Epicardial Clip

An epicardial clip for placement on the epicardial surface of a heart in order to reshape the annulus of the mitral valve of the heart, the mitral valve lying in a plane between the left atrium and the left ventricle of the heart, the anatomy of the heart includes an aorta, a pulmonary trunk, a superior vena cava, a transverse sinus, and an atrioventricular groove, the epicardial clip comprising:

• a first curved portion interconnecting an anterior segment and a lateral segment;
• a second curved portion interconnecting said lateral segment with a posterior segment;
• and
• an atraumatic outer member covering a least a portion of said posterior segment;
• wherein the anterior segment is configured and dimensioned to at least partially occupy the transverse sinus epicardially and end at a location short of overlying the right atrium;
• wherein the posterior segment is configured and dimensioned to contact the heart on or below a plane in which the mitral valve is located, and below a position of the anterior segment;
• wherein a gap separates a free end of said anterior segment and a free end of said posterior segment after completion of placement of said epicardial clip on the heart;
• and
• wherein said epicardial clip is non-flexible relative to forces applied thereto by the heart.

An epicardial clip for placement on the epicardial surface of a heart in order to reshape the annulus of the mitral valve of the heart, the mitral valve lying in a plane between the left atrium and the left ventricle of the heart, the anatomy of the heart includes an aorta, a pulmonary trunk, a superior vena cava, a transverse sinus, and an atrioventricular groove, the epicardial clip comprising:

• a first curved portion interconnecting an anterior segment and a lateral segment;
• a second curved portion interconnecting said lateral segment with a posterior segment;
• a pad positioned on at least a portion of said posterior segment at a location wherein said pad contacts the heart upon completion of the placement of said epicardial clip on the heart;
• wherein the anterior segment is configured and dimensioned to at least partially occupy the transverse sinus epicardially and end at a location short of overlying the right atrium at a location on or above a plane in which the mitral valve is located;
• wherein the posterior segment is configured and dimensioned to contact the pad to the heart on or below the plane in which the mitral valve is located, and below a position of the anterior segment;
• and
• wherein a gap separates a free end of said anterior segment and a free end of said posterior segment after completion of placement of said epicardial clip on the heart.