecting blade plate can be appropriately selected, which is actually an effective method.
In another embodiment of the solution presented by the present invention, the retaining means may include at least one barb or hook. These tips point toward the proximal end of the internal prosthesis. This allows the distal retention area of the internal prosthesis to remain particularly reliably in the expanded state at the implantation position. Therefore, in this preferred embodiment, the internal prosthesis is placed at the implantation site due to the radial force acting on the vessel wall by the distal holding region of the internal prosthesis, especially the internal prosthesis, as well as the barb trapped inside the vessel wall. It is fixed. Of course, other suitable design methods can be used for the barb or hook.
Another possible way to secure the internal prosthesis at the implantation site, in place of or in addition to the barbs or hooks, is for each arm of the retention arch of the internal prosthesis. It is to provide a fixed support part of the shape. The bow protrudes from the associated arm of the retention arch when the internal prosthesis is in the dilated state. The tip of the bow points toward the distal end of the internal prosthesis. According to this embodiment, further fixing means can be provided for the internal artificial organ, and by further fixing the medical device, it is possible to prevent the medical device from being displaced after implantation.
As mentioned above, one major feature of the present invention is that the internal prosthesis is provided with retaining means at the distal end. The holding means can transition to an engaged state with a holding mechanism at the tip of the induction catheter or insertion system. In certain embodiments, the retaining means are in the form of fixing eyes.
In another embodiment, the retaining means comprises at least one retaining element located in the distal region of the stent. At least one retaining element is designed to be transitionable to an engagement with the retaining mechanism of the insertion system, such as the tip of a catheter. It is desirable that at least one retaining element engages with a pocket or recess formed in the crown of the retaining mechanism of the insertion system. It is most desirable that at least one retaining element of the stent has a retaining head. Holding head, the least formed on the crown portion of the insertion system is designed to be complementary to one pocket or recess. As a result, the holding head is configured to coordinate with the holding mechanism of the insertion system by an improved release engagement.
In this embodiment, the risk of the catheter tip holding mechanism becoming clogged or clogged in the terminal region of the internal prosthesis is reduced. This is possible because neither the catheter tip holding mechanism nor the internal organ holding means has a portion that protrudes from the crown of the holding mechanism when the internal organ is fixed to the catheter tip. Is. As a result, it is necessary to disengage the catheter mechanism from the terminal region of the internal prosthesis by vibrating or moving the catheter tip to the minimum necessary.
In general, the retaining means provided at the distal end of the internal prosthesis or stent needs to be accommodated by an appropriate mechanism in the induction catheter mechanism. Those mechanisms need to have a design that complements the stent holding means. The engagement between the holding mechanism at the tip of one catheter and the holding means at the distal end of the other stent is disengaged by a method called external manipulation so that the stent can be released at the implantation site and the stent can be expanded. To do. Thereby, the heart substitute valve can be securely fixed. Of course, other solutions can be taken into account for the retention means. For example, the holding means may have different shapes and / or contours, may be convex or concave, and may form a spoon or cup shape. Such formation of the retaining means allows the retaining means to be held in place without affecting lateral movement, for example, when the stent expands radially during the final release phase. Alternatively, the holding means may have a ball socket three-dimensional arrangement at the tip of the catheter in cooperation with the holding mechanism.
In a preferred embodiment of the holding means, it is conceivable that the holding means is provided in the form of a holding head. The holding head is located between two adjacent positioning arches. In this embodiment, each arm of one adjacent positioning arch and each arm of the other holding arch associated with the adjacent positioning arch are connected to the holding head. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the use of such fixation means is not limited to the disclosed stent designs. Such retaining means can also be used with other stent designs. Those designs require ensuring that the stent is released from an implantable means such as a catheter.
It is important that the stent with the cardiac substitute valve can be easily released from the catheter tip of the catheter mechanism as soon as the cardiac substitute valve is optimally positioned. The mechanisms described above have been found to be of great help in this operation.
A third embodiment of the invention provides a catheter mechanism used to treat a patient's heart valve defects, particularly heart valve dysfunction or heart valve stenosis. According to the second feature, the catheter mechanism includes a catheter tip, and according to the first feature, further includes a self-expandable internal prosthesis, but the self-expandable internal prosthesis is housed in the catheter tip of the catheter mechanism. Has been done. Further, when the internal prosthesis is housed in the catheter tip of the catheter tip catheter mechanism, the internal prosthesis is in the first program mode, and the internal prosthesis is outside the catheter tip and is embedded. Now, the internal prosthesis is in the second program mode. In the first program mode, the internal prosthesis is in the folded state, and in the second program mode, it is in the expanded state.
Conventional catheter mechanisms for inserting self-expanding heart valve stents usually include a catheter tip with a retention mechanism. The retention mechanism is suitable for anchoring the distal region of the stent at the tip of the catheter so that it can be released. The catheter tip usually has a crown with multiple protruding elements. The protruding element of the crown is designed to complement the retaining eyes provided in the distal region of the stent. In this regard, the retention mechanism located at the catheter tip of the conventional catheter mechanism cooperates with the distal region of the stent by disengagement engagement. The engagement between the holding mechanism of the catheter mechanism and the holding means in the distal region of the stent is usually disengaged by external manipulation. Therefore, a stent with a cardiac substitute valve attached to the stent can be released from the catheter at the implantation site.
However, the use of retaining eyes leaves the risk that the engagement between the catheter mechanism and the distal region of the stent can only be disengaged by the action of the stent. In particular, the retaining eye provided in the distal region of the stent can be pushed into a protruding element protruding from the crown of the catheter tip retaining mechanism. As a result, vibrating and / or moving the catheter tip may be required to disengage the catheter mechanism from the distal region of the stent. Such exercise can cause the stent to move from the desired position and can also damage the prosthesis.
Therefore, there is still the risk of inaccurate implantation of the artificial heart valve. The cardiac substitute valve must be placed accurately and oriented longitudinally, which requires a very high degree of skill on the part of the treating surgeon. On the one hand, the stent must be placed accurately, and on the other hand, the stent is released sufficiently accurately from the tip of the catheter near the patient's existing heart valve so that the lateral positioning accuracy of the heart substitute valve is accurate. Both the properties and the accuracy of the longitudinal positioning accuracy must be ensured. In particular, inaccurate implantation and / or suboptimal positioning of the heart valve can lead to inadequate sealing or dysfunction of the heart valve, which puts considerable stress on the ventricles. For example, if the heart valve is implanted too high above the surface of the actual heart valve, the outlet of the coronary vessels will close, leading to fatal coronary ischemia due to myocardial infarction. Under these circumstances, it is essential that both the accuracy of lateral positioning and the accuracy of longitudinal positioning of the cardiac substitute valve meet these strict conditions.
When the retention head described above is used, the catheter tip of the insertion system ideally includes a retention mechanism for releasably fixing at least the distal region of the stent at the catheter tip. The holding mechanism has a crown with at least one pocket or recess formed in the crown. It is desirable that at least one pocket or recess be designed to complement the shape of the retaining means provided in the distal region of the stent. Therefore, the retention mechanism is configured to work with the distal region of the stent by disengagement engagement. In particular, this solution can reduce the risk of the catheter tip holding mechanism being pushed in or blocked by the distal region of the stent. This is possible because the holding mechanism of the catheter insertion system does not have a portion that pops out or protrudes from the crown of the holding mechanism. As a result, it is considered unnecessary to disengage the catheter mechanism from the distal region of the stent by shaking or moving the catheter tip.
In certain embodiments, at least one pocket or recess formed in the crown of the retaining mechanism accommodates the retaining means provided in the distal region of the stent having a positive locking. Has a suitable shape. This results in a disengaged engagement between the distal region of the stent and the tip of the catheter. At least one pocket or recess may be integrally formed at the crown of the catheter tip holding mechanism. It is desirable that at least one pocket or recess be formed as a casting or inverse image of the retaining means of the stent, even if the retaining means includes, for example, a barb or hook formed on the retaining head.
The crown of the retaining mechanism is usually cylindrical, and at least one pocket or recess formed in the crown has no portion protruding from the surface of the cylindrical crown in the distal region of the stent. It is desirable to have a shape configured to fully accommodate the retaining means provided in the distal region of the stent. Therefore, this preferred embodiment leads to a very small size of the catheter tip holding mechanism. The holding mechanism has the surprising advantage of being able to reduce the diameter of the catheter tip.
In certain embodiments, the catheter tip further comprises snap-on means located on at least one pocket or recess formed in the crown. The snap-on means is for releasably fixing the holding means in at least one pocket or recess. The snap means preferably includes a protruding rim or flange located on or near the outer edge of at least one pocket or recess formed in the crown. The protruding rim or flange may be adjusted to hold the stent-holding means in at least one pocket or recess. Such snap-type means, for example, in the form of a clip mechanism, serve to temporarily secure the stent-holding means when the catheter tip is attached. It is desirable that the snap means be designed so that the resistance exerted by the snap means on the stent-holding means during expansion of the stent is less than the radial force acting on the distal end of the stent. This has the advantage that the snap-on means does not interfere with or suppress the stent during the final release, thus ensuring efficient stent release.
In other embodiments, the crown of the holding mechanism further comprises at least one groove formed in the crown. At least one groove is assigned to at least one pocket or recess and extends substantially longitudinally of the crown from the pocket or recess to one end of the crown. The at least one groove has a shape configured to accommodate the connecting wing plate of the stent. The connecting wing plate of the stent extends substantially in the direction of the stent and connects the stent holding means to each arm of the stent. The groove associated with the pocket or recess formed in the crown is preferably formed as a casting or reverse image of the connecting wing plate or other part of the stent. The groove extends substantially in the direction of the stent, connecting the retaining means with each arm of the stent.
Of course, the type of catheter tip as described above may also include snap-on means located in at least one groove formed in the crown of the retention mechanism. The snap-type means is for releasably fixing the stent-connecting wing plate that connects the stent-holding means and each arm of the stent. The snap means preferably includes a protruding rim or flange located on or near the outer edge of at least one groove formed in the crown of the holding mechanism. Their protruding rims or flanges are tuned to hold the connecting blades of the stent in at least one groove.
Therefore, the catheter tip has an improved retention mechanism for at least the distal region of the stent to be releasably secured at the catheter tip. The catheter tip can be connected to the catheter mechanism by means that allow the catheter tip to be manipulated. Such catheter mechanisms are well known and may include, for example, handles that further include operating means. The operating means work with the catheter tip so that the stents can be released from the catheter tip in a programmed order when the operating means are operating. In addition, the catheter tip may further include a housing system to accommodate at least the proximal region of the stent. The housing system preferably includes a first housing portion for accommodating the first functional component of the stent, such as a retaining arch of the stent. It is also desirable that the housing system include a second housing for accommodating a second functional component of the stent, such as a positioning arch.
In yet another embodiment, in the first program mode, the outer diameter of the internal prosthesis is about 5.0 mm and the length is 33.0 mm to 40.0 mm, preferably 34.0 mm to 39.0 mm, even more preferably 34.37 mm. It is ~ 38.37 mm. This means that medical devices can be deployed using, for example, a 21F introduction system, and artificial heart valves with diameters between 21 mm and 28 mm may be used. The length specifications mentioned above are currently considered desirable numbers based on medical devices suitable for most patients in need of treatment.
In order to ensure that the implanted medical device in the expanded state can be particularly securely fixed, the internal organ is molded and heat-treated during the manufacturing process so that the internal organ is fully open. In the program mode of, a slightly concave tapered structure may be formed in the direction of the proximal fixation region of the internal prosthesis. In other words, the diameter of the proximal fixation region of the internal prosthesis, the region to which the cardiac substitute valve is attached, is slightly smaller than the distal fixation region. If the distal fixation region of the internal organ is approximately 10% to 25% larger in diameter than the proximal fixation region of the internal prosthesis in the second program mode, a radial force, especially in the distal fixation region of the internal prosthesis. Has been found to allow the medical device to be reliably anchored in the vessel without damaging the vessel wall. Of course, the peristaltic movements of the heart and blood vessel walls are also taken into consideration. The slightly smaller radial force used in the proximal fixation area of the internal prosthesis not only serves to anchor the medical device in the aorta, but is also a cardiac substitute specifically attached to the proximal fixation area of the internal prosthesis. It also functions to open the valve and securely seal the blood vessel wall. However, of course, when the internal prosthesis takes a second extended program mode, the concave shape can be made into a slightly more concave structure.
In the second program mode, the diameter of the fixed region of the internal prosthesis is preferably 22 mm to 33 mm, preferably 25 mm to 31 mm. Given this situation, it is conceivable to manufacture internal prostheses in two or more different sizes. In that case, the optimal size of the internal prosthesis can be selected according to the patient. Also, the exact dimensions of the internal prosthesis will be adjusted according to the patient being treated. That is, starting with a preset stent size, it is adjusted by proper finishing of the internal prosthesis (stent), especially tempering. It is also desirable that the internal prosthesis be shaped so that the retention arch is curved at the bottom or "flare" outward, that is, radially, to provide additional fixation.
Prior art stents rely primarily solely on radial forces to secure the stent once it has been implanted. Such stents are constructed of mesh or have a cylindrical shape so that as much surface area of the stent as possible can contact the blood vessels. Despite its unobtrusive, non-cylindrical, and insufficient surface area, the internal prosthesis of the invention is surprisingly required to apply an extra 3-4 kg of force when fully implanted. It became clear that it could not be removed.
In a particularly preferred embodiment of the medical device, the device includes an internal prosthesis (stent) and a heart substitute valve, preferably a living heart substitute valve, preferably an aortic heart substitute valve. More desirable. The heart valve is attached to the fixation of the internal prosthesis by a thread, suture, or similar structure. An opening is provided within the retention arch of the internal prosthesis, through which threads and similar structures are inserted. Prior to medical intervention, it is conceivable to connect the cardiac substitute valve directly to the fixation of the internal prosthesis. As a result, medical devices can be manufactured with a modular design. This is a significant advantage in terms of transporting and storing the device. The biocardiac substitute valve may contain materials of various sources. Their sources include, for example, human, bovine, horse, or porcine tissue. The biocardiac substitute valve may be a natural heart valve or may be artificially generated or manufactured from a suitable biological material, cell, or tissue. Alternatively, the cardiac substitute valve may be manufactured from a biologically compatible artifact, a non-biological resource. Non-biological resources include, for example, pyrolysis carbon, titanium, Teflon®, polyester, dacron, and similar substances thereof.
For preferred materials used for internal prostheses of medical devices, shape memory materials are ideally used. Shape memory materials are designed so that an internal prosthesis can change from one shape to another by an external stimulus. Therefore, the internal prosthesis takes a minimized shape in the first program mode (when the medical device is in the minimized state) and in the second program mode (when the medical device is in the expanded state). Take an opening shape. Especially when shape memory materials such as nitinol (ie, an isoatomic alloy of nickel and titanium) are used, the embedding process becomes significantly slower during the operation of implanting medical devices. This minimizes the risk of tissue damage during insertion and implantation. Another advantage of using shape memory metals is that the opening shape can be transformed back to the minimized shape only by reversing the external stimulus.
During the manufacture of an internal prosthesis made from shape memory material, after the stent structure has been cut from a metal tube, the stent structure undergoes a process known as "programming" to be deformed and fixed into the desired opening shape. This operation may be performed, on the one hand, by heating the stent structure, deforming it, and then cooling it. Alternatively, the stent structure may be deformed at low temperatures by an operation known as cold stretching. As a result, the aperture shape is stored while the minimized shape is actually predominant. Next, when an external stimulus is applied to the stent structure, the shape memory effect is induced and the memorized opening shape is restored.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the external stimulus is a configurable switching temperature. Therefore, it is conceivable to heat the internal prosthesis material to a temperature higher than the switching temperature to induce a shape memory effect, thereby restoring the memorized opening shape of the internal prosthesis. By choosing the appropriate chemical composition of the shape memory material, the inherent switching temperature can be fixed before programming the internal prosthesis. Under these circumstances, the switching temperature is set to be within the range of room temperature and the patient's body temperature. This is a great advantage in applications where medical devices are implanted in the patient's body. Therefore, when implanting a medical device, all that is required is to ensure that the device is not heated until it is implanted in the patient's body (36 ° C). At that temperature, the shape memory effect of the internal prosthesis material is induced.
Suitable embodiments of the internal prosthesis of the medical device presented by the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
<figref num="1(a)">Shown is a first preferred embodiment of a self-expanding internal prosthesis for a medical device presented by the present invention, which is in a first program mode and the medical device is in a minimized state.</figref><figref num="1(b)">The internal artificial organ shown in FIG. 1 (a) is in a state between the first program mode and the second program mode, and the medical device is in the expanded state.</figref><figref num="1(c)">The internal prosthesis shown in FIG. 1 (a) is in the second program mode and the medical device is in the expanded state.</figref><figref num="1(d)">A first preferred of the medical device presented by the present invention, which is in an expanded state and has an internal prosthesis of the type shown in FIG. 1 (c), and a heart substitute valve attached to the internal prosthesis and expanded. Embodiment is shown.</figref><figref num="1(e)">A plan projection of a cutting pattern that can be used to integrally cut the internal prosthesis shown in FIG. 1 (a) from a metal tube to produce a first preferred self-expanding internal prosthesis is shown.</figref><figref num="2(a)">Demonstrates a second preferred embodiment of a self-expanding internal prosthesis for a medical device presented by the present invention, in a first program mode and with the medical device in a minimized state.</figref><figref num="2(b)">The internal artificial organ shown in FIG. 2 (a) is in a state between the first program mode and the second program mode, and the medical device is in the expanded state.</figref><figref num="2(c)">The internal prosthesis shown in FIG. 2 (a) is in the second program mode and the medical device is in the expanded state.</figref><figref num="2(d)">A second preference for the medical device presented by the present invention, which is in an expanded state and has an internal prosthesis of the type shown in FIG. 2 (c) and a cardiac substitute valve attached to the internal prosthesis and expanded. Embodiment is shown.</figref><figref num="2(e)">A plan projection of a cutting pattern that can be used to integrally cut the internal prosthesis shown in FIG. 2 (a) from a metal tube to produce a second preferred self-expanding internal prosthesis is shown.</figref><figref num="3(a)">Demonstrates a third preferred embodiment of a self-expanding internal prosthesis for a medical device presented by the present invention, in a first program mode and with the medical device in a minimized state.</figref><figref num="3(b)">The internal prosthesis shown in FIG. 3 (a) is in the state between the first program mode and the second program mode, and the medical device is in the expanded state.</figref><figref num="3(c)">The internal prosthesis shown in Figure 3 (a) is in the second program mode and the medical device is in the expanded state.</figref><figref num="3(d)">A third suitable of the medical device presented by the present invention, which is in an expanded state and has an internal prosthesis of the type shown in FIG. 3 (c) and a cardiac substitute valve attached to the internal prosthesis and expanded. Embodiment is shown.</figref><figref num="3(e)">A plan projection of a cutting pattern that can be used to integrally cut the internal prosthesis shown in FIG. 3 (a) from a metal tube to produce a third preferred self-expanding internal prosthesis is shown.</figref><figref num="4(a)">Demonstrates a fourth preferred embodiment of a self-expanding internal prosthesis for a medical device presented by the present invention, in a first program mode and with the medical device in a minimized state.</figref><figref num="4(b)">The internal artificial organ shown in FIG. 4 (a) is in a state between the first program mode and the second program mode, and the medical device is in the expanded state.</figref><figref num="4(c)">The internal prosthesis shown in FIG. 4 (a) is in the second program mode and the medical device is in the expanded state.</figref><figref num="4(d)">A fourth preference for the medical device presented by the present invention, which is in an expanded state and has an internal prosthesis of the type shown in FIG. 4 (c), and a heart substitute valve attached to and dilated into the internal prosthesis. Embodiment is shown.</figref><figref num="4(e)">A plan projection of a cutting pattern that can be used to integrally cut the internal prosthesis shown in FIG. 4 (a) from a metal tube to produce a fourth preferred self-expanding internal prosthesis is shown.</figref><figref num="5(a)">Demonstrates a fifth preferred embodiment of a self-expanding internal prosthesis for a medical device presented by the present invention, in a first program mode and with the medical device in a minimized state.</figref><figref num="5(b)">The internal artificial organ shown in FIG. 5 (a) is in a state between the first program mode and the second program mode, and the medical device is in the expanded state.</figref><figref num="5(c)">The internal prosthesis shown in FIG. 5 (a) is in the second program mode and the medical device is in the expanded state.</figref><figref num="5(d)">A fifth preference for the medical device presented by the present invention, which is in an expanded state and has an internal prosthesis of the type shown in FIG. 5 (c), and a cardiac substitute valve attached to and dilated into the internal prosthesis. Embodiment is shown.</figref><figref num="5(e)">FIG. 5 shows a plan projection of a cutting pattern that can be used to integrally cut the internal prosthesis shown in FIG. 5 (a) from a metal tube to produce a fifth preferred self-expanding internal prosthesis.</figref><figref num="6(a)">Demonstrates a sixth preferred embodiment of a self-expanding internal prosthesis for a medical device presented by the present invention, in a first program mode and with the medical device in a minimized state.</figref><figref num="6(b)">The internal artificial organ shown in FIG. 6 (a) is in a state between the first program mode and the second program mode, and the medical device is in the expanded state.</figref><figref num="6(c)">The internal prosthesis shown in FIG. 6 (a) is in the second program mode and the medical device is in the expanded state.</figref><figref num="6(d)">A sixth preference for the medical device presented by the present invention, which is in an expanded state and has an internal prosthesis of the type shown in FIG. 6 (c), and a heart substitute valve attached to the internal prosthesis and expanded. Embodiment is shown.</figref><figref num="6(e)">FIG. 6 shows a plan projection of a cutting pattern that can be used to integrally cut the internal prosthesis shown in FIG. 6 (a) from a metal tube to produce a sixth preferred self-expanding internal prosthesis.</figref><figref num="7(a)">Demonstrates a seventh preferred embodiment of a self-expanding internal prosthesis for a medical device presented by the present invention, in a first program mode and with the medical device in a minimized state.</figref><figref num="7(b)">The internal artificial organ shown in FIG. 7 (a) is in a state between the first program mode and the second program mode, and the medical device is in the expanded state.</figref><figref num="7(c)">The internal prosthesis shown in FIG. 7 (a) is in the second program mode and the medical device is in the expanded state.</figref><figref num="7(d)">Seventh suitable of the medical device presented by the present invention, which is in an expanded state and has an internal prosthesis of the type shown in FIG. 7 (c), and a cardiac substitute valve attached to the internal prosthesis and expanded. Embodiment is shown.</figref><figref num="7(e)">A plan projection of a cutting pattern that can be used to integrally cut the internal prosthesis shown in FIG. 7 (a) from a metal tube to produce a seventh preferred self-expanding internal prosthesis is shown.</figref><figref num="8(a)">Eighth preferred embodiment of a self-expanding internal prosthesis for a medical device presented by the present invention, in a first program mode and with the medical device in a minimized state, is shown.</figref><figref num="8(b)">The internal artificial organ shown in FIG. 8 (a) is in a state between the first program mode and the second program mode, and the medical device is in the expanded state.</figref><figref num="8(c)">The internal prosthesis shown in FIG. 8 (a) is in the second program mode and the medical device is in the expanded state.</figref><figref num="8(d)">Eighth preferred of the medical device presented by the present invention, which is in an expanded state and has an internal prosthesis of the type shown in FIG. 8 (c) and a cardiac substitute valve attached to the internal prosthesis and expanded. Embodiment is shown.</figref><figref num="8(e)">FIG. 5 shows a plan projection of a cutting pattern that can be used to integrally cut the internal prosthesis shown in FIG. 8 (a) from a metal tube to produce an eighth preferred self-expanding internal prosthesis.</figref><figref num="9(a)">Shown is a ninth preferred embodiment of a self-expanding internal prosthesis for a medical device presented by the present invention, which is in a first program mode and the medical device is in a minimized state.</figref><figref num="9(b)">The side of the connecting wing plate connecting the end of the positioning arch and the end of the associated retention arch of the internal prosthesis shown in Figure 9 (a), in the second program mode and with the medical device in the expanded state. A perspective view is shown.</figref><figref num="9(c)">A side perspective view of the positioning arch and the associated retention arch of the internal prosthesis shown in FIG. 9 (a), in the second program mode and with the medical device in the expanded state, is shown.</figref><figref num="9(d)">FIG. 9 is a plan perspective view of the terminal region of the internal prosthesis shown in FIG. 9 (a), in the second program mode, with the medical device in the expanded state.</figref><figref num="9(e)">Planar projection of a cutting pattern that can be used to integrally cut the internal prosthesis shown in FIG. 9 (a) from a metal tube to produce a self-expanding internal prosthesis of a ninth preferred embodiment. Is shown.</figref><figref num="10">A plan projection of a cutting pattern that can be used to integrally cut an internal prosthesis from a metal tube to produce a self-expanding internal prosthesis of another preferred embodiment is shown.</figref><figref num="11">Demonstrates another preferred embodiment of a self-expanding internal prosthesis for a medical device presented by the present invention, in a second program mode, in which the medical device in the internal prosthesis is in an expanded state.</figref><figref num="12(a)">A twelfth preferred embodiment of a self-expanding stent in a first program mode, in which the stent is in a minimized state, is shown.</figref><figref num="12(b)">The stent shown in FIG. 12 (a) is in the state between the first program mode and the second program mode, and the stent is in the expanded state.</figref><figref num="12(c)">The stent shown in FIG. 12 (a) is in the second program mode, and the stent is in the expanded state.</figref><figref num="12(d)">The stent shown in FIG. 12 (c) is shown with a cardiac substitute valve attached to the stent and expanded.</figref><figref num="12(e)">FIG. 6 shows a plan projection of a cutting pattern that can be used to integrally cut the stent shown in FIG. 12 (a) from a metal tube to produce a self-expanding stent of a twelfth preferred embodiment.</figref><figref num="13(a)">It is a schematic diagram which aims at showing the implant operation of a certain supposed medical device presented by this invention.</figref><figref num="13(b)">It is the schematic in the embedded state of the medical device presented by this invention.</figref><figref num="14(a)">Preferability of the insertion system by apex-penetrating design presented by the present invention as a means of inserting a self-expanding heart valve stent in four program function modes for the purpose of explaining the procedure for mounting the stent in the insertion system. Embodiment is shown.</figref><figref num="14(b)">Preferability of the insertion system by apex-penetrating design presented by the present invention as a means of inserting a self-expanding heart valve stent in four program function modes for the purpose of explaining the procedure for mounting the stent in the insertion system. Embodiment is shown.</figref><figref num="14(c)">Preferability of the insertion system by apex-penetrating design presented by the present invention as a means of inserting a self-expanding heart valve stent in four program function modes for the purpose of explaining the procedure for mounting the stent in the insertion system. Embodiment is shown.</figref><figref num="14(d)">Preferability of the insertion system by apex-penetrating design presented by the present invention as a means of inserting a self-expanding heart valve stent in four program function modes for the purpose of explaining the procedure for mounting the stent in the insertion system. Embodiment is shown.</figref><figref num="15(a)">An embodiment of the insertion system shown in FIG. 14 in four program function modes is shown for the purpose of illustrating the procedure for releasing the stent contained in the insertion system.</figref><figref num="15(b)">An embodiment of the insertion system shown in FIG. 14 in four program function modes is shown for the purpose of illustrating the procedure for releasing the stent contained in the insertion system.</figref><figref num="15(c)">An embodiment of the insertion system shown in FIG. 14 in four program function modes is shown for the purpose of illustrating the procedure for releasing the stent contained in the insertion system.</figref><figref num="15(d)">An embodiment of the insertion system shown in FIG. 14 in four program function modes is shown for the purpose of illustrating the procedure for releasing the stent contained in the insertion system.</figref><figref num="16(a)">A side view of a first preferred embodiment of a holding mechanism located at the catheter tip of the insertion system presented by the present invention is shown.</figref><figref num="16(b)">It is sectional drawing along the line AA shown in FIG. 16 (a) of the holding mechanism shown in FIG. 16 (a).</figref><figref num="16(c)">It is a top view of the distal holding region of a stent which can be held by the holding mechanism shown in FIG. 16 (a).</figref><figref num="17(a)">A medical device presented by the present invention comprising an insertion system with an apex-penetrating design, as shown, for example, in FIG. 14 or 15, and a self-expanding heart valve stent in four different functional modes of the insertion system. A suitable embodiment is shown.</figref><figref num="17(b)">A medical device presented by the present invention comprising an insertion system with an apex-penetrating design, as shown, for example, in FIG. 14 or 15, and a self-expanding heart valve stent in four different functional modes of the insertion system. A suitable embodiment is shown.</figref><figref num="17(c)">A medical device presented by the present invention comprising an insertion system with an apex-penetrating design, as shown, for example, in FIG. 14 or 15, and a self-expanding heart valve stent in four different functional modes of the insertion system. A suitable embodiment is shown.</figref><figref num="17(d)">A medical device presented by the present invention comprising an insertion system with an apex-penetrating design, as shown, for example, in FIG. 14 or 15, and a self-expanding heart valve stent in four different functional modes of the insertion system. A suitable embodiment is shown.</figref>
(Detailed explanation) The self-expanding internal prosthesis 1 of the first preferred embodiment used in the medical device presented by the present invention will first be described with reference to FIGS. 1 (a) to 1 (e). FIG. 1 (a) shows the internal prosthesis 1 in the first program mode. Since the internal prosthesis is in a minimized state there, it can be introduced into the patient's body with minimal invasiveness using a catheter mechanism. FIG. 1 (c) shows the internal prosthesis 1 in the second program mode. There, the internal prosthesis is in a dilated state. FIG. 1 (b) shows the internal prosthesis 1. An internal prosthesis 1 is shown between the first program mode (see Figure 1 (a)) and the second program mode (see Figure 1 (c)). FIG. 1 (d) shows the dilated internal prosthesis of FIG. 1 (c) with a heart substitute valve attached. The internal artificial organ 1 of the present embodiment is characterized in that it has a structure integrally cut from one metal tube. The cutting pattern used to create the stent design is shown in the plan projection of FIG. 1 (e).
Specifically, the internal prosthesis 1 includes a total of three positioning arches 10, which serve the function of mechanically positioning the medical device in the patient's aorta. The positioning arch 10 has a rounded head 12. The engagement of the head 12 with a poorly functioning heart valve pocket replaces the medical device when it is placed at the implantation site. By providing a total of three positioning arches 10, the required positioning accuracy can be reliably obtained in the rotation direction.
The head 12 of the positioning arch 10, each facing the proximal end 3 of the internal prosthesis 1, is appropriately rounded. Therefore, when the positioning arch 10 is replaced by engaging with the heart valve pocket, the vessel wall is not damaged. Extending from the head 12 of the positioning arch 10 to the distal end 2 of the internal prosthesis 1 is a total of two positioning wing plates, or arms 11, for each positioning arch 10. Each positioning arch 10 together forms an eye-shaped element 30 at the distal end 2 of the internal prosthesis 1. The eye-shaped element 30 functions as a holding means for attaching the internal artificial organ 1, that is, the medical device, to the introductory catheter mechanism.
Specifically, each holding eye 30 is located between two arms 11 of two adjacent positioning arches 10. It is the connecting wing plate 15 that leads to the transition 13 side between the two arms 11 of the two adjacent positioning arches 10 that are integral with the holding eye 30. The connecting wing plate 15 extends substantially in the longitudinal direction of the internal prosthesis 1. At the proximal end, the connecting wing plate 15 is one with each holding arm 21 of two adjacent holding arches 20.
Such a stent design results in an axially symmetrical structure by associating the retaining arch 20 with each positioning arch 10. Therefore, the internal prosthesis 1 of the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 (a) to 1 (c) has a total of three holding arms 20. These holding arms 20 serve as a base for the fixation of the internal prosthesis 1 to accommodate the cardiac substitute valve 40 (eg, shown in FIG. 1D). Positioning arches by providing transitions 23 located distal to the two adjacent holding arches 20 and each connecting wing plate 15 between the transitions 13 of the two adjacent positioning arches 10. A stent structure is obtained in which each arm 11 of 10 extends substantially parallel to each holding arm 21 of the holding arch 20 associated with the positioning arch 10.
When the internal prosthesis 1 is in the state shown in FIG. 1 (a), it is in the first program mode, but each arm 11 of the positioning arch 10 is directly adjacent to each arm 21 of the associated holding arch 20. ..
Particular attention should be paid to FIG. 1 (c), which shows the internal prosthesis 1 in the second program mode. Of particular note with respect to this figure is that each positioning arch 10 and its associated retention arch 20 have a U-shaped or V-shaped structure that is substantially closed in three directions at the proximal end of the internal prosthesis 1. Is the fact that it has. Specifically, each positioning arch 10 is cut from the material portion of the metal tube, but as can be seen from the cutting pattern shown in FIG. 1 (e), the metal tube is substantially U-shaped or in the associated holding arch 20. Adjusted to a V-shaped structure.
As can be seen from the comparison between FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (c), the internal prosthesis 1 shortens in the longitudinal direction during the transition from the first program mode to the second program mode, although At the same time, the cross section becomes wider, especially in the distal fixed circumference region 2 and the proximal fixed circumference region 3. When the internal prosthesis 1 is in the dilated state, each positioning arch 10 opens particularly radially from the surface of the internal prosthesis 1 to a greater extent than in the distal fixation region 2 of the stent 1. The positioning arch 10 is responsible for positioning the medical device in the embedded state by engaging with the pocket of the heart valve to be replaced. Therefore, the positioning arch 10 can be further projected radially and can be replaced in a significantly easier way by inserting it into the heart valve pocket of the heart valve.
FIG. 1 (d) shows an expanded embodiment with an internal prosthesis 1 of the type shown in FIG. 1 (c) and an open cardiac substitute valve 40 attached with thread 41. .. As shown in the figure, opening the proximal fixation region 3 of the internal prosthesis 1 where the cardiac substitute valve 40 is located opens the cardiac substitute valve 40. The proximal end 22 of the retention arch 21 simultaneously applies a radial force to the vessel wall (not shown), which ensures that the cardiac substitute valve 40 is closed against the vessel wall.
The radial force of the retention arch 21 against the vessel wall anchors the medical device to some extent at the implantation site, but when the medical device is in an expanded state, the distal fixation region 2 is the internal prosthesis 1. It is further extended by 10-25% in the radial direction compared to the proximal fixation region 3. This allows for stable implantation of medical devices, especially when considering the unavoidable perturbation of the vessel wall and the relatively high flow pressure that is the mainstream. As a result, the internal prosthesis 1 has a slightly concave shape that gradually narrows as it approaches the proximal fixation region 3 of the internal prosthesis 1. This shape ensures that the medical device is securely anchored in the vessel by pressing the distal fixation region 2 of the internal prosthesis 1 against the vessel wall.
In the embodiment shown, each arm 21 of the holding arch 20 has a continuous groove, i.e. an elongated hole 24. The purpose of providing the elongated hole 24 is to enable or support the internal prosthesis 1 to expand from the minimized state to the expanded state. These grooves or slots 24 reduce the length of the stent 1 while at the same time facilitating the enlargement of the cross section. However, it is not surprising that those grooves, or slotted holes 24, accommodate threads 41 and the like used to attach the cardiac substitute valve 40 (shown in FIG. 1 (d)) to the proximal region 3 of the internal prosthesis 1. Conceivable.
The medical device of the present invention includes two components, an internal prosthesis 1 and a cardiac substitute valve 40, which are made by modular design but are in principle manufactured separately. The internal prosthesis 1 is responsible for positioning and fixing the cardiac substitute valve 40 in the patient's aorta. It is desirable that the two parts (internal prosthesis 1 and cardiac substitute valve 40) are not connected to each other until just before the surgical intervention. From a mechanical point of view, the internal prosthesis 1 is a relatively sturdy component and can be stored for a considerable period of time, which is advantageous in terms of transport and storage of the internal prosthesis 1 itself. This is especially true if the internal organ 1 is stored in a second program mode, the dilated state, and does not switch to the first program mode (minimized state) until just before performing a surgical intervention.
FIG. 1 (a) shows the internal prosthesis 1 in the first program mode, that is, in the minimized state. The minimized state is the so-called "minimized" state of the internal artificial organ structure made from shape memory material. When an external stimulus acts on the body of the internal artificial organ shown in FIG. 1 (a), the shape memory effect is induced, and the predetermined opening shown in FIG. 1 (c) is memorized during the manufacturing process of the internal artificial organ 1. The shape is restored. This external stimulus is preferably a configurable switching temperature. Also, the internal prosthesis body must be at a temperature higher than the switching temperature in order to induce a shape memory effect and thereby restore the memorized opening shape of the internal prosthesis 1. By selecting the chemical composition of the material used for the internal organ 1, the inherent switching temperature can be fixed before programming the internal organ 1. In a preferred embodiment, the switching temperature ranges from 20 ° C to the patient's body temperature.
Therefore, it is conceivable that the medical device will be appropriately cooled during the introduction process. Desirably, if the medical device is moved to the desired implantation site, that is, in front of the heart valve born with it, by an appropriate introduction system, the patient will receive the internal prosthesis 1 of the medical device by interrupting cooling. It can be heated to body temperature (36 ° C), thereby inducing the shape memory effect of the internal prosthesis material. When the self-expanding property of the internal prosthesis 1 is induced, a radial force acts on each part of the internal prosthesis 1, in particular the positioning arches 10, 11 and the retention arches 20, 21 of the internal prosthesis 1. Since the internal prosthesis 1 of this medical device is still placed in the introductory catheter mechanism as before, the radial force compensation that is formed once the critical switching temperature is exceeded and acts on each part of the internal prosthesis 1 is provided. The introduction port of the introduction catheter mechanism performs. This induces a shape memory effect, but forces the internal prosthesis 1 of the medical device to remain in the first (minimized) program mode.
By discharging the internal prosthesis 1 from the introduction catheter mechanism through appropriate steps, the positioning arches 10 and 11 of the internal prosthesis 1 can first be discharged through the introduction port of the introduction catheter mechanism. As a result, the internal prosthesis 1 is opened by a radial force acting in the radial direction. Then, the open positioning arches 10 and 11 can be placed in the pocket of the heart valve created by the patient.
The remaining parts of the internal prosthesis 1 and the medical device can then be released through the introduction port of the induction catheter mechanism. At the same time, the holding arches 20 and 21 open in the radial direction, and the heart substitute valve 40 fixed to the holding arches 20 and 21 by, for example, a thread 41, opens so that the umbrella opens. The radial force acting on the retention arches 20 and 21 and also acting on the distal fixation region 2 of the internal organ 1 forces the internal organ 1 to be radial against the vessel wall. In this way, on the one hand, the secure fixation of the medical device is ensured at the implantation site, and on the other hand, the secure sealing of the cardiac substitute valve 440 is ensured in the proximal fixation region 3 of the internal prosthesis 1.
2 (a) to 2 (c) show a second embodiment of the self-expanding internal artificial organ 1 used in the medical device presented by the present invention. FIG. 2 (a) shows the first program mode, FIG. 2 (c) shows the second program mode, and FIG. 2 (b) shows the state between them.
FIG. 2 (d) shows the type of internal prosthesis shown in FIG. 2 (c) and the internal prosthesis attached to the internal prosthesis when the second embodiment of the medical device presented by the present invention is in the expanded state. Indicates a state in which the heart substitute valve 40 is provided. FIG. 2 (e) shows a plan projection drawing of the cutting pattern. This cutting pattern may be used in the manufacture of a second embodiment of a self-expanding internal prosthesis. This cutting pattern is suitable for integrally cutting the internal artificial organ shown in FIG. 2 (a) from the metal tube.
The internal artificial organ 1 of the second embodiment corresponds in principle to the first embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 1 (a) to 1 (e). Since the explanations of the various parts correspond to the explanations described in FIGS. 1 (a) to 1 (e), they will not be described repeatedly. The second embodiment differs from the first preferred embodiment of the internal prosthesis in that each arm 11 of the adjacent positioning arch 10 is substantially directed towards the holding eye 30 in the longitudinal direction of the internal prosthesis 1. The point is that they are indirectly connected via the connecting wing plate 16 that extends. Each arm 21 of the holding arch 20 is associated with an adjacent positioning arch 10. The positioning arch 10 is indirectly connected via a connecting wing plate 15 extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of the internal prosthesis 1 towards the holding eye 30. Specifically, the connecting wing plate 15 of the holding arch 20 is fused with the connecting wing plate 16 of the positioning arch 10 at the end portion 13 of the positioning arch 10. Therefore, the overall length of the stent 1 can be easily adjusted by appropriately selecting the lengths of the two connecting blades 15 and 16, respectively.
A third embodiment of the self-expanding internal artificial organ used in the medical device presented by the present invention, shown in FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (c), is shown in FIGS. 1 (a) to 1 (c). In principle, it corresponds to the first preferred embodiment shown in. However, the difference between the two is that in a third preferred embodiment, the retention eye 30 located between the two adjacent positioning arches 10 is provided with a barb 17 and each tip of the barb 17 is internal. It is a point facing the direction of the proximal end 3 of the artificial organ 1. By adding this improvement to the design of the internal prosthesis 1, the system can be further fixed. As a result, the position of the stent 1 can be prevented from shifting toward the left ventricle.
FIG. 3 (d) shows that the third embodiment of the medical device presented by the present invention is in the expanded state and is attached to and opened to the internal prosthesis of the type shown in FIG. 3 (c) and the internal prosthesis. Indicates a state in which the heart substitute valve 40 is provided. This figure corresponds to Fig. 1 (d) in principle. However, the difference from FIG. 1 (d) is that the above-mentioned return element 17 is provided on each holding eye 30.
FIG. 3 (e) shows a plan projection of a cutting pattern, which may be used in the manufacture of a third embodiment of a self-expanding internal prosthesis 1. This cutting pattern is suitable for integrally cutting the internal artificial organ shown in FIG. 3 (a) from the metal tube.
4 (a) to 4 (c) show a fourth embodiment of the self-expanding internal artificial organ 1 used in the medical device presented by the present invention. A fourth embodiment of the medical device presented by the present invention is shown in FIG. 4 (c) in an expanded state with an internal artificial organ. In addition, FIG. 4 (d) shows a heart substitute valve 40 attached to an internal artificial organ and opened. FIG. 4 (e) shows a plan projection view of the cutting pattern. This cutting pattern may be used in the manufacture of a fourth embodiment of a self-expanding internal prosthesis 1. The cutting pattern shown in FIG. 4 (e) is particularly suitable for integrally cutting the internal prosthesis shown in FIG. 4 (a) from the metal tube.
The fourth embodiment of the self-expanding artificial organ 1 corresponds to a combination of the second and third embodiments described above. Specifically, each arm 11 of the adjacent positioning arch 10 is indirectly connected via a connecting wing plate 16 extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of the internal prosthesis towards the fixed eye 30. Barbs 17 are provided on each fixed eye 30, with each tip of barbs 17 pointing towards the proximal end 3 of the internal prosthesis 1. Since the advantages that can be realized by the features provided in the fourth embodiment are as described above, they will not be described repeatedly here.
A fifth embodiment of the self-expanding internal artificial organ 1 and the medical device presented by the present invention, shown in FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (e), is shown in FIGS. 1 (a) to 1 (e). In principle, it corresponds to the first embodiment described with reference to. However, in the fifth embodiment, the first point is that each holding arch 21 of the internal artificial organ 1 is provided with a reinforcing portion 26, and the reinforcing portion 26 divides the groove 24 extending in the longitudinal direction of the holding arch 21. Different from the embodiment. The purpose of providing these reinforcements 26 is to open each part of the holding arch 21, especially to keep the fixed support 25 radially away from the holding arch 20. Therefore, a holding portion for the stent 1 can be obtained together with the reinforcing portion. There are no reinforcements to remove the medical device when it is in the expanded state.
FIG. 5 (e) shows a plan projection of the cutting pattern, which is shown in FIG. 5 (a) by using this cutting pattern to manufacture a fifth embodiment of a self-expanding internal prosthesis 1. The internal prosthesis 1 may be integrally cut from the metal tube.
A sixth embodiment of the self-expanding internal prosthesis and medical device presented by the present invention, shown in FIGS. 6 (a) to 6 (e), is shown in FIGS. 2 (a) to 2 (e). It corresponds to the combination of the second embodiment shown and the fifth embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (e). Therefore, specifically, the internal artificial organ 1 based on the second embodiment is provided with an additional reinforcing portion 26 for each holding arch 21, so that the reinforcing portion 26 extends in the longitudinal direction of the holding arch 21. Divide.
The seventh embodiment of the internal artificial organ 1 and the medical device presented by the present invention, shown in FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (e), is a combination of the above-mentioned third embodiment and the fifth embodiment. Corresponds to the one. In particular, each holding eye 30 is provided with a barb 17, and each holding arch 21 is provided with a reinforcing portion 26.
Eighth embodiments of the self-expanding internal prosthesis and medical device presented by the present invention, shown in FIGS. 8 (a) to 8 (e), are the fourth and fifth embodiments. Corresponds to a combination. In the eighth embodiment, each holding arch 21 comprises a stiffener 26. The retention eye 30 with the barb 17 is connected to each arm 11 of the adjacent positioning arch 10 by a connecting wing plate 16 substantially extending in the longitudinal direction of the internal prosthesis 1.
The ninth embodiment of the self-expanding internal artificial organ used in the medical device presented by the present invention shown in FIGS. 9 (a) to 9 (d) is the first embodiment (FIG. 1 (a). ) ~ See Fig. 1 (c)), the shape is slightly improved. The internal prosthesis 1 based on the ninth embodiment is shown in the first program mode in FIG. 9 (b) and 9 (c) show side perspective views of the internal artificial organ 1 based on the ninth embodiment in the second program mode, respectively. Specifically, the connecting wing plate 15 between the end 13 of the positioning arches 10 and 11 and the end 23 of the associated holding arches 20 and 21 is shown in FIGS. 9 (b) and 9 (c). Has been done. Meanwhile, the positioning arches 10 and 11 of the internal prosthesis 1 and the associated retention arches 20 and 21 are shown in FIG. 9 (a).
FIG. 9 (e) shows a plan projection drawing of the cutting pattern. By using this cutting pattern in the manufacture of the ninth embodiment of the self-expanding internal prosthesis 1, the internal prosthesis shown in FIG. 9 (a) may be integrally cut from the metal tube.
Unlike the first embodiment, each head 12 of the positioning arch 10 facing the proximal end 3 side of the internal prosthesis 1 is slightly at the proximal end in the ninth embodiment of the internal prosthesis 1. It is a wide design. The head 12 of the positioning arch 10 is slightly rectangular as compared to the first embodiment, but the positioning arch 10 engages with the heart valve pocket due to the rounded corners of the head 12. The vessel wall is not damaged even if it is replaced by. The advantage of the slightly wider design of the head 12 of the positioning arch 10 is that it can be placed in the pocket of the heart valve created with the positioning arch 10 with minimal removal during implant surgery. This allows for more accurate positioning of the medical device at the implantation site.
Similar to the above embodiment, for each positioning arch 10 of the ninth embodiment of the internal organ 1, a total of two positioning blades or arms 11 are provided from the head 12 of the positioning arch 10 to the internal organ. It extends to the distal end 2 of 1 and fuses with the ocular element 30 at the distal end 2 of the internal prosthesis 1. The eye-shaped element 30 functions as a holding means for attaching the internal prosthesis 1 to the introductory catheter mechanism and thus the medical device to the introductory catheter mechanism.
Specifically, in the ninth embodiment of the internal prosthesis 1, the retention eye 30 is located between the two arms 11 of the two adjacent positioning arches 10. The connecting wing plate 15 extends substantially longitudinally of the internal prosthesis 1 and leads to a transition portion 13 between the two arms 11 of the two adjacent positioning arches 10. A holding eye 30 is formed there. At the proximal end of the connecting wing plate 15, the latter together becomes each holding arm 21 of two adjacent holding arches 20. This design is particularly clearly shown in Figure 9 (d). FIG. 9 (d) shows a plan perspective view of the terminal region of the internal prosthesis in the second program mode shown in FIG. 9 (a).
In contrast to the above-described embodiment, in the ninth embodiment of the internal prosthesis 1, each holding arm 21 of the holding arch 20 has a transition between two arms 21 of the two adjacent holding arches 20. In 23, the groove, that is, the elongated hole 24 is not provided. In practice, for each holding arch 20, only one arm wing plate 21 leads to a transition 23 between the two arms 21 of the two adjacent holding arches 20. Therefore, when the internal prosthesis 1 is in the expanded state (see, for example, FIG. 9B), it is advantageous that no part of the holding arch 20 protrudes radially from each holding arch 20. When the internal prosthesis 1 is in the expanded state, the fixed support 25 may extend to a groove 24 that projects radially at the transition 23 between the two arms 21 of the two adjacent holding arches 20. Usually not. In this embodiment, it has been found that the internal prosthesis 1 can be removed particularly easily and removed from the patient's body.
A ninth embodiment of the internal prosthesis 1 does not have a groove or slot 24 in each transition 23 between the two arms 21 of the two adjacent holding arches 20. However, each holding arm 21 of the internal prosthesis 1 has a reinforcing portion 26, each of which is provided on a portion of the holding arm 21. The holding arm 21 does not coincide with the transition 23 between the two arms 21 of the two adjacent holding arches 20.
FIG. 10 shows a plan projection of a cutting pattern that can be used to manufacture other embodiments of the self-expanding internal prosthesis 1 to integrally cut the internal prosthesis from a metal tube. The cutting pattern shown in FIG. 10 differs from the cutting pattern shown in FIG. 1 (e) in that the groove 24 extending in the longitudinal direction of the holding arch 21 and arranged distally is omitted from each holding arch 21. On the other hand, in the fact that the large gap 27 is cut out between the adjacent retaining arches 21 to save material.
FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of a self-expanding internal prosthesis 1 for another design of the medical device presented by the present invention. Specifically, the internal artificial organ 1 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 11 is in the second program mode, and the medical device is in the expanded state. The internal prosthesis 1 shown in FIG. 11 differs from the internal prosthesis 1 shown in FIG. 1 (c) in that the stent 1 shown in FIG. 11 has a retaining eye 30 and a positioning arm 11 of two adjacent positioning arches 10. It is in the fact that it has an interconnected wing plate 16 that substantially extends in the longitudinal direction of the internal prosthesis 1 with the transition section 13 in between. Therefore, the total length of the internal artificial organ 1 and the medical device becomes long. However, in order to ensure optimal performance for operating the medical device in the minimized state, the longitudinal of the internal prosthesis 1, especially if the implantation route to the heart valve is through the arch of the aorta. It is advantageous to make the extensibility as small as possible. It is beneficial that the medical device be as short as possible (and that the internal prosthesis 1 is also as short as possible) so that the medical device can be easily operated around the arch.
In the internal prosthesis 1 shown in FIG. 11, when the internal prosthesis 1 is in the expanded state, the return portion 25 passes through the groove 24 at each transition portion 23 between the two arms 21 of the two adjacent holding arches 20. The fact that it pops out in the radial direction is also different from the internal artificial organ of the above-described embodiment. The tip of the barb 25 points in the direction of the distal retention region 2 of the internal prosthesis 1.
Yet another embodiment of the self-expanding internal prosthesis 1 used in the medical device presented by the present invention will be described here with reference to FIGS. 17 (a) to 17 (d).
FIG. 17 (a) shows the internal prosthesis 1 in the first program mode. There, the medical device (not explicitly shown) is in a minimized state and can be introduced into the patient's body using a catheter mechanism with minimal invasiveness. FIG. 17 (c) shows the internal prosthesis 1 in the second program mode. There, the medical device is in an expanded state. FIG. 17 (b) shows how the stent 50 is between the first program mode (see FIG. 17 (a)) and the second program mode (see FIG. 17 (c)). FIG. 17 (d) shows the internal prosthesis 1 with the heart substitute valve 60 attached by the suture in the dilated state.
This embodiment of the self-expanding artificial organ 1 corresponds to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 (a) to 2 (e) in principle. The difference from the embodiments shown in FIGS. 12 (a) to 12 (e) is that the holding eye 30 has no hole and has the shape of a holding head. It has become clear that the non-perforated retaining eye allows the medical device to be released from the insertion catheter mechanism more simply and easily. More specifically, it should be noted that the presence or absence of holes in the retaining means, which directly contributes to the easy release of the retaining means from the catheter, is not important. Rather, it is important that there are no areas on the catheter where the holding means can get caught or penetrate or pass through, such as stakes or holes.
Not surprisingly, various optional features, including a built-in or extendable fixed eye 30, a barb element 17, a stiffener 26, a perforated or non-perforated retaining eye 30, are internal prosthesis structures. It may be used in any combination with.
A more detailed description will be given below with reference to FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b). 12 (a) and 12 (b) show how the medical devices presented by the present invention are used to treat heart valve dysfunction.
The medical device presented by the present invention, and in particular the internal prosthesis 1 with a cardiac substitute valve 40 inside, is from the posterior side (retrograde) or through the apex, i.e. using a special catheter to the apex ( It is designed so that it can be introduced into the patient's body by approaching from the heart apex).
The device is percutaneously placed in the desired location within the body and is responsible for the function of an inadequate or narrowed (stenotic) heart valve. FIG. 13 (a) shows a schematic of one possible implantable surgery for the medical device presented by the present invention. The medical device of this example is introduced from the femoral artery into the patient's body using a specialized catheter by a retrograde approach. FIG. 13 (b) shows a schematic view in which the medical device presented by the present invention is embedded.
When taking the implantation route shown in FIG. 13 (a), the catheter mechanism includes a medical device with a cardiac substitute valve 40 and an internal prosthesis 1 acting as a fixed stent, although not explicitly shown, A. Introduced by making a hole in the .femoris communis (inguinal artery). It is desirable to cause actual heart valve implantation by moving the catheter mechanism in the direction of the aortic valve with the help of angiography (vascular display) and echocardiography (ultrasound) control.
Alternatively, the catheter mechanism can be pushed from the apex through the left ventricle to the aortic valve so as to penetrate the apex. As a result, in the aortic valve, an internal prosthesis 1 having a cardiac substitute valve 40 can be similarly implanted using a properly modified catheter.
When the catheter mechanism is introduced, it is desirable to cool the medical device, for example, by rinsing the inside of the catheter mechanism with a suitable coolant such as cold saline. Cooling is interrupted when the medical device is moved towards the desired implantation site. As a result, the internal prosthesis 1 of the medical device is warmed to the patient's body temperature (36 ° C). Thereby, the shape memory effect of the internal artificial organ material is induced.
By inducing the self-expanding property of the internal prosthesis 1, a radial force acting on each part of the internal prosthesis 1 is generated. Radial forces act specifically on the respective positioning arches 10, 11 and retention arches 20, 21 of the internal prosthesis 1. The internal prosthesis 1 of the medical device is still located in the introductory catheter mechanism as it was before the shape memory effect was evoked. Therefore, once the switching temperature exceeds the criticality, a radial force is generated and acts on each part of the internal artificial organ 1. As a result, the internal prosthesis 1 of the medical device is forcibly retained in the first (minimized) shape within the closed introduction port of the induction catheter mechanism, despite the induction of shape memory effects. Will be done.
By releasing the internal prosthesis 1 from the introductory catheter mechanism in an appropriate procedure, the positioning arches 10 and 11 of the internal prosthesis 1 exit through the introductory port once the introductory catheter mechanism is open. Positioning arches 10 and 11 are opened by radial forces within the internal prosthesis. Next, the positioning arches 10 and 11 are placed in the pocket 50 of the heart valve 51 that was born with it.
The other components of the internal prosthesis 1 and the medical device are then released through the introduction port of the introduction catheter mechanism. As shown in FIG. 13 (b), the holding arches 20 and 21 are opened together in the radial direction to open the heart substitute valve 40 attached to the holding arches 20 and 21 like an umbrella. However, the radial force acting on the retention arches 20 and 21 also acts on the distal fixation region 2 of the internal prosthesis 1 to press the internal prosthesis 1 radially against the vessel wall. This ensures that the medical device can be secured at the implantation site on the one hand and that the cardiac substitute valve 40 can be reliably closed in the proximal fixation region 3 of the internal prosthesis 1 on the other hand.
When the medical device is implanted as shown in FIG. 13 (b), the cardiac substitute valve 40 opens in the proximal fixation region 3 of the internal prosthesis 1. On the other hand, the old (dysfunctional) heart valve 51 is pressed against the vessel wall by the self-expanding property of the internal prosthesis 1. The distal fixation area 2 of the internal prosthesis 1 allows the system to be more mechanically supported and securely anchored.
As can be seen from FIG. 13 (b), each positioning arm 21 of the positioning arch 20 is located in the remaining heart valve pocket when the internal prosthesis 1 is in the expanded state. Thereby, reliable and error-free positioning of the medical device is substantially guaranteed. The remaining piece of heart valve pocket tissue is secured between the positioning arch 10 and the retention arch 20 by expansion of the internal prosthesis 1. This optimizes the positioning of the heart substitute valve 40 and further assists in firmly fixing the heart substitute valve 40. Optimal lateral sealing of the implanted heart substitute valve 40 is also guaranteed at the same time.
The system is made more mechanical by having a barb 17 on a retention eye 30 located in the distal fixation area 2 of the internal prosthesis 1 and / or having a suitable fixation support 25. It can be supported and securely fixed. When the internal prosthesis 1 is in the expanded state, the fixed support 25 protrudes from the cooperating arm 21 of the holding arch 20 and the tip of the fixed support 25 points in the direction of the distal end 2 of the internal prosthesis 1. ..
The design of the internal prosthesis 1 allows the internal prosthesis 1 to be held by the retaining eye 30 and the longitudinal extension of the internal prosthesis 1 to minimize the medical device. It pulls the medical device back into the catheter and removes it from the patient's body.
The modular integration of the retaining element (retention eye) on the self-expanding internal organ 1 allows the self-expanding internal organ 1 to be removed again with a catheter, even once implanted. be able to. To this end, the distal fixation region 2 of the internal prosthesis 1 is placed into the catheter by a plurality of retaining eyes using a guide wire in the catheter. That is, in the reverse procedure of implant surgery, the internal prosthesis 1 is returned from the dilated state to the minimized state and removed from the fixed state in the still remaining heart valve pocket. As described below, the design of the internal prosthesis 1 allows the implantation to be withdrawn at any stage of the implantation process. Specifically, removal may be performed with minimal damage and / or stress to the heart, vascular system, and the patient himself.
Further preferred embodiments of the present invention with respect to the catheter insertion mechanism are described below.
Although the use of the catheter insertion mechanism specifically shown here will be described, it is not necessarily intended to be limited to the use of a stent equipped with this catheter insertion mechanism. This catheter insertion mechanism is a new feature of the catheter tip and can be supplied in the form of a module cartridge, for example in combination with a holding means. Module cartridges make it possible to improve reliability with respect to stent release and positioning. Therefore, such a catheter tip, or cartridge, can be added to a conventionally known catheter mechanism.
With reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, the use of a stent with a catheter insertion mechanism with a transapical design, a self-expanding heart valve stent is inserted through the apex into the patient's body. The case will be described. 14 (a)-(d) and 15 (a)-(d) show the insertion mechanism in four different program function modes, respectively.
The insertion mechanism 1 is suitable for penetrating and approaching a heart valve to be replaced, such as an aortic valve. Since the insertion mechanism 1 is used, a self-expanding heart valve stent can be implanted in the patient's body through the apex, that is, from the apex. To achieve this goal, the insertion mechanism 1 has a catheter mechanism 10. Although not explicitly shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the heart valve stent can be inserted into the patient's body in a minimized state by the catheter mechanism 10. FIG. 16 shows an embodiment of the catheter tip presented by the present invention.
In the insertion mechanism 1 shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the catheter tip 20 is provided at the proximal end 11 of the catheter mechanism 10. The proximal end 11 can accommodate a heart valve stent that is implanted in the patient's body. The distal end 12 of the catheter mechanism 10 is also provided with a handle 30. The catheter tip 20 can be operated by the handle 30.
Specifically, the catheter tip 20 of the insertion mechanism 1 shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 has a holding mechanism 21, so that at least the terminal region of the stent to be implanted in the patient's body is attached to the catheter tip in an open state. be able to. In particular, the holding mechanism will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.
The catheter tip 20 also has a housing system to accommodate at least the proximal region of the stent. Specifically, the housing system includes a first housing portion 23 for accommodating a first functional component of the stent, for example accommodating a retaining arch of the stent. The housing system also includes a second housing portion 24 for accommodating a second functional component of the stent, for example accommodating a positioning arch of the stent.
Regarding the handle 30 of the insertion mechanism 1, the handle 30 has a first operating means 33 that cooperates with the first housing portion 23 and a second operating means 34 that cooperates with the second housing portion 23. The first operating means 33 of the handle 30 cooperates with the first housing portion 23 of the catheter tip 20 to operate the first operating means 33 with respect to the fixing mechanism 21. Produces a programmable longitudinal motion of the housing portion 23 of the. Second, the second operating means 34 of the handle 30 cooperates with the second housing portion 24 of the catheter tip 20 to, when the second operating means 34 is operated, with respect to the fixing mechanism 21. Causes a programmable longitudinal movement of the second housing portion 24 at the catheter tip 20.
For example, using the insertion mechanism 1 shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, the second housing portion 24 of the catheter tip 20 is arranged at the proximal end 25 of the catheter tip 20. The first housing portion 23 is arranged between the second housing portion 24 and the handle 30. When the second operating means 34 associated with the handle is operated using this apex-penetrating insertion mechanism 1, the second housing portion 24 of the catheter tip 20 is attached to the fixation mechanism 21 in the proximal direction. On the other hand, the catheter tip 20 can be moved in the longitudinal direction L, that is, in the direction away from the handle 30. When operating the associated first operating means 33 of the handle 30, the first housing 23 is placed in the longitudinal direction L of the catheter tip 20 with respect to the distal fixation mechanism, i.e. in the direction of the handle 30. Can be moved.
The insertion mechanism 1 shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 also has a gate mechanism 13 that cooperates with the catheter mechanism 10. One of the gate mechanisms 13 is connected to a part of the catheter tip 20 on the handle 30 side, and the other is connected to a part of the handle 30 on the catheter tip side. The gate mechanism 13 is preferably a hollow design, but has a first force transmission mechanism 26 such as a wire mechanism inside. The first force transmission mechanism 26 makes it possible to transmit force from the first operating means 33 of the handle 30 to the first housing portion 23 of the catheter tip 20.
The gate mechanism 13 also includes a second force transmission mechanism 27 to transmit force from the second operating means 34 of the handle 30 to the second housing portion 24 of the catheter tip 20. Similar to the first force transmission mechanism 26, the second force transmission mechanism 27 may be provided in the form of a wire mechanism.
Specifically, in the insertion mechanism 1, the second force transmission mechanism 27 that actively connects the second operating means 34 of the handle 30 and the second housing portion 24 of the catheter tip 20 is inside the gate mechanism 13. It is provided in the form of a wire that extends through. One of the wires is connected to the second operating means 34 of the handle 30, and the other is connected to the second housing 24 of the catheter tip 20. The first force transmission mechanism 26 is provided in a sleeve shape, extends through the inside of the gate mechanism 13 and surrounds the wires constituting the second force transmission mechanism 27. The second force transmission mechanism 27 is an extension of the first housing portion 23 of the catheter tip 20, one for the first operating means 33 of the handle and the other for the first casing of the catheter tip 20. It is actively connected to the body 23. However, as a matter of course, it is conceivable that the first force transmission mechanism 26 is provided in the form of a sleeve surrounding the wires constituting the second force transmission mechanism 27. In that case, the sleeve of the first force transmission mechanism 26 also constitutes the gate mechanism 13 at the same time, and is an extension portion of the first housing portion 23. One of the extensions is actively connected to the first operating means 33 of the handle, and the other is actively connected to the first housing portion 23 of the catheter tip 20.
The sleeve of the first force transmission mechanism 26 used with the gate mechanism 13, i.e., the catheter mechanism 10 of the apex-penetrating design of the insertion mechanism 1, is provided in the form of a long tube and a second force transmission mechanism 27. Optionally, a first force transfer mechanism 26 may be arranged inside the tube. It is desirable that the gate mechanism 13 be designed so that the length of the tube does not substantially change, especially when subjected to compressive or tensile stresses. These stresses occur in the process of inserting the catheter mechanism 10. This function of the gate mechanism 13 is provided by using suitable materials for long tubes and by appropriately selecting the wall thickness. In particular, it is preferable that the sleeve of the gate mechanism 13, that is, the first force transmission mechanism 26, is resistant to buckling and is easy to bend. Thereby, a bend radius of at least 4 cm, preferably at least 3 cm, can be achieved using the gate mechanism 13 at least in the proximal region 14 of the gate mechanism 13.
With respect to the fixation mechanism 21 at the catheter tip 20 in the illustrated embodiment of the insertion mechanism 1 designed to penetrate the apex, the fixation mechanism 21 has the shape of a crown 21a in which a total of three pockets 22 are formed. It is provided in. The pocket 22 of the crown 21a has a design that complements a holding element, such as a holding head. The retaining element is located in the distal region of the stent and will or can be accommodated in the catheter tip 20 of the insertion mechanism 1. The pocket 22 formed in the crown 21a allows the stent to be releasably attached to the holding mechanism 21 of the catheter tip 20 by forming a disengagement engagement with the distal region of the stent.
In particular, in the embodiment of the insertion mechanism 1 designed to penetrate the apex as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the first housing portion 21 of the catheter tip 20 and the second casing of the catheter tip 20 Both with the body 24 are provided as sleeve-shaped or sleeve-shaped parts, respectively, and are specially designed to accommodate the functional components of the stent. Specifically, the inner diameter of the sleeve-shaped second housing portion 24 is larger than the outer diameter of the sleeve-shaped first housing portion 23. Therefore, in the case of the illustrated insertion mechanism 1 embodiment designed to penetrate the apex, the second housing portion 24 of the catheter tip 20 is in addition to the second functional component of the stent, i.e. the positioning arch of the stent. The stent is designed to house the first functional component of the stent, the first housing 23 of the catheter tip 20, which houses the retaining arch of the stent.
Looking at the handle 30 used with the embodiment of the insertion mechanism 1 shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the illustrated embodiment of the insertion mechanism 1 is the second of the catheter tip 20 via the second force transmission mechanism 27. The second operating means 34, which cooperates with the housing portion 24 of 2, is guided by the guide 31'and is actively connected to the sliding portion 31 ". It has 31). The transport unit 31 of the second operating means 34 is actively connected to the second housing portion 24 of the catheter tip 20 that cooperates with the second operating means 34 via the second force transmission mechanism 27. ing. As a result, when operating the transport unit 31 of the second operating means 34, particularly the second operating means 34, a force is applied from the transport unit 31 of the second operating means 34 to the second housing portion 24 of the catheter tip 20. Communicates directly. Similarly, the first operating means 33 is also actively connected to the first housing 23 of the catheter tip 20 via the first force transmission mechanism 26, but is guided by the guide 32'. It has a transport unit 32 that is actively connected to another sliding unit 32 . The transport unit 32 of the first operating means 33 is connected to the first operating means 33 via the first force transmission mechanism 26. It is actively connected to the first housing portion 23 of the catheter tip 20 that cooperates. Therefore, when operating the first operating means 33, particularly the transport portion 32 in the first operating means 33 is operated. In this case, the force is directly transmitted from the transport portion 32 of the first operating means 33 to the first housing portion 23 of the catheter tip 20.
With respect to the first operating means 33 of the handle 30 used with the insertion mechanism 1 shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the handle 30 also has a first stop 35 and a second stop 36. These stop portions cooperate with the first operating means 33, and when operating the first operating means 33, fix the total stroke length of the longitudinal movement of the first housing portion 23 of the catheter tip 20. It is designed to be. This is possible thanks to the fact that the displacement path that can be covered by the sliding portion 32 "of the first operating means 33 on the guide 32'is fixed.
The handle 30 also has a third stop 37 and a fourth stop 38. These cooperate with the second operating means 34 to fix the total stroke length of the vertical motion. This can be achieved by the second housing portion 24 of the catheter tip 20 when operating the second operating means 34.
In addition to the third stop 37 and the fourth stop 38, the handle 30 of the present embodiment of the insertion mechanism 1 shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 is another fifth that cooperates with the second operating means 34. It also has a stop 39. The fifth stop 39 cooperates with the third stop 37 on the one hand and with the fourth stop 38 on the other. When operating the second operating means 34, a stepwise longitudinal motion is provided that includes each of the two steps of the transport section 31 on the guide 31'of the second operating means 34. As a result, a stepwise longitudinal motion involving two individual steps occurs in which the second housing portion 24 at the catheter tip 20 is moved relative to the catheter tip 20 fixation mechanism, the crown 21.
The fifth stop 39, which cooperates with the second operating means 34, is appropriately arranged on the guide 31'of the second operating means 34 between the third stop 37 and the fourth stop 38. ing. One third stop 37 and the fifth stop 39, and the other fourth stop 38 and the fifth stop 39 are used for each step when operating the second operating means. The stroke length of the longitudinal movement of the second housing portion 24 of the catheter tip 20 is determined.
As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, in the illustrated embodiment of the insertion mechanism 1, the fifth stop 39 of the handle 30 described above, which cooperates with the second operating means 34 of the handle 30, is a second. It is provided in the form of a stop element 44 that is detachably attached to the guide 31'of the transport unit 31 within the operating means.
Finally, in the handle 30 of the insertion mechanism 1 shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the first operating means 33 and the second operating means 34 are assigned the first fixed element 41 and the second fixed element 42, respectively. Has been done. Specifically, the first fixed element 41 that cooperates with the first operating means 33 of the handle 30 is provided in the form of a fixed element. The first fixed element 41 can be removed from the transport section 32 or the sliding section 32 of the first operating means 33. The first fixed element 41 is the first operating means 33 and the first operating means. It works with the transport section 32 of 33, thereby preventing the longitudinal movement of the first housing section 23 of the catheter tip 20 that could be brought about by the first operating means 33, while. A second fixed element 42 that cooperates with the second operating means 34 is also provided in the form of a fixed element and can be removed from the transport section 31 or the sliding section 31 of the second operating means 34. The second fixed element 42 cooperates with the second operating means 34. Thereby, the longitudinal movement of the second housing portion 24 of the catheter tip 20, which may be brought about by the second operating means 34, can be prevented.
Four different functional modes that can be created using the insertion mechanism 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 15 (a) to 15 (d).
FIG. 15A shows a state in which the insertion mechanism 1 is in the first functional mode. There, the catheter tip 20 is completely closed. As mentioned above, the self-expandable heart valve stent can be housed in the corresponding first housing 23 and second housing 24 at the catheter tip 20 or catheter tip 20.
In the first functional mode shown in FIG. 15 (a), the sliding unit 31 "and the sliding unit 32" of the second operating means 34 and the first operating means 33, and therefore the transport unit 31 and the transport unit 32, respectively, It is in position 1 (position 1). Specifically, the sliding portion 32 "of the first operating means 33 is located in contact with the first tip portion 35 provided at the end of the guide 32'on the catheter tip side. At this first position. , The sliding portion 32 "is fixed by the first fixing element 41. As a result, the vertical movement of the sliding portion 32 "of the first operating means 33 on the guide 32'and the transport portion 32 does not occur in the direction of the second stopping portion 36 that cooperates with the first operating means 33. Will be done.
Similar to the first position (position 1) on the third stop 37 of the second operating means 34, the sliding portion 31 and the transport portion 31 of the second operating means 34 are also shown in FIG. 15 (a). It is in the first functional mode. The third stop 37 of the second operating means 34 is located at the distal end of the guide 31'in the second operating means 34. In this first position. , The sliding portion 31 "and the transport portion 31 of the second operating means 34 are fixed in the second position in order to prevent longitudinal movement toward the catheter tip along the sliding portion 31" and the guide 31'of the transport unit 31. It is fixed by element 42.
As described above, when the insertion mechanism 1 is in the first functional mode as shown in FIG. 15 (a), the catheter tip 20 of the insertion mechanism 1 is in a completely closed state. In this state, the first housing portion 23 and the second housing portion 24 of the catheter tip 20 provided in the form of a sleeve-shaped element expand and contract in a nested manner, such as one inside and another. Engage freely. This feature can be realized by appropriately adjusting the inner and outer diameters of the sleeve-shaped elements with respect to each other. Specifically, it is desirable that the outer diameter of the sleeve-shaped second operating means 34 is the same as the outer diameter of the proximal region 14 of the gate mechanism 13. As will be described in more detail below, the sleeve-shaped first housing portion 23 and the second housing portion 24 of the catheter tip 20 are adjusted in terms of inner and outer diameters, respectively. Thereby, the folded retention arch of the stent fitted with the cardiac substitute valve, which is housed in the catheter tip 20, can be housed in the sleeve-shaped first housing 23 and also folded. It is possible to keep the state, that is, the minimized state. At the same time, the folded positioning arch of the stent is housed and folded between the sleeve-shaped first housing 23 and the sleeve-shaped second housing 24 at the catheter tip 20. Is kept in.
In the first functional mode of the insertion mechanism 1, the catheter tip 20 is inserted into the patient's body and guided to the desired implantation site. In the case of the insertion mechanism 1 based on the first embodiment of the solution presented by the present invention shown in FIG. 15 (a), the implantation site, that is, the remaining heart valve, penetrates the apex, that is, Can be approached from the apex of the heart. That is, the first housing 23 of the catheter tip 20 is located distal to the crown 21, but a retaining mechanism is provided in the form of the crown 21 in the proximal region of the catheter tip 20. Because.
FIG. 15 (b) shows a state in which the insertion mechanism 1 shown in FIG. 15 (a) is in the second functional mode. As soon as the catheter tip 20 of the insertion mechanism 1 reaches the implantation site in the patient's body, this second functional mode is taken. As will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 15 (b) to 15 (d), once the catheter tip 20 reaches the implantation site, the catheter tip 20 is gradually inserted by a predetermined series of events. It provides the essential manipulation of the first housing 23 and the second housing 24 of the catheter tip 20 required to release the stent housed in the catheter tip 20. Thereby, the different functional parts of the stent, in particular the positioning arch and the holding arch, are released in sequence. The gradual release of the internal prosthesis housed in the catheter tip 20 of the insertion mechanism 1 by the special movement of the first housing 23 and the second housing 24 at the catheter tip 20 is described in detail below. To do.
Once the catheter tip 20 reaches the implantation site, the insertion mechanism 1 is moved from the first functional mode shown in FIG. 15 (a) to the first functional mode shown in FIG. 15 (b) by operating the second operating means 34. Switch to 2 functional modes. Specifically, the second fixed element 42 is removed from the second operating means 34. As a result, the longitudinal movements of the sliding portion 31 "and the transport portion 31 of the second operating means 34 are no longer obstructed.
After removing the second fixing element 42 from the second operating means 34 and unlocking the sliding portion 31 "of the second operating means 34 and the transport portion 31, the sliding portion 31" of the second operating means 34 " And the transport unit 31 is moved from the first position (position 1) to the second position (position 2) in the direction of the catheter tip 20 along the guide 31'. The second position (position 2) is determined by a fifth stop 30 located between the third stop 37 (position 1) and the fourth stop 38.
By operating the second operating means 34 in this way, the second housing portion 24 of the catheter tip 20 that cooperates with the second operating means 34 is proximal to the holding mechanism 21 of the catheter tip 20. Moved in the direction. The momentum, that is, the degree of longitudinal movement of the second housing 24 of the catheter tip 20 with respect to the fixation mechanism 21 of the catheter tip 20 in the proximal direction in this example, is determined by the stroke length of the longitudinal movement. The stroke length of the longitudinal motion is the second between the first position (position 1) and the second position (position 2) generated by the sliding portion 31 "and the transport portion 31 using the second operating means 34. It can be generated by using the operation means 34 of.
The resulting movement of the second housing 24 of the catheter tip 20 with respect to the fixation mechanism 21 allows expansion and contraction between the two sleeve-shaped first housings 23 and the second housing 24. Is disengaged. The degree of momentum of the second housing 24 with respect to the fixation mechanism 21 or the first housing 23, and thus the longitudinal movement that can be brought about by the sliding section 31 "and the transport section 31 using the second operating means 34. The stroke is selected as follows: that is, the sleeve-shaped second housing portion 24 at the catheter tip 20 is no longer able to extend and contract the first housing portion 23 of the catheter tip 20 in a nested manner. Although not covered, it is still selected to cover the holding mechanism 21 or the crown 21a, in particular the pocket 22 formed in the crown 21a, resulting in a second insertion mechanism 1 as shown in FIG. 17 (b). In functional mode, the distal holding region of the cardiac valve stent housed in the catheter tip 20 is held fixed by the catheter tip 20, especially the holding mechanism 21, which can be achieved at the distal end of the stent. This is because the holding head and the like are engaged with the pocket 22 formed in the crown portion 21a of the holding mechanism 21.
As described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 17, when the insertion mechanism 1 is in the second functional mode as shown in FIG. 15 (b), the retaining arch of the stent is the first of the catheter tips 20. It is still held in the minimized state by the housing portion 23 of the. This is because those parts of the stent are housed in the first housing 23 of the catheter tip 20. The engagement between the holding head at the distal end of the stent and the pocket 22 formed in the crown 21a of the holding mechanism 21 is secured by the distal end of the second housing 24. Thereby, the distal holding region of the stent is also held in a minimized state by the second housing 24. As described above, this is possible for the crown 21a with the pocket 22 formed at the distal end of the second housing 24 and the retention mechanism 21, and for the stent housed in the pocket 22. This is because the holding head is still covered.
By operating the second operating means 34, the second housing portion 24 of the catheter tip 20 is proximal to the handle 30 with respect to the holding mechanism 21 and the first housing portion 23 of the catheter tip 20. Be kept away from. As a result, the positioning arch of the stent is no longer covered by the second housing portion 24. That is, the longitudinal movement of the second housing 24 causes the insertion mechanism 1 to be between the first housing 23 and the second housing 24 of the catheter tip 20 when the insertion mechanism 1 is in the second functional mode. Yes, the first functional mode is realized (see Figure 15 (a)), which releases the stretchable retainer of the stent's positioning arch. When the insertion mechanism 1 is in the second functional mode (see FIG. 15 (b)), the second housing 24 of the catheter tip 20 is no longer responsible for holding the stent's positioning arch in a minimized state. Absent. Therefore, the positioning arch of the stent can be released and thus opened. Once released, the stent's positioning arch expands outward due to the inherent radial force of the stent structure, as described in detail in FIG. The next open positioning arch can be located in the remaining heart valve pocket.
Once the stent's positioning arch is placed in the remaining heart valve pocket, the insertion mechanism 1 moves from the second functional mode shown in FIG. 15 (b) to the third functional mode shown in FIG. 15 (c). And migrate. This can be achieved by removing the first fixing element 41 that works with the first operating means 33 of the handle 30 and thus unlocking the sliding portion 32 and transport of the first operating means 33. This is because the part 32 can perform vertical movement.
Once the first fixing element 41 is removed, the sliding portion 32 "and the transport portion 32 of the first operating means 33 move from the first position (position 1) to the second position (position) along the guide 32'. The stroke of the longitudinal movement is determined by the second stop 36 of the first operating means 33, which is located at the distal end of the guide 32'of the first operating means 33.
By operating the first operating means 33, the first housing portion 23 of the catheter tip 20 that cooperates with the first operating means 33 moves by a vertical stroke. This is provided by the sliding portion 32 "and the transport portion 32 of the first operating means 33 in the distal direction of the handle 30 with respect to the holding mechanism 21 of the catheter tip 20 and the second housing portion 24. This movement of the first housing 23 at the catheter tip 20 with respect to the mechanism 21 and the crown 21a causes the first housing 23 to no longer cover the proximal fixation area of the stent, thus the first casing. The body 23 releases the stent's retention arch, along with a cardiac substitute valve attached to the retention arch, due to the proper selection of longitudinal strokes achievable by the first operating means 33. When the proximal fixation area of the stent is released, the radial force acting on it completely opens the proximal fixation area of the stent.
When the insertion mechanism 1 is in the third functional mode as shown in FIG. 15 (c), the distal end of the second housing 24 of the catheter tip 20 still covers the retention mechanism 21 or the crown 21a. There is. The engagement of the retaining head of the stent formed in the crown 21a in the pocket 22 continues to exist. Thereby, the stent remains actively connected to the catheter mechanism 10 of the insertion mechanism 1. Despite the proximal fixation area remaining open, the stent with the cardiac substitute valve can still be withdrawn or ex-planted into the catheter. Explantation is done in the reverse of the corresponding order. That is, the insertion mechanism 1 first switches from the third function mode to the second function mode, and then switches to the first function mode.
Once the proximal fixation area of the stent is fully released and the widened cardiac substitute valve is confirmed to function normally, the stent can be released from the tip of the catheter. This can be achieved by switching the insertion mechanism 1 from the third functional mode shown in FIG. 15 (c) to the fourth functional mode shown in FIG. 15 (d). If any abnormalities are found during inspection of the stent, the stent may be removed as described above.
In the fourth functional mode, the capture element provided between the third stop 37 and the fourth stop 38 on the guide 31'of the second operating means 34, that is, the fixed element 44, is shown in FIG. In the second functional mode shown in b), the fifth stop 39 is specified but removed. As a result, the sliding portion 31 "and the transport portion 31 of the second operating means 34 move from the second position (position 2) to the third position (position 3) in the direction of the catheter tip 20 of the insertion mechanism 1. It can be moved further on the guide 31'. This third position (position 3) is defined by a fourth stop 38 at the proximal end of the guide 31'of the second operating means 34. Therefore, a programmed (additional) operation of the transport unit 31 of the second operating means 34 is provided. As a result, the second housing portion 24 of the catheter tip 20 that cooperates with the second operating means 34 It is moved further proximal to the holding mechanism 21, i.e. away from the handle 30, due to the longitudinal stroke caused by further manipulation of the second operating means 34.
The stroke of longitudinal motion caused by further manipulation of the second operating means 34 is at least the crown of the holding mechanism 21 when the second housing 24 of the catheter tip 20 is moved relative to the holding mechanism 21. It is determined that the pocket 22 formed in the portion 21a is no longer covered by the distal end of the second housing portion 24. By removing the pocket 22 of the holding mechanism 21 by the second housing portion 24 in this way, the engagement between the holding head provided at the distal end of the stent and the pocket 22 of the holding mechanism 21 is released. This disengagement, in turn, completely releases the distal holding area of the stent, which leaves the stent fully open.
14 (a) to 14 (d) show how the insertion mechanism 1 is in four different functional modes, which will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 (a) to 15 (d). However, here, these schematics start with a fourth functional mode (FIG. 14 (a)), then show a third functional mode (FIG. 14 (b)), and then a second functional mode (FIG. 14 (b)). 14 (c)) is shown and the process ends in the first functional mode (Fig. 14 (d)). The procedure shown in FIG. 14 is used to load a stent, for example as shown in FIG. 17, into the catheter tip 20 of insertion mechanism 1. The step loading procedure shown in FIGS. 14 (a) to 14 (d) corresponds to a series of procedures shown in FIGS. 15 (a) to 15 (d). However, FIG. 15 is in the reverse order of FIG. 14 and is the procedure used to remove the stent contained in the catheter tip 20 of insertion mechanism 1. In order to avoid repetition, the explanation given with respect to FIGS. 15 (a) to 15 (d) may be referred to.
A preferred embodiment of the holding mechanism 21 arranged at the catheter tip 20 of the insertion mechanism presented by the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.
FIG. 16A is a side view showing a preferred embodiment of the holding mechanism 21. FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. 16A, and shows an embodiment of the holding mechanism 21. On the other hand, FIG. 16 (c) shows a plan view of the distal holding region 52 of the stent 50. The distal holding region 52 can be held within the catheter tip 20 of the insertion mechanism presented by the present invention by the holding mechanism 21 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 16 (a).
As shown, the holding mechanism 21 has a substantially cylindrical body 21a. The axis of symmetry of the body 21a is on the longitudinal axis L of the catheter tip 20. In FIG. 16 (b), a total of three notches, or pockets 22, are placed evenly apart from each other in the material of the holding mechanism body 21a, preferably at the proximal end of the cylindrical body 21a. Has been done. The pockets 22 are connected by a groove 21b to the proximal end surface of the cylindrical body 21a.
The shape and size of the pocket 22a in the material of the body of the retention mechanism 21, i.e. the crown 21a, so that the retaining element 55 of the stent 50 that complements the pocket 22a can preferably be actively accommodated within each pocket 22a. Be selected. Therefore, each retaining element 55 of the stent 50 establishes a disengageable engagement with the pocket 22a formed in the crown 21a of the retaining mechanism 21.
In this regard, as shown in FIG. 16 (c), it is desirable that the retaining element 55 of the stent 50 be provided at the distal end 52 of the stent 50 in the form of a protruding element or protruding head (holding head). The retaining elements 55 of these stents 50 in the form of protruding elements are respectively connected to the positioning arch 54 (and retaining arch 53) of the stent 50 via the neck or connecting wing plate 56. When the retaining element 55 of the stent 50 is actively retained in the pocket 22a of the retaining mechanism 21, at least the distal end of the neck 56 is in the groove 22b.
Referring to FIG. 15b, the crown 21a of the retention mechanism 21 has a cylindrical shape, and each pocket 22a formed in the crown 21a of the retention mechanism 21 substantially represents a retention element 55 provided in the terminal region 52 of the stent 50. It has a shape suitable for accommodating. Therefore, the terminal region 52 of the stent 50 has no portion protruding from the surface S of the cylindrical crown portion 21a.
Further, the illustrated crown 21a of the retention mechanism 21 is provided over the terminal region 52 of the stent 50 by being placed on at least one pocket 22a formed within the crown 21a of the retention mechanism 21. Includes snap-on means 21b for releasably locking the retaining element 55 in at least one pocket 22a.
Here, returning to FIGS. 17 (a) to 17 (d), a preferred embodiment of the medical device 100 presented by the present invention will be described. As illustrated, the medical device 100 has an insertion mechanism 1 designed to penetrate and approach vertices, as already detailed with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. However, of course, the medical device could also be used with an insertion mechanism designed to penetrate and approach arteries.
In addition to the insertion mechanism 1, the medical device 100 has a self-expandable heart valve stent 50 housed in the catheter tip 20 of the insertion mechanism 1. An implanted heart replacement valve is attached to the self-expanding heart valve stent 50, which is not clearly shown in FIG. In the first functional mode of the insertion mechanism 1 shown in FIG. 17 (a), the stent 50 is in the minimized state because it is in the first program mode. On the other hand, in the implanted state, the stent 50 is designed to enter a second program mode. In the second program mode, the stent 50 has an expanded configuration.
By using the insertion mechanism 1 described above, the stent 50 gradually transitions from a first predetermined state to a second predetermined state, continuously, in the course of the implantation process, based on a programmed sequence of events. To do.
Specifically, the stent 50 used with the medical device 100 shown in FIG. 16 has a proximal fixation region 51 to which a cardiac substitute valve can be attached. The stent 50 also has a distal retention region 52 with three retention elements 55 in the form of retention heads. The holding element 55 can transition to a release type engagement with the holding mechanism 21 of the insertion mechanism 1, in particular with the pocket 22a formed in the crown 21a of the holding mechanism 21 of the insertion mechanism 1.
In addition to the proximal fixation region 51 and the distal retention region 52, the stent 50 also has three first functional parts 53 in the form of retention arches. The first functional component 53 accommodates a heart substitute valve and three second functional components 54 for mechanically positioning the stent 50 at the implantation site in the shape of a positioning arch. belongs to. Each positioning arch 54 of the stent 50 has a functional and structural design. Thereby, each positioning arch 54 engages with the remaining heart valve pocket during the implantation operation and with the stent 50 implanted, especially when the insertion mechanism 1 is in the second functional mode. .. Under these circumstances, each positioning arch 54 of the stent 50 cooperates with the retention arch 53. Also, in the terminal region 52 of the stent 50, each end 57 of each positioning arch 54 connects with the end 58 of the cooperating holding arch 53.
Specifically, each positioning arch 54 and the cooperating holding arch 53 of the stent 50 have a substantially U-shaped or V-shaped structure, respectively, and have a structure that is closed toward the proximal end 51 of the stent 50. doing.
The procedure involved in implanting the stent 50 will be described in detail here with reference to FIGS. 17 (a) to 17 (d). Specifically, FIG. 17 (a) shows the proximal end of the catheter mechanism 10 with the catheter tip 20 and the stent 50 housed in the catheter tip 20 with the insertion mechanism 1 in the first functional mode. Is shown. As already described in connection with FIG. 15 (a), when the insertion mechanism 1 shown in FIG. 17 (a) is in the first functional mode, the retaining head 55 of the stent 50 is the catheter tip 20 of the insertion mechanism 1. The retaining arch 53 of the stent, which is engaged with the pocket 22a formed in the crown 21a of the holding mechanism 21 of the stent, to which the heart substitute valve is attached, is the sleeve-shaped first housing portion of the catheter tip 20. Contained in 23. When the insertion mechanism 1 is in the first functional mode, the positioning arch 54 of the stent 50 is a sleeve-shaped first housing 23 at the catheter tip 20 and a sleeve-shaped second housing. It is between the part 24. The two first housings 23 and the second housing 24 of the catheter tip 20 have a design that allows them to expand and contract with each other. Specifically, the sleeve-shaped second housing 24 at the catheter tip 20 has a distal holding region 52 of the stent 50, a positioning arch 54 of the stent 50, and a sleeve-shaped second housing at the catheter tip 20. Covers the housing portion 23 of 1. The second housing 24 contains a proximal fixation region 51 of the stent 50 with a retention arch 53 and a cardiac substitute valve 60 (not shown in FIG. 17).
As described above, the material used for the stent is a shape memory material and has a shape memory effect. Therefore, the open shape of the stent 50 is evoked by the effect of external stimuli. Particularly preferably, the external stimulus is a preset switching temperature. This means that the stent material must be heated to a temperature above the switching temperature to cause a shape memory effect, thereby restoring the memorized shape of the stent 50. Considering the application in which the medical device 100 is used, the switching temperature is preferably a temperature between room temperature and the patient's body temperature. Therefore, when implanting the stent 50, the stent 50 is appropriately cooled by, for example, a syringe adapter 43 provided on the handle 30, and as a result, the catheter mechanism 10 and the catheter tip 20 of the insertion mechanism 1 are placed in saline solution or the like. It should be noted that it can be rinsed with a suitable coolant.
In the condition shown in FIG. 17 (a), the catheter tip 20 is fed anteriorly through the apex, i.e. from the apex, to the diseased or weakened, born heart valve.
Cooling is impeded when the catheter tip 20 with the contained stent 50 is moved forward and towards the desired implantation site. As a result, the stent 50 is heated to the patient's body temperature (36 ° C), which induces the shape memory effect of the stent material.
The resulting self-expanding property of the stent 50 increases the radial force acting on each component of the stent 50, in particular the positioning arch 54 and retention arch 53 of the stent. The retaining arch 53 of the stent 50 is still housed in the sleeve-shaped first housing 23 at the catheter tip 20 as it was originally. Therefore, the retaining arch 53 of the stent 50 and the proximal fixation region 51 of the stent 50 are retained in a minimized state despite the induced shape memory effect. Therefore, the positioning arch 54 of the stent 50 and the distal holding region 52 of the stent 50 are forcibly held in the folded state by the sleeve-shaped second housing portion 24.
Upon reaching the landing site, the positioning arch 54 of the stent 50 is released by appropriately stepwise releasing the stent 50 from the insertion mechanism 1. This is because the insertion mechanism 1 is in the first functional mode (see FIG. 15 (a)) to the second functional mode (see FIG. 15 (a)), as already detailed with reference to FIGS. 15 (a) and 15 (b). It happens by moving to 15 (b)). This is shown individually, for example, in Figure 17 (b). By manipulating the second operating means 34 of the handle 30 used with the insertion mechanism 1, the second housing portion 24 of the catheter tip 20 is directed against the retention mechanism 21 and the distal retention region 52 of the stent 50. , Proximal, that is, moved away from the handle 30. The resulting longitudinal stroke of the sleeve-shaped second housing 24 with respect to the catheter tip 20 holding mechanism 21 causes the positioning arch 54 of the stent 50 to have a sleeve-shaped sleeve at the catheter tip 20. A state occurs in which the housing portion 24 of 2 is no longer covered. As a result, due to the self-expanding property of the positioning arch 54 of the stent 50, a radial force acting in the radial direction acts, so that the positioning arch 54 opens. The open positioning arch 54 of the stent 50 is then placed in the remaining heart valve pocket. As described above, the catheter tip 20 of the insertion mechanism 1 can rotate around the longitudinal axis L of the catheter tip 20. This facilitates the positioning of the open positioning arch 54 of the stent 50 in the heart valve pocket 70 that was created with it.
Once the partially dilated stent 50 is placed in the pocket of the heart valve where it still remains, the insertion mechanism 1 moves from the second functional mode shown in FIG. 17 (b) to the third functional mode shown in FIG. 17 (c). Switch to functional mode. The method of switching the insertion mechanism 1 from the second functional mode to the third functional mode has already been described in detail with reference to FIG. 15 (c). FIG. 17 (c) shows how the proximal fixation region 51 of the stent 50 is released from the first housing 23 of the catheter tip 20 when the insertion mechanism 1 is in the third functional mode. The released retention arch 53 and proximal fixation region 51 of the stent 50, released when the insertion mechanism 1 is in the third functional mode, are opened by a radial force acting in the radial direction and attached to the retention arch 53. Open the heart substitute valve that has been opened by opening the umbrella.
In the state shown in FIG. 17 (c), a check may be performed to confirm that the already widened cardiac substitute valve functions normally. Once the function of the cardiac substitute valve 60 has been checked, the insertion mechanism 1 has a third functional mode (see FIG. 17 (c)) by another operation of the second operating means 34 of the handle 30 of the insertion mechanism 1. Can be switched from to the fourth functional mode (see Figure 17 (d)). The method of switching the insertion mechanism 1 to the fourth functional mode has already been described with reference to FIG. 15 (d). FIG. 17 (d) shows the effect exerted on the stent 50 by switching the insertion mechanism 1 to the fourth functional mode.
When the second housing portion 24 of the catheter tip 20 moves further in the proximal direction, that is, in the direction away from the handle 30, the distal end portion of the sleeve-shaped second housing portion 24 of the catheter tip 20 is released. Move further in the proximal direction. As a result, the distal end portion of the second housing portion 24 no longer covers the pocket 22a formed in the crown portion 21a of the holding mechanism 21. Therefore, the distal holding region 52 of the stent 50 is released from being held by the catheter tip 20 so that the distal holding region 52 of the stent 50 also expands in the radial direction. This will open the stent 50 completely.
In checking the function of the already expanded cardiac substitute valve in the third functional mode of insertion mechanism 1, the implanted cardiac substitute valve cannot function or fully function. If is confirmed, or if the stent 50 is not or cannot be placed optimally at the implantation site, by moving the cooperating housings 23, 24 of the catheter tip 20 in the opposite direction. , The insertion mechanism 1 can be switched back to the second functional mode and then back to the first functional mode. As a result, the parts of the stent 50 that have already been released and expanded can be returned to the housing portions 23 and 24 of the catheter tip 20. Thereby, the catheter tip 20 and the stent 50 recontained in the catheter tip 20 can be removed from the patient's body. By returning the stent into the catheter, damage to the vascular system during removal of the stent from the body is minimized.
As shown in FIG. 17 (d), when the stent 50 is implanted, the retaining arch 53 of the stent 50 opens radially. While the stent 50 is implanted, the radial force acting on the retaining arch 53 and the distal retention region 52 of the stent 50 presses the stent 50 radially against the vessel wall. This radial force ensures that the stent 50 with the cardiac substitute valve attached to the proximal fixation region 51 is securely anchored at the implantation site. This radial force also substantially ensures a secure seal by the cardiac substitute valve in the proximal fixation region 51 of the stent 50.
When the heart valve is implanted, the remaining heart valve is pressed against the vessel wall by the self-expanding property of the stent 50. Specifically, a piece of tissue from an inadequate or narrowed heart valve pocket is secured between the positioning arch 54 and the retention arch 53 by dilation of the stent 50. This allows for optimal positioning and stable fixation of the cardiac substitute valve located in the proximal fixation region 51 of the stent 50.
The stent design described above, which works with the insertion mechanism 1 to form the basis of the medical device 100, is particularly suitable for insertion into the patient's body with minimal invasiveness using the insertion mechanism 1.
The solution presented by the present invention stands out in that it is an improved insertion mechanism with a stent that can be accommodated within the catheter tip of insertion mechanism 1. The stent may be inserted and optimally implanted by penetrating the artery or penetrating the apex using a special insertion mechanism. Thereby, a cardiac substitute valve sewn into the proximal fixation region of the stent can serve the function of an inadequate, narrowed or calcified, born heart valve. The radial force increased by the self-expanding properties of the stent substantially guarantees that the stent is securely anchored in a given area of the aorta. The catheter mechanism of the insertion mechanism 1 is preferably an 18 to 21F insertion unit. This insertion unit is compatible with 21F insertion gates and 0.035 inch guide wires. The length of the catheter mechanism should be at least 100 cm for the insertion mechanism 1 designed for penetrating arterial approach. The refracting mechanism, which may be optionally provided in the proximal region of the gate mechanism 13, is preferably about 30 cm.
The solution presented by the present invention is based on a metal internal prosthesis 1 with a heart substitute valve. The cardiac substitute valve can be sewn to the internal prosthesis 1 or is sewn to the internal prosthesis 1. Heart replacement valves are designed for use in treating heart valve diseases that require replacement of the remaining heart valve. The heart valve stent 1 (internal prosthesis) is introduced in the opposite direction and is therefore percutaneously placed in the desired position in vivo and is responsible for the function of an inadequate or diseased born heart valve. Good. The radial force generated by the self-expanding properties of the internal prosthesis 1 substantially guarantees secure fixation in a given area of the aorta.
A means of accommodating a heart valve for implanting a medical device, including an internal prosthesis 1 for positioning and fixing the heart valve in the patient's aorta, in the body, especially at the location of the aortic heart valve in need of replacement. Will be described with an internal prosthesis 1 made from the base of nitinol. The ready-to-use medical device presented by the present invention is self-expanding with a valve-supporting segment, a heart valve, and a system for introducing the stent 1 to a desired location within the body. It consists of parts containing the Nitinol stent 1.
From a design point of view, the internal prosthesis 1 has three positioning arches for positioning and immobilizing the medical device in the patient's blood vessels, and a retaining wing plate for accommodating / mounting the cardiac substitute valve, for example by thread. Has. From a functional point of view, the internal prosthesis 1 exerts a strong radial force in the second dilated state to ensure that the medical device is anchored in the aorta. The eye 30 is preferably located in the internal prosthesis 1 or the distal retention area of the medical device. The eye 30 can be disengaged from the corresponding component of the introductory catheter mechanism.
The material used to induce the shape memory effect of the internal prosthesis 1 has a switching temperature between 20 ° C and 36 ° C. The switching temperature is preferably 22 ° C. Therefore, in the cooled state, the medical device can be introduced into the patient's body using the 21F introduction system.
With respect to the exact size of the internal prosthesis 1, the internal prosthesis 1 is designed to accommodate a prosthetic heart valve with a valve diameter of 21 mm to 25 mm. In that case, in particular, the distal retention region 2 of the internal prosthesis 1 has a diameter about 10% to about 15% larger than the diameter of the valve. This is to ensure that the medical device can be fixed.
The medical device presented by the present invention has an internal prosthesis that can be easily visualized by X-ray. Visualization of medical devices can be achieved by marking the proximal and / or terminal regions of the internal prosthesis, if desired.
The materials used for the internal prosthesis 1 have been tested and tested for implantation, such as nitinol and tantalum. Two different stent sizes are currently preferred with respect to the size of the internal prosthesis. Their size, along with the diameters of the proximal fixation region and the distal retention region, are shown in Table 1 below.
<tables num="1"><img file="JP5114548B2_D0001.tif" /></tables>
By applying proper finishing, especially tempering, it is possible to achieve different sizes of stents, starting with the two currently preferred stent sizes mentioned above.
The present invention is not limited to the features described in relation to the preferred embodiments shown in each figure. Any combination of features described herein is conceivable.
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Every citation, both ways
| Document | Relation | Office |
|---|---|---|
| JP2002536115A | Cites | Japan |
| WO2004062980A1 | Cites | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) |
| WO2006070372A1 | Cites | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) |
| JP2007536003A | Cites | Japan |
| JP4636794B2 | Cites | Japan |
| JP2003518984A | Cites | Japan |
| JP2008514345A | Cites | Japan |
| JP2007534381A | Cites | Japan |
| JP4912395B1 | Cites | Japan |
60 members in 9 offices
Priority claims29
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11785072 | United States of America | – | |
| 202007005491 | Germany | U | |
| 202007005491 | Germany | U | |
| 2020070054912 | Germany | – | |
| 78507207 | United States of America | A | |
| 78507207 | United States of America | A | |
| 07009728 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A | |
| 07009728 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A | |
| 070097282 | European Patent Office (EPO) | – | |
| 07110318 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A | |
| 07110318 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A | |
| 071103188 | European Patent Office (EPO) | – | |
| 11812095 | United States of America | – | |
| 81209507 | United States of America | A | |
| 81209507 | United States of America | A | |
| 2007061117 | European Patent Office (EPO) | W | |
| 2007061117 | European Patent Office (EPO) | W | |
| 2007785072 | – | – | – |
| 2007812095 | – | – | – |
| 200707009728 | – | – | – |
| 200707110318 | – | – | – |
| 20072007005491 | – | – | – |
| 2007061117 | – | – | – |
| DE20072005491U | – | – | – |
| EP20070009728 | – | – | – |
| EP20070110318 | – | – | – |
| US20070785072 | – | – | – |
| US20070812095 | – | – | – |
| WO2007EP61117 | – | – | – |
Members60
| Document | Office | Kind | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE202007005491U1 | Germany | U1 | |
| EP1980220A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| US2008255660A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| US2008255661A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| AU2007351026A1 | Australia | A1 | |
| CA2682564A1 | Canada | A1 | |
| CA2822636A1 | Canada | A1 | |
| WO2008125153A1 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A1 | |
| AU2008250552A1 | Australia | A1 | |
| CA2683193A1 | Canada | A1 | |
| WO2008138584A1 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A1 | |
| EP2150210A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| EP2155115A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| US2010049303A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| IL201218A0 | Israel | A0 | |
| IL201329A0 | Israel | A0 | |
| CN101720211A | China | A | |
| CN101742975A | China | A | |
| US2010174362A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| JP2010523234A | Japan | A | |
| JP2010526609A | Japan | A | |
| US2011015616A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
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| US7914575B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| US2011238159A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| AU2008250552B2 | Australia | B2 | |
| AU2007351026B2 | Australia | B2 | |
| AU2012203901A1 | Australia | A1 | |
| IL201218A | Israel | A | |
| IL221076A0 | Israel | A0 | |
| CN102836020A | China | A | |
| IL201329A | Israel | A | |
| JP5114548B2This record | Japan | B2 | |
| CN101742975B | China | B | |
| CN101720211B | China | B | |
| JP5220101B2 | Japan | B2 | |
| AU2012203901B2 | Australia | B2 | |
| CA2682564C | Canada | C | |
| EP2659861A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| US8685085B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| US2014222143A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| EP2810619A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| US9138315B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| CN102836020B | China | B | |
| US9295551B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| US9339386B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| US9445896B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| EP2150210B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| US2016296326A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| EP3150171A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| US9918835B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| EP2155115B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| US2019008637A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| EP2659861B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| EP2810619B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| US10543084B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| US2020179110A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| US11357624B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| US2022304803A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| EP3150171B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 |
21 legal events, as the office reported them to INPADOC
Over the term
Point at a mark for the eventEvents
| Event | Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Receipt of annual feesJAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R250R250 | R250 | |
| Receipt of annual feesJAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R250R250 | R250 | |
| Receipt of annual feesJAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R250R250 | R250 | |
| Receipt of annual feesJAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R250R250 | R250 | |
| Receipt of annual feesJAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R250R250 | R250 | |
| Receipt of annual feesJAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R250R250 | R250 | |
| Receipt of annual feesJAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R250R250 | R250 | |
| Receipt of annual feesJAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R250R250 | R250 | |
| Receipt of annual feesJAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R250R250 | R250 | |
| Receipt of annual feesJAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R250R250 | R250 | |
| Receipt of annual feesJAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R250R250 | R250 | |
| Renewal fee payment (event date is renewal date of database)FPAY | FPAY | |
| Certificate of patent or registration of utility modelJAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R150R150 | R150 | |
| Certificate of patent or registration of utility modelJAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: R150R150 | R150 | |
| First payment of annual fees (during grant procedure)JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A61A61 | A61 | |
| Written decision to grant a patent or to grant a registration (utility model)JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A01A01 | A01 | |
| Written decision to grant a patent or to grant a registration (utility model)JAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A01A01 | A01 | |
| Decision of grant or rejection writtenTRDD | TRDD | |
| Request for written amendment filedJAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A523A521 | A521 | |
| Notification of reasons for refusalJAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A131A131 | A131 | |
| Written request for application examinationJAPANESE INTERMEDIATE CODE: A621A621 | A621 |
Numbers
- Publication
- 5114548
- Publication, DOCDB
- 5114548
- Publication, EPODOC
- JP5114548B
- Application
- 2010502428
- Application, DOCDB
- 2010502428
- Application, EPODOC
- JP20100502428
Titles2
- Japanese
- 心臓弁の機能不全または狭窄症を治療するための医療用デバイス
- English
- Medical device for treating heart valve dysfunction or stenosis
Classification
- CPC, 4
- A61F2/2436
- A61F2/2418
- A61F2220/0016
- A61F2230/0054
- IPC, 2
- A61F2 24
- A61F2 82
