Method and apparatus for improving mitral valve function
First Claim
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1. A method for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising:
- inserting apparatus into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being configured to straighten the natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation. The apparatus is inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being configured to straighten the natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation and reduce mitral regurgitation.
268 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising:
inserting apparatus into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being configured to straighten the natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
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2. A method for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising:
inserting apparatus into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being configured to move at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve anteriorly, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
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3. A method for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising:
inserting apparatus into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being configured to reduce the degree of natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
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4. A method for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising:
inserting apparatus into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being configured to increase the natural radius of curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
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5. A method for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising:
inserting apparatus into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus having a distal end, a proximal end and an intermediate portion, the apparatus being configured so that when the apparatus is positioned in the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the distal and proximal ends apply a posteriorly-directed force to the wall of the coronary sinus and the intermediate portion applies an anteriorly-directed force to the wall of the coronary sinus, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
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6. A method for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising:
inserting a substantially straight elongated body into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the length of the substantially straight elongated body being sized relative to the natural curvature of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve so that when the substantially straight elongated body is positioned in the coronary sinus, it causes at least a portion of the coronary sinus to assume a substantially straight configuration adjacent to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to increase the radius of curvature of the mitral annulus and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
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7. A method for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising:
inserting a substantially rigid elongated body into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the substantially rigid elongated body being configured relative to the natural curvature of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve so that when the substantially rigid elongated body is positioned in the coronary sinus, it causes at least a portion of the coronary sinus to assume a different configuration adjacent to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
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8. A method for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising:
inserting a substantially straight, substantially rigid elongated body into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the length of the substantially straight, substantially rigid elongated body being sized relative to the natural curvature of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve so that when the substantially straight, substantially rigid elongated body is positioned in the coronary sinus, it causes at least a portion of the coronary sinus to assume a substantially straight configuration adjacent to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to increase the radius of curvature of the mitral annulus and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
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9. An apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising:
a body having a distal end, a proximal end and an intermediate portion, the body being configured so that when the body is positioned in the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the distal and proximal ends apply a posteriorly-directed force to the wall of the coronary sinus, and the intermediate portion applies an anteriorly-directed force to the wall of the coronary sinus, whereby to move the posterior annulus of the mitral valve anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
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10. An apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising:
a substantially straight elongated body adapted to be inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the length of the substantially straight elongated body being sized relative to the natural curvature of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve so that when the substantially straight elongated body is positioned in the coronary sinus, it causes at least a portion of the coronary sinus to assume a substantially straight configuration adjacent to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to increase the radius of curvature of the mitral annulus, moving the posterior annulus anteriorly, and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
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11. An apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising:
a substantially rigid elongated body adapted to be inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the length of the straight, substantially rigid elongated body being sized relative to the natural curvature of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve so that when the substantially rigid elongated body is positioned in the coronary sinus, it causes at least a portion of the coronary sinus to assume a different configuration adjacent to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
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12. An apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising:
a substantially straight, substantially rigid elongated body adapted to be inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the length of the straight, substantially rigid elongated body being sized relative to the natural curvature of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve so that when the substantially straight, substantially rigid elongated body is positioned in the coronary sinus, it causes at least a portion of the coronary sinus to assume a substantially straight configuration adjacent to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to increase the radius of curvature of the mitral annulus, moving the mitral annulus anteriorly, and thereby improve leaflet coaptation.
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13. A catheter comprising:
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a flexible elongated delivery tube having a central lumen extending from a distal end of said tube to a proximal end of said tube, the flexibility of said tube being such as to permit closure of the distal end of said tube upon encounter with an impinging body structure, whereby to inhibit flow of fluid out the distal end of said tube; and
orifice means defined by said tube in a side wall thereof, said orifice means being disposed proximate but spaced from the distal end of said tube, and configured to permit egress of fluid from said tube. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A catheter comprising:
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a flexible elongated delivery tube having a central lumen extending from a distal end of said tube to a proximal end of said tube; and
longitudinally extending surface grooves disposed in an outer surface of said tube to permit flow of fluid longitudinally of said tube. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. An apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation, the apparatus comprising:
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a body having a distal end, a proximal end, and an intermediate portion, the body being configured such that when the body is positioned in the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the distal and proximal ends apply a posteriorly-directed force to the wall of the coronary sinus, and the intermediate portion applies an anteriorly-directed force to the wall of the coronary sinus, whereby to move the posterior annulus of the mitral valve anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaption; and
longitudinally extending grooves disposed in an outer surface of said body to permit flow of fluid longitudinally of said body. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification