Patent ID: 11957358
Assignee: EVALVE, INC.
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 0:
1. A repair device configured for approximating valve leaflets at a targeted regurgitant heart valve and for being left behind as an implant to hold the valve leaflets together in a coapted position, the repair device comprising:
a shaft;
a distal gripping element having a medial end pivotally coupled to the shaft and extending to a lateral end;
a proximal gripping element having a medial end pivotally coupled to the shaft and extending to a lateral end, wherein the proximal gripping element is configured to cooperate with the distal gripping element to grasp targeted leaflet tissue therebetween; and
an adjustable arm coupled at a first end to the distal gripping element by a hinge configured to rotatably extend the adjustable arm from a retracted position to an extended position upon actuation, wherein the adjustable arm has a second end opposite the first end and a grasping surface disposed therebetween, and
wherein, in the retracted position, the second end of the adjustable arm is positioned medially relative to the lateral end of the distal gripping element, and, in the extended position, the second end of the adjustable arm is positioned laterally beyond the lateral end of the distal gripping element and the grasping surface of the adjustable arm is configured to engage valve tissue such that, when the repair device is implanted, the grasping surface cooperates with the proximal gripping element to grasp the targeted valve tissue therebetween.