Negative pressure-based gripping system and method

A method for gripping and retaining a target, preferably a moving target, in a fixed position in relation to at least a part of a device, comprising the steps of:

• providing a device having a catheter having a tubular body;
• a proximal end;
• and a remotely operable and flexible end section with a distal opening;
• positioning the distal opening adjacent to the target by steering the distal end remotely;
• generating a negative pressure in the tubular body to grip the target by the distal opening of the catheter upon positioning of the at least one distal opening adjacent to the target;
• measuring the pressure in the tubular body for a predefined period of time;
• maintaining the negative pressure in the tubular body to retain the target;
• detecting whether the measure pressured has exceeded a predefined pressure threshold for longer than a predefined period of time;
• and
• disabling the negative pressure based on the detection.

A method for performing a surgical process to a target in the form of a heart, comprising the steps of:

• a) inserting, transfemorally, a device having a catheter having a tubular body;
• a proximal end;
• and a remotely operable and flexible end section with a distal opening;
• b) positioning the distal opening of the device adjacent to the target by steering the distal end remotely;
• c) generating a negative pressure in the tubular body to grip the target by the distal opening of the catheter upon positioning of the at least one distal opening adjacent to the target;
• d) measuring the pressure in the tubular body for a predefined period of time;
• e) detecting whether the pressure exceeds a predefined pressure threshold for longer than the predetermined amount of time;
• f) disabling the negative pressure based on the detection;
• g) repeating steps c) through f) until the target is retained;
• and
• h) performing the surgical process through the tubular body of the catheter.

A method for performing mitral valve chordal repair of a heart, comprising the steps of:

• providing a device having a catheter having a tubular body;
• a proximal end;
• and a remotely operable and flexible end section with a distal opening;
• introducing the device in a femoral or jugular vein;
• positioning the distal opening adjacent to the target by steering the distal end remotely;
• using a guidewire to enter a right atrium of the heart;
• puncturing an atrial septum and crossing the atrial septum of the heart;
• locating the device so that the end is located on a papillary muscle;
• generating a negative pressure in the tubular body to grip the distal opening to a papillary muscle of the heart;
• measuring the pressure in the tubular body for a first predefined period of time;
• detecting, in a first detection step, whether the pressure exceeds a first predefined pressure threshold for longer than the first predetermined amount of time;
• disabling the negative pressure based on the first detection;
• fixating a suture in the papillary muscle;
• releasing the negative pressure and moving the device to the leaflet of the mitral valve that has a ruptured chordae;
• generating a negative pressure in the tubular body to grip the distal opening to the leaflet of the mitral valve;
• measuring the pressure in the tubular body for a second predefined period of time;
• detecting, in a second detection step, whether the pressure exceeds a second predefined pressure threshold for longer than the second predetermined amount of time;
• disabling the negative pressure based on the second detection;
• fixating a suture in the leaflet;
• and
• adjusting the length of the two sutures so that the valve becomes competent.