Patent ID: 8062313
Filing Date: 2011-11-22
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for securing heart valve leaflet tissue, comprising: a clip having a closed state, an open state, and an intermediate state, wherein the clip comprises a first pair of arms and a second pair of arms, wherein the first pair of arms comprises a first arm and a second arm, and the second pair of arms comprises a third arm and a fourth arm, wherein each arm has a first end and a second end, wherein the first arm and second arm are substantially coplanar and are pivotally connected to each other at said first ends thereof, wherein the third arm and fourth arm are substantially coplanar and are pivotally connected to each other at said first ends thereof, wherein each arm is unattached at said second end thereof, wherein at least one pair of arms, when the clip is in the open state, forms a substantially wide “V” shape configured to simultaneously receive heart valve leaflet tissue comprising middle portions of leaflet edges from two separate and adjacent heart valve leaflets in a beating heart, wherein the clip comprises a plurality of sharp tips extending from at least two arms of the first pair and the second pair of arms, wherein the sharp tips are configured to engage and grab valve leaflets, wherein when the clip is in the closed state the first pair of arms are substantially parallel to each other and the second pair of arms are substantially parallel to each other; a delivery catheter having a distal portion and a proximal portion and a longitudinal axis, the delivery catheter distal portion configured to releasably hold the clip, to selectively hold and maintain the clip in the open state with the clip configured to receive heart tissue accessible from outside the catheter, and to selectively hold and maintain the clip in the intermediate state, wherein the delivery catheter is configured to releasably hold the clip in the intermediate state with the clip substantially aligned with the delivery catheter longitudinal axis; and wherein the clip is releasably secured to the delivery catheter distal portion, and the clip and delivery catheter distal portion are configured for percutaneous introduction into a patient's heart, and the delivery catheter mechanically holds the clip in the open state with the second end of each arm positioned proximally of the first end of the same arm with respect to the catheter.