Fixed length anchor and pull mitral valve device and method

Abstract

A device affects the mitral valve annulus geometry of a heart. The device includes a first anchor configured to be positioned within and anchored to the coronary sinus of the heart adjacent the mitral valve annulus within the heart and a second anchor configured to be positioned within the coronary sinus of the heart proximal to the first anchor and adjacent the mitral valve annulus within the heart. The second anchor, when deployed, anchors against distal movement and is moveable in a proximal direction. The device further includes a connecting member having a fixed length permanently attached to the first and second anchors. As a result, when the first and second anchors are within the coronary sinus with the first anchor anchored in the coronary sinus, the second anchor may be displaced proximally to affect the geometry of the mitral valve annulus and released to maintain the effect on the mitral valve geometry.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE [0001] This application is a continuation application of Ser. No. 10 / 066,426 filed Jan. 30, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and to which application we claim priority under 35 USC § 120.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention generally relates to a device and method for treating dilated cardiomyopathy of a heart. The present invention more particularly relates to a device and method for reshaping the mitral valve annulus. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The human heart generally includes four valves. Of these valves, a most critical one is known as the mitral valve. The mitral valve is located in the left atrial ventricular opening between the left atrium and left ventricle. The mitral valve is intended to prevent regurgitation of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium when the left ventricle contracts. In preventing blood regurgitation the mitral valve must be able to withstand considerable back pressure as ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018] The present invention further provides a device for affecting mitral valve annulus geometry of a heart. The device includes first anchor means for anchoring in the coronary sinus of the heart adjacent the mitral valve annulus, and second anchor means for being deployed within the heart proximal to the first anchor means and adjacent the mitral valve annulus, and connecting means having a fixed length and permanently connecting the first anchor means to the second anchor means. As a result, when the first and second anchor means are within the heart with the first anchor means anchored in the coronary sinus, the second anchor means may be displaced proximally for cooperating with the first anchor means and the connecting means for affecting the geometry of the mitral valve annulus and released for maintaining the effect on the mitral valve geometry.

[0020] The system further includes a catheter having a distal end, a proximal end and a lumen that receives the device, the catheter being guidable into the coronary sinus adjacent to the mitral valve annulus and deploying the first and second anchors of the device within the coronary sinus adjacent to the mitral valve annulus, and a tether releasably coupled to the second anchor and extending proximally through the lumen and out of the catheter proximal end. As a result, when the first anchor is deployed by the catheter in the coronary sinus, the second anchor may be displaced proximally by proximally pulling on the tether to affect the geometry of the mitral valve annulus and thereafter released for deployment to maintain the effect on the mitral valve geometry.

[0021] The present invention further provides a method of affecting mitral valve annulus geometry in a heart. The method includes the steps of fixing a first anchor within the coronary sinus of the heart adjacent to the mitral valve annulus, positioning a second anchor within the coronary sinus adjacent to the mitral valve annulus and proximal to the first anchor, fixing a fixed length connecting member between the first anchor and the second anchor, displacing the second anchor proximally to affect the geometry of the mitral valve annulus, and releasing the second anchor from further proximal displacement to maintain the effect on the mitral valve geometry.

Problems solved by technology

The normal functioning of the mitral valve in preventing regurgitation can be impaired by dilated cardiomyopathy caused by disease or certain natural defects.

This can result in deformation of the mitral valve geometry to cause ineffective closure of the mitral valve during left ventricular contraction.

Such ineffective closure results in leakage through the mitral valve and regurgitation.

Diseases such as bacterial inflammations of the heart or heart failure can cause the aforementioned distortion or dilation of the mitral valve annulus.

While the replacement of the entire valve eliminates the immediate problem associated with a dilated mitral valve annulus, presently available prosthetic heart valves do not possess the same durability as natural heart valves.

While the prior art methods mentioned above have been able to achieve some success in treating mitral regurgitation, they have not been without problems and potential adverse consequences.

Such procedures are expensive, are extremely invasive requiring considerable recovery time, and pose the concomitant mortality risks associated with such procedures.

Moreover, such open heart procedures are particularly stressful on patients with a comprised cardiac condition.

Further, the effectiveness of such procedures is difficult to assess during the procedure and may not be known until a much later time.

Hence, the ability to make adjustments to or changes in the prostheses to obtain optimum effectiveness is extremely limited.

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