Tissue fastening systems and methods utilizing magnetic guidance
First Claim
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1. A method of modifying an annulus of a heart valve to reduce regurgitation of blood through the valve, comprising:
- applying first and second fasteners on opposite sides of the annulus through at least one catheter thereby holding heart tissue between the first and second fasteners, applying third and fourth fasteners on opposite sides of the annulus through at least one catheter thereby holding heart tissue between the third and fourth fasteners, coupling the first and second fasteners together and the third and fourth fasteners together using at least one flexible tensile member, and reducing the distance between adjacent ones of at least two of the first, second, third and fourth fasteners by applying tension to the flexible tensile member thereby shortening the circumferential length of the annulus.
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Abstract
Catheter based systems and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems and methods employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.
379 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method of modifying an annulus of a heart valve to reduce regurgitation of blood through the valve, comprising:
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applying first and second fasteners on opposite sides of the annulus through at least one catheter thereby holding heart tissue between the first and second fasteners, applying third and fourth fasteners on opposite sides of the annulus through at least one catheter thereby holding heart tissue between the third and fourth fasteners, coupling the first and second fasteners together and the third and fourth fasteners together using at least one flexible tensile member, and reducing the distance between adjacent ones of at least two of the first, second, third and fourth fasteners by applying tension to the flexible tensile member thereby shortening the circumferential length of the annulus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A catheter system for modifying an annulus of a heart valve to reduce regurgitation of blood through the valve, the system comprising:
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a catheter having at least one lumen, first and second fasteners coupled together by an elongate flexible member such that said first fastener is movable along the elongate flexible member to a position closer to said second fastener, an actuation device coupled in a releasable manner to said elongate flexible member and adapted to pull the elongate flexible member to thereby reduce the distance between said first and second fasteners, and a coupling capable of securing the flexible tensile member in a locked position relative to said first and second fasteners. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A catheter adapted to be positioned over at least two flexible tensile members anchored to tissue within a patient, comprising:
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a distal support portion, a locking device carried by said distal support portion in a manner allowing said locking device to be released onto the two flexible tensile members, and further adapted to be locked onto the two flexible tensile members such that the flexible tensile members cannot move axially with respect to each other thereby fixing the lengths of the flexible tensile members distal to said locking device. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification