Patent ID: 11969346
Assignee: EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATION
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 7:
8. An assembly comprising:
a heart valve coaptation device comprising a clip configured to independently capture only a single leaflet of a native heart valve, be released from the catheter and remain attached to the single leaflet when the catheter is withdrawn, the clip comprising:
an inner frame member comprising curved support frame members, wherein the inner frame member is configured to be positioned on an atrial side of the leaflet of the heart valve;
a biocompatible covering disposed over the inner frame member to increase a surface area of the curved support frame members;
an outer frame member coupled to the inner frame member, wherein the outer frame member has a leaflet engagement portion is configured to be positioned on a ventricular side of the leaflet of the heart valve;

a catheter releasably coupled to the inner frame member;
an actuating connector comprising a flexible piece of material attached to the leaflet engagement portion of outer frame member;
wherein applying tension to the flexible piece of material of the actuating connector pulls the leaflet engagement portion of the outer frame member distally to form an opening between the leaflet engagement portion of the outer frame member and the inner frame member that is configured to accept the leaflet of the heart valve; and
wherein releasing the tension on the flexible piece of material of the actuating connector allows resiliency of the outer frame member to move the leaflet engagement portion of the outer frame member proximally and close and thereby capture the leaflet of the heart valve between the inner frame member and the leaflet engagement portion of the outer frame member with the inner frame member on the atrial side of the leaflet of the heart valve and the leaflet engagement portion of the outer frame member on the ventricular side of the leaflet.