Devices, systems, and methods for reshaping a heart valve annulus

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods employ a heart implant structure that is sized and configured to be positioned in a left atrium above the plane of a native mitral heart valve annulus to affect mitral heart valve function. The implant structure includes a portion sized and configured to engage a wall of the left atrium above the plane of the native mitral valve annulus and to extend across the left atrium along a minor axis of the annulus.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 846,850, filed May 14, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 677,104, filed Oct. 1, 2003, and entitled “Devices, Systems, and Methods for Reshaping a Heart Valve Annulus,” which claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 666,617, filed Sep. 20, 2000 and entitled “Heart Valve Annulus Device and Methods of Using Same,” which is incorporated herein by reference. This application also claims the benefit of Patent Cooperation Treaty Application Serial No. PCT / US 02 / 31376, filed Oct. 1, 2002 and entitled “Systems and Devices for Heart Valve Treatments,” which claimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 326,590, filed Oct. 1, 2001, which are incorporated herein by reference. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 429,444, filed Nov. 26, 2002, and entitled “H...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0022]The invention provides devices, systems, and methods that employ an implant sized and configured to attach, at least in part, in, on, or near the annulus of a dysfunctional heart valve. In use, the implant extends either across the minor axis of the annulus to shorten the minor axis, or across the major axis of the annulus to lengthen the major axis, or both. The implant restores to the heart valve annulus and leaflets a more functional anatomic shape and tension. The more functional anatomic shape and tension are conducive to coaptation of the leaflets, which, in turn, reduces retrograde flow or regurgitation.

Problems solved by technology

Valve malfunction can result from the chordae tendineae (the chords) becoming stretched, and in some cases tearing.

When a chord tears, the result is a leaflet that flails.

Also, a normally structured valve may not function properly because of an enlargement of or shape change in the valve annulus.

This condition is referred to as a dilation of the annulus and generally results from heart muscle failure.

In addition, the valve may be defective at birth or because of an acquired disease.

As a result, an undesired back flow of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium can occur.

During subsequent ventricular diastole (when the heart relaxes), this “extra” blood returns to the left ventricle, creating a volume overload, i.e., too much blood in the left ventricle.

This means that: (1) the heart must pump harder to move the extra blood; (2) too little blood may move from the heart to the rest of the body; and (3) over time, the left ventricle may begin to stretch and enlarge to accommodate the larger volume of blood, and the left ventricle may become weaker.

Although mild cases of mitral valve regurgitation result in few problems, more severe and chronic cases eventually weaken the heart and can result in heart failure.

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