APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR CUTTING A TISSUE BRIDGE AND/OR REMOVING A HEART VALVE CLIP OR SUTURE

摘要

A medical device (1;70) for safely and effectively removing a clip or a suture from a heart valve is operable in association with a guidewire (16; 84) for positioning the device in proximity to the heart valve. The apparatus may include a blade (26) for cutting a tissue bridge (5) including the clip and an arrangement for removing the tissue bridge from the heart valve. The apparatus may include two arms (22, 24) that secure the clip. The blade may be deployed to core out a central portion of a tissue bridge, including the clip or the suture, from the heart valve. The blade may be activated by an actuator (3). A retrieval member may be configured to capture the tissue bridge and the clip or suture after excision by the blade.