Tissue fastening systems and methods utilizing magnetic guidance
AssigneeMitralign, Inc.
InventorsPaul A. Spence, Walter Bruszewski, Ed McNamara, Mark Maguire
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Catheter based systems and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems and methods employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty.
Claims21
A method of reducing regurgitation of blood through a heart valve having an annulus, the annulus positioned apart from a coronary sinus at least at one location, the method comprising:
- fastening the coronary sinus to the annulus to bring the annulus closer to the coronary sinus at least at the one location, and
- modifying the annulus so as to reduce regurgitation of blood through the heart valve,
- wherein fastening the coronary sinus further comprises:
- inserting a first guide element into the coronary sinus,
- directing a second guide element adjacent to the annulus,
- securing the first and second guide elements together, and
- applying a first fastener between the annulus and the coronary sinus.
A method of reducing regurgitation of blood through a heart valve having an annulus, the annulus positioned apart from a coronary sinus at least at one location, the method comprising:
- fastening the coronary sinus to the annulus to bring the annulus closer to the coronary sinus at least at the one location, and
- modifying the annulus so as to reduce regurgitation of blood through the heart valve,
- wherein modifying the annulus further comprises:
- fastening a flexible fabric to the annulus and shortening the circumferential length of the flexible fabric.
A method of reducing regurgitation of blood through a heart valve having an annulus, the annulus positioned apart from a coronary sinus at least at one location, the method comprising:
- fastening the coronary sinus to the annulus to bring the annulus closer to the coronary sinus at least at the one location, and
- modifying the annulus so as to reduce regurgitation of blood through the heart valve,
- wherein modifying the annulus further comprises:
- connecting at least two fasteners to the coronary sinus at spaced apart locations,
- coupling a flexible tensile member to the two fasteners, and
- tensioning the flexible tensile member to reduce the distance between the two fasteners.
A method of reducing regurgitation of blood through a heart valve having an annulus, the annulus positioned apart from a coronary sinus at least at one location, the method comprising:
- fastening the coronary sinus to the annulus to bring the annulus closer to the coronary sinus at least at the one location, and
- modifying the annulus so as to reduce regurgitation of blood through the heart valve,
- wherein the coronary sinus lies above the annulus at least at the one location and fastening the coronary sinus to the annulus further comprises moving the coronary sinus downward to a position more adjacent to the annulus at least at the one location.
A method of modifying an annulus of a heart valve to reduce regurgitation of blood through the valve, comprising:
- delivering a first fastener through a catheter into the coronary sinus,
- delivering a second fastener through a catheter to at least one of two locations, the two locations being:
- 1) generally above the annulus in the left atrium, and 2) generally below the annulus in the left ventricle,
- securing the first and second fasteners to the annulus, and
- reducing the distance between the first and second fasteners thereby reducing the circumferential length of the annulus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.