Segmented Mitral Valve Annulus Reshaping Device

The device is divided into multiple independent legs (typically 6-8 legs) that are distributed around the mitral valve annulus. Each leg can independently engage the annulus tissue and apply localized reshaping force, allowing the overall structure to maintain flexibility while achieving effective annulus reduction. This segmentation avoids the rigidity problem of traditional continuous annuloplasty rings.

The device incorporates adjustable leg length through telescoping mechanisms or shape-memory alloy properties, allowing the structure to dynamically adapt to ventricular contraction cycles. The legs can flex and move with the natural motion of the heart, maintaining valve flexibility while providing consistent annulus reshaping force throughout the cardiac cycle.

The invention completely removes the suturing step from the implantation process. The legs are designed with self-retaining features such as barbs, hooks, or expansion mechanisms that allow them to securely engage the annulus tissue without requiring any sutures. This extraction of the suturing operation eliminates the source of scar tissue formation while maintaining effective annulus reshaping.

The device performs its own anchoring function through self-expanding or self-locking leg mechanisms that automatically secure to the annulus tissue upon deployment. The legs utilize the natural tissue elasticity and mechanical interlocking features to achieve stable fixation without external suturing assistance, thereby preventing scar tissue formation from multiple stitch sites.

The device uses a delivery catheter system as an intermediary to guide and position the legs precisely at the mitral valve annulus. The catheter provides a controlled pathway that prevents random tissue damage during insertion, allowing the legs to be deployed exactly where needed on the annulus surface without requiring insertion into the atrioventricular groove or risking damage to surrounding cardiac structures.

The legs are designed to engage only the annulus tissue at specific localized points around the mitral valve, leaving the rest of the cardiac tissue undisturbed. This localized engagement approach avoids the need for broad insertion into the atrioventricular groove, minimizing the risk of tissue damage while achieving effective annulus reshaping at the precise target location.