Fixed length anchor and pull mitral valve device and method

• US 6,976,995 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2002
• Issued: 12/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Mathis, Mark L., Reuter, David G., Nieminen, Gregory D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barrett, Thomas C.
• Application Number:
  US10/066,426
• Publication Number:
  US 20030144697A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,420 Days
• Field of Search: 623/1.11, 623/1.2, 623/1.22, 623/1.5, 623/1.16, 623/2.1
• US Class Current: 623/2.37
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2442 Annuloplasty rings or inserts for correcting the valve shape; Implants for improving the function of a native heart valve
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2448 D-shaped rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2451 Inserts in the coronary sinus for correcting the valve shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/246 Devices for obstructing a leak through a native valve in a closed condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2466 Delivery devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0014 using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0008 Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0012 for adjusting elasticity, flexibility, spring rate or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00017 Iron- or Fe-based alloys, e.g. stainless steel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/057 Anchoring means; Means for fixing the head inside the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/0585 Coronary sinus electrodes

Abstract

A device effects the mitral valve annulus geometry of a heart. The device includes first and second anchors configured to be positioned within the coronary sinus of the heart adjacent the mitral valve annulus of the heart and a fixed length connecting member permanently attached to the first and second anchors. With the first anchor anchored in the coronary sinus, the second anchor may be displaced proximally to effect the geometry of the mitral valve annulus and released to maintain the effect on the mitral valve geometry.

Claims

1. A system that effects mitral valve annulus geometry of a heart, comprising:

a mitral valve device including a first anchor configured to be positioned within and anchored to the coronary sinus of the heart adjacent the mitral valve annulus within the heart, a second anchor configured to be positioned within the heart proximal to the first anchor and adjacent the mitral valve annulus within the heart, and a connecting member having a fixed length permanently attached to the first and second anchors;

a catheter having a distal end, a proximal end and a lumen that receives the device, the catheter being guidable into the coronary sinus adjacent to the mitral valve annulus and deploying the first and second anchors of the device within the coronary sinus adjacent to the mitral valve annulus; and

a tether releasably coupled to the second anchor and extending proximally through the lumen and out of the catheter proximal end, whereby

when the first anchor is deployed by the catheter in the coronary sinus, the second anchor may be displaced proximally by proximally pulling on the tether to effect the geometry of the mitral valve annulus and thereafter released for deployment to maintain the effect on the mitral valve geometry.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the second anchor, when deployed, is anchored against distal movement and moveable in a proximal direction.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the first anchor is self-deploying upon release in the coronary sinus.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the second anchor is self-deploying upon release in the coronary sinus.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the connecting member is a rigid member.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the connecting member includes a spring having a maximum length.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the connecting member is flexible and nonstretchable.