Method and apparatus for improving mitral valve function
First Claim
1. An assembly for reducing mitral regurgitation, the assembly comprising:
- an elongated carrier of material sufficiently flexible to assume a first configuration generally conforming to a coronary sinus upon insertion of the carrier into the coronary sinus, and to assume a straighter second configuration when biased toward the straighter configuration, the carrier having a plurality of lumens extending lengthwise therethrough; and
a plurality of straightening rods adapted to be received by the lumens in the carrier, each of the straightening rods being formed so as to be;
(i) more rigid than the anatomical tissue surrounding the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve; and
(ii) have a shape straighter than the shape of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve; and
(iii) have an adequate length relative to the radius of curvature of the coronary sinus;
such that when the straightening rods are positioned in the lumens while the carrier is positioned in the coronary sinus adjacent to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the straightening rods will impart a straightening force to the wall of the coronary sinus, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly so as to improve leaflet coaptation and, as a result, reduce mitral regurgitation;
wherein at least one of the lumens is sized so as to receive an electrical lead therein.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
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 adapted 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. The apparatus is also configured to work in conjunction with an electrical lead for an implantable bi-ventricular pacing device, an electrical lead for an implantable cardio defibrillator, etc.
106 Citations
40 Claims
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1. An assembly for reducing mitral regurgitation, the assembly comprising:
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an elongated carrier of material sufficiently flexible to assume a first configuration generally conforming to a coronary sinus upon insertion of the carrier into the coronary sinus, and to assume a straighter second configuration when biased toward the straighter configuration, the carrier having a plurality of lumens extending lengthwise therethrough; and
a plurality of straightening rods adapted to be received by the lumens in the carrier, each of the straightening rods being formed so as to be;
(i) more rigid than the anatomical tissue surrounding the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve; and
(ii) have a shape straighter than the shape of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve; and
(iii) have an adequate length relative to the radius of curvature of the coronary sinus;
such that when the straightening rods are positioned in the lumens while the carrier is positioned in the coronary sinus adjacent to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the straightening rods will impart a straightening force to the wall of the coronary sinus, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly so as to improve leaflet coaptation and, as a result, reduce mitral regurgitation;
wherein at least one of the lumens is sized so as to receive an electrical lead therein. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method for reducing mitral regurgitation, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a flexible carrier having a plurality of lumens extending lengthwise therethrough;
advancing an electrical lead through the vascular system of a patient until a distal end of the electrical lead is disposed in the coronary sinus of the patient, and advancing a guidewire through the vascular system of a patient until a distal end of the guidewire is disposed in the coronary sinus of the patient;
advancing the carrier over the electrical lead and the guidewire until a distal end of the carrier is disposed in the coronary sinus; and
advancing a plurality of straightening rods into the plurality of lumens so as to exert a straightening force on the carrier and thereby on the coronary sinus to move the annulus of the mitral valve anteriorly, whereby to reduce mitral regurgitation. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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31. A method for reducing mitral regurgitation, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a flexible carrier having a plurality of lumens extending lengthwise therethrough;
advancing an electrical lead through the vascular system of a patient until a distal end of the electrical lead is disposed in the coronary sinus of the patient;
advancing the carrier over the electrical lead until a distal end of the carrier is disposed in the coronary sinus; and
advancing a plurality of straightening rods into the plurality of lumens so as to exert a straightening force on the carrier and thereby on the coronary sinus to move the annulus of the mitral valve anteriorly, whereby to reduce mitral regurgitation. - View Dependent Claims (32)
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33. A method for reducing mitral regurgitation, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a flexible carrier having a plurality of lumens extending lengthwise therethrough;
advancing the carrier through the vascular system of a patient until a distal end of the carrier is disposed in the coronary sinus;
advancing an electrical lead through the carrier until the distal end of the electrical lead is disposed in the coronary sinus of the patient; and
advancing a plurality of straightening rods into the plurality of lumens so as to exert a straightening force on the carrier and thereby on the coronary sinus to move the annulus of the mitral valve anteriorly, whereby to reduce mitral regurgitation. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36)
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37. A method for reducing mitral regurgitation, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a flexible carrier having a plurality of lumens extending lengthwise therethrough, and an electrical lead extending through a lumen;
advancing the carrier through the vascular system of a patient until a distal end of the carrier is disposed in the coronary sinus, and positioning the electrical lead in heart tissue; and
advancing a plurality of straightening rods into the plurality of lumens so as to exert a straightening force on the carrier and thereby on the coronary sinus to move the annulus of the mitral valve anteriorly, whereby to reduce mitral regurgitation. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40)
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Specification