TISSUE FIXATION DEVICES AND METHODS

摘要

The present disclosure describes tissue gripping devices, systems, and methods for gripping mitral valve tissue during treatment of a mitral valve and while a tissue fixation device is implanted in the mitral valve. The tissue gripping device includes a flexible member and one or more tissue gripping members coupled to one or more arms of the flexible member. The flexible member is formed from a shape-memory material, such as nitinol, and the tissue gripping member(s) are formed from a material that is more rigid than the shape-memory material. The tissue gripping member(s) are attached to the flexible member by threading or looping suture lines around and/or through the tissue gripping member(s) and the flexible member and/or by applying a cover material to the tissue gripping device to hold the tissue gripping member(s) against the flexible member.

主权项

1. A tissue gripping device comprising:
a flexible member formed from a shape-memory material, the flexible member comprising a base section and an arm, the arm having a first end connected to the base section, a free end extending away from the base section, and an attachment surface disposed between the joining end and the free end; and at least one tissue gripping member formed from a second material, the second material being more rigid than the shape-memory material, the tissue gripping member comprising a mating surface coupled to the attachment surface of the arm to join the tissue gripping member to the flexible member, and a tissue gripping surface disposed opposite the mating surface, the tissue gripping surface including a frictional element configured to resist movement of tissue away from the tissue gripping surface after the tissue has contacted the tissue gripping surface.