Patent ID: 8303622
Filing Date: 2012-11-06
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for attaching a tether between a leaflet of a patient's heart valve and another portion of the patient's heart, comprising: an elongated shaft structure insertable into the patient's heart from outside of the patient's body, the shaft structure including first and second jaw surfaces near a distal end of the shaft structure that are movable relative to one another to admit tissue of the leaflet between the jaw surfaces and to releasably clamp the tissue between the jaw surfaces; a handle attached to a proximal portion of the shaft structure and configured to remain outside the patient's body at all times, the handle including an actuator for controlling motion of the jaw surfaces relative to one another, and a display for indicating where the tissue is between the jaw surfaces, the display being integrated into the handle; a sensor for detecting tissue between the jaw surfaces, the sensor including at least one pin that extends axially along an interior of the shaft structure from the handle to an aperture in the first jaw surface, the at least one pin having a free end, an extended condition in which the free end extends from the first jaw surface by at least a minimum distance, and a recessed condition in which the free end extends from the first jaw surface by less than the minimum distance; and circuitry operable to detect whether the at least one pin has reached the extended condition and to indicate a result of the detection on the display.