Tissue Fixation Device With Folding Gripping Elements For Enhanced Tissue Protection

A fixation device comprising:

• a first distal element and a second distal element;
• a first proximal element disposed in opposition to the first distal element and rotatable about a first hinge axis relative to the first distal element, the first proximal element having a first section, a second section, and a hinge disposed between the first and second sections and defining a second hinge axis, the second section being rotatable about the second hinge axis toward the first section, the second section having a plurality of frictional elements extending therefrom;
• and
• a second proximal element disposed in opposition to the second distal element and rotatable about a first hinge axis relative to the second distal element, the second proximal element having a first section, a second section, and a hinge disposed between the first and second sections and defining a second hinge axis, the second section of the second proximal element being rotatable about the second hinge axis toward the first section of the second proximal element, the second section of the second proximal element having a plurality of frictional elements extending therefrom.

A method for fixing leaflets of a heart valve, the method comprising:

• positioning a fixation device adjacent the heart valve;
• moving a first and second distal element to an open position;
• maintaining a first tension on a first proximal element line and a second proximal element line so that a first proximal element coupled to the first proximal element line is in a raised position relative to the first distal element and a second proximal element coupled to the second proximal element line is in a raised position relative to the second distal element, the first and second proximal elements each having a hinge dividing the first and second proximal elements between a first section and a second section;
• and
• applying a second tension on the first and second proximal element lines greater than the first tension such that the second section of each of the first and second proximal elements rotates about the hinge toward the first section of each of the first and second proximal elements, the second section of each of the first and second proximal elements having a plurality of frictional elements extending therefrom.