Heart valve leaflet locator

Abstract

Disclosed are methods and devices for determining valve leaflet orientation. A catheter is provided with a conformable, radiopaque target. The target is deployed within a valve, such as the mitral valve. The conformable target conforms to the coaptation axis in response to closing of the valve leaflets. That coaptation axis may then be visualized, and utilized to determine information about valve operation, or to assist in placement of devices in the vicinity of the valve.

1 . A leaflet orientation device for determining the coaptive axis of a valve, comprising: 
 an elongate tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end; and    a conformable radiopaque target carried by the distal end of the tubular body;    wherein the radiopaque target is sized for advancement into the valve and is sufficiently conformable to reconfigure in response to opening and closing of the valve.    
     
     
         2 . The leaflet orientation device of  claim 1 , wherein the radiopaque target is configured to align with coaptive edges of the valve leaflets.  
     
     
         3 . The leaflet orientation device of  claim 1 , wherein the radiopaque target comprises a plurality of wires.  
     
     
         4 . The leaflet orientation device of  claim 1 , wherein the radiopaque target comprises a collapsible basket.  
     
     
         5 . The leaflet orientation device of  claim 1 , wherein the radiopaque target comprises a balloon.  
     
     
         6 . The leaflet orientation device of  claim 1 , wherein the radiopaque target is axially movable with respect to the tubular body.  
     
     
         7 . The leaflet orientation device of  claim 6 , wherein the radiopaque target is movable between a retracted position within the tubular body for transluminal advancement toward the valve and an extended position for determining the coaptive axis of the valve.  
     
     
         8 . A device for assessing the functionality of a heart valve, comrprising: 
 an elongate tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end; and    a radiopaque target extending from the distal end of the tubular body, the target being conformable for conforming to the coaption axis of the valve and moveable in response to opening and closing of the valve;    wherein the radiopaque target is observable when the heart valve is closed for evaluating valve function.    
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the radiopaque target is axially movable relative to the tubular body and is collapsible for containment within the tubular body for transluminal delivery to the heart valve.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the radiopaque target is sized for use with a mitral valve.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the radiopaque target comprises a plurality of wires.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising a guidewire and wherein the tubular body includes a guidewire lumen for slidably receiving the guidewire.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising a manifold coupled to the proximal end of the tubular body.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , further comprising a control member disposed on the manifold and a control wire connecting the control member and the radiopaque target.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the control member is moveable for advancing the radiopaque target relative to the tubular body.