Patent ID: 7803168
Filing Date: 2010-09-28
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M,A61N

Abstract:
1. A method for treating a cardiac valve having one or more calcific sites, said method comprising: creating an embolic containment region over a single valve leaflet having a calcific site while the remaining leaflets continue to function; and delivering energy to the calcific site to disrupt calcifications at said site under conditions expected to create emboli which are contained in said containment region, wherein creating the embolic containment region comprises positioning a structure over the region, wherein the structure does not span an associated blood vessel, wherein positioning the structure comprises approximating the structure against the periphery of the single valve leaflet, wherein delivering energy comprises rotating an element within the structure to mechanically remove the calcifications without delivering electrical current to the valve leaflet, and wherein the structure delivers energy to said single valve leaflet only within said containment region.