throbber
PERCUTANEOUS AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT
`This proposal for a project
`to develop a
`percutaneous aortic valve replacement is divided into
`seven sections. The section on anatomy describes the
`native aortic valve and its function. The following
`section on the valve's dynamics and physics discusses the
`implications of the anatomy for the valve’s successful
`function. The sections on aortic stenosis and
`regurgitation describes valve dysfunction and the section
`on surgical therapy discusses current surgical
`replacement therapy and its problems. The final two
`sections outline the study objectives and stages. The
`purpose of the study is to develop a percutaneous
`placement
`technique and prosthetic valve that would mimic
`the function of the native valve and avoid problems
`associated with current methods for surgical replacement.
`
`I. Aortic Valve Anatomy
`The aortic valve directs the flow of blood from the
`left ventricle into the systemic circulation through the
`aortic artery.
`It accomplishes this function by opening
`during the contraction of the left ventricle and closing
`when the left ventricle relaxes.
`three leaflet-
`In a normally functioning valve,
`shaped cusps open widely to allow the unimpeded
`transference of blood, and then close tightly, not
`allowing any blood back into the left ventricle.
`Significant restriction to blood flow is called stenosis,
`and blood leakage back into the left ventricle is called
`regurgitation.
`
`NORRED EXHIBIT 2045 - Page 1
`Medtronic, Inc., Medtronic Vascular, Inc.,
`& Medtronic Corevalve, LLC
`
`v. Troy R. Norred, MD.
`Case |PR2014-00110
`
`

`

`% A a
`
`
`
`Figure 1
`
`The aortic valve is a tricuspid structure. Each cusp
`folds up toward the aorta during the contraction phase
`and then folds back against the others in the relaxation
`phase.
`[Figure 1] However, it is important to understand
`that the structure of the aortic valve is complex, with
`integral relationships beyond its three-leaflet valve
`structure.
`For instance, each leaflet sits directly
`opposite an out pouching of the proximal aorta. This
`dilated segment, called the sinus of valsalva,
`is part of
`an anatomic relationship that assists the repetitive
`opening and closing of the valve while minimizing the
`stress on any point within this valvular apparatus.
`Further,
`the proximal portion of the aortic valve is
`highly elastic, which allows it to dilate during the
`contraction phase of the left ventricle.
`Moreover,
`these valvular structures are integrally
`related to the coronary arteries, which supply blood to
`the heart.
`These arteries, as represented in Figure 2,
`are located within 2 of the three sinuses. Thus, each
`component plays a vital role in the function and
`durability of the valve.
`The first components of the aortic valve I would
`like to discuss are the leaflets.
`As stated,
`the number of leaflets within a normal
`aortic valve is three. Any congenital variation in the
`
`NORRED EXHIBIT 2045 - Page 2
`
`

`

`number of leaflets causes significant problems with
`function. When there are less than three valves,
`the
`valve undergoes rapid stenosis and restriction. An
`individual with a unicusped valve rarely survives beyond
`the first year of life. Among individuals with congenital
`alterations in the valve number,
`the most frequently
`encountered is a bicuspid aortic valve.
`Individuals with
`this variation in valve number can survive into
`adulthood. However,
`this valve combination becomes more
`and more stenotic and regurgitant by the 4th and 5th
`decade, which usually results in the need for surgical
`replacement.
`(See figures 3 and 4). Rarely, an individual
`with a quadricusped valve will survive into adulthood.
`This alteration in design also results in marked
`stenosis.
`The anatomy of a normal aortic valve (three cusps,
`sinuses, aortic arteries) permits the dispersion of
`pressure over a larger surface area in the structure.
`
`30
`
`3O
`
`20
`
`Figure 4.1
`
`This dispersion resists the exhaustion of any one
`component of the valve. Moreover,
`the curvature of the
`
`NORRED EXHIBIT 2045 - Page 3
`
`

`

`cusp structure allows the leaflet to reverse curvature,
`an ability needed in order to fold and allow the maximum
`opening diameter during contraction. Finally,
`a curved
`design allows a redundancy in the coaptation area of the
`leaflets.
`The area of coaptation is the valve edge that
`must meet and close in order to prevent regurgitation.
`Hence, both the number of leaflets and their overall
`shape is important
`in the function and durability of the
`valve.
`
`the valve leaflets have a
`As mentioned earlier,
`direct relationship to the sinuses of valsalva.
`The
`sinus diameter is almost
`twice that of the aorta.
`
`/
`
`(A)
`
`(B)
`
`Figure4.2
`
`This cavity plays an important role in the mechanism of
`valve closure.
`
`An oblique section through
`[referenced Mano Thubrikar]
`the leaflet~sinus assembly shows this remarkable
`relationship (see Figure 4). This section reveals that
`the sinus and leaflet form a circle when the valve is in
`a closed position.
`Furthermore, it is angulated to a
`degree as to allow pressure
`transduction along the
`entire surface of this unit. All this suggests that the
`shape of the leaflet sinus assembly is important
`in
`determining how stresses are developed within the valve.
`
`this
`without straining the aortic valve. Finally,
`relationship of the sinuses and valve allows for the
`efficient flow of blood in the coronary ostia.
`
`NORRED EXHIBIT 2045 - Page 4
`
`

`

`the aortic root, has been
`Another structure,
`The
`observed to expand during ventricular contraction.
`dilatation of this structure reduces tension, which in
`turn reduces resistance to flow, as predicted by
`Poisselles‘ law, which describes the relationship of
`resistance to vessel diameter,
`length of tube and fluid
`viscosity. This phenomenon also allows for complete
`opening of the aortic valve.
`Interestingly, when the
`cusps open, a circular dimension is maintained that is at
`least the same diameter as before contraction(Medical
`Engineering & Physics 19(8): 696—710,l997). This
`behavior reduces circumferential stress on the valve and
`generates a reduced Reynolds shear stress number
`(the
`number used to evaluate the amount of stress in a
`confined fluid system).
`In a similar manner,
`the inner
`lining of the cusp of the valve,
`the lamina
`ventricularis, extends into the ventricular myocardium
`when the valve is in an open position.
`A confluence of
`fibers at the base, called the fibrous coronet,
`is a
`distinct structure separating the elastic fibers above
`and the myocardium below. However,
`this structure is not
`static.
`It is a very dynamic structure, which bends and
`molds to the forces exerted from the ventricular
`myocardium (Cardiovascular Research, 22,7,1988)(Journal
`of Biomechanics33 (6): 653~658, 2000 June).
`In a fashion
`similar to the aortic root,
`this structure allows the
`valvular apparatus to open with the least amount of
`strain.
`The coronary arteries arise within or above the
`sinuses of valsalva.
`The blood flow to the heart occurs
`during ventricular diastole. At this time,
`the cusps of
`the aortic valve are closed, and as mentioned,
`the
`diastolic forces of the blood against the valve are
`dispersed along the valve and adjacent sinus.
`The
`opening, or ostia, of the coronary arteries, when located
`near the apex and middle of the sinuses, allows for least
`turbulent, most
`laminar flow characteristics.
`
`NORRED EXHIBIT 2045 - Page 5
`
`

`

`
`
`Sinutubuiar junctio'n
`
`Left coronary
`sinus
`
`Right .coronary
`Sim-IS
`
`Non—coronary
`sinus
`
`Figure 1-6. Coronary Artery Orifice—Variations. Diagram showing the location oi the coro—
`nary orifices ln a series of 23 normal heart specimens. The luminal aspect of the aorta is
`displayed. The markers represent tenths of the horizontal and vertical measurements in the
`sinuses. (Adapted from ref. 3.)
`
`Figure 5
`
`(This optimal location will be important to keep in mind
`when designing a replacement valve because this
`relationship promotes the greatest amount of flow with
`the least amount of resistance.)
`In disease states where
`these relationships are lost, it has been proposed that
`this loss could increase stress at the coronary ostia.
`
`[The Aortic Valve CRC press].
`These integral relationships are not only seen in
`the gross anatomy of the valvular apparatus. The
`microanatomy shows the integral nature of these
`structures as well.
`The amount of elastin shown by
`staining methods is in a higher concentration here than
`anywhere else in the body( American Journal of Pathology
`445 (7): 1931). This concentration allows a greater
`amount of dilatation of the structures in this area.
`
`
`
`Figure 6
`
`NORRED EXHIBIT 2045 - Page 6
`
`

This document is available on Docket Alarm but you must sign up to view it.


Or .

Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.

After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.

Accept $ Charge
throbber

Still Working On It

This document is taking longer than usual to download. This can happen if we need to contact the court directly to obtain the document and their servers are running slowly.

Give it another minute or two to complete, and then try the refresh button.

throbber

A few More Minutes ... Still Working

It can take up to 5 minutes for us to download a document if the court servers are running slowly.

Thank you for your continued patience.

This document could not be displayed.

We could not find this document within its docket. Please go back to the docket page and check the link. If that does not work, go back to the docket and refresh it to pull the newest information.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

You need a Paid Account to view this document. Click here to change your account type.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

Set your membership status to view this document.

With a Docket Alarm membership, you'll get a whole lot more, including:

  • Up-to-date information for this case.
  • Email alerts whenever there is an update.
  • Full text search for other cases.
  • Get email alerts whenever a new case matches your search.

Become a Member

One Moment Please

The filing “” is large (MB) and is being downloaded.

Please refresh this page in a few minutes to see if the filing has been downloaded. The filing will also be emailed to you when the download completes.

Your document is on its way!

If you do not receive the document in five minutes, contact support at support@docketalarm.com.

Sealed Document

We are unable to display this document, it may be under a court ordered seal.

If you have proper credentials to access the file, you may proceed directly to the court's system using your government issued username and password.


Access Government Site

We are redirecting you
to a mobile optimized page.





Document Unreadable or Corrupt

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket

We are unable to display this document.

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket