Valve to myocardium tension members device and method

Title: Valve to myocardium tension members device and method

Related Patent Categories: Surgery, Internal Organ Support Or Sling

Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Claims

The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060195012, Valve to myocardium tension members device and method.

1-17. (canceled)

18. A method of treating mitral valvular regurgitation in a human heart, the method comprising: providing a self-anchoring mechanical device; identifying a target region of a myocardium of the heart; and positioning the self-anchoring mechanical device within a portion of the identified target region so as to adjust a position of a base of at least one papillary muscle coupled to a mitral valve.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the position is adjusted by decreasing distension of the base.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the self-anchoring mechanical device comprises a longitudinal axis, the method further comprising: positioning the longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the endocardial surface in an apex-to-base direction.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the target region comprises the apical base region of the heart.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the target region comprises a wall of the left ventricle.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein: the identified target region comprises at least one of normal tissue, infarcted tissue, peri-infarcted tissue and ischemic tissue.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the self-anchoring mechanical device restricts or limits motion in the identified target region.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein the mechanical device comprises a flexible member.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the mechanical device is placed in one of: a relaxed condition; and a pre-stretched condition.

27. A method of treating mitral valvular regurgitation, the method comprising: providing a restraining device having a distal anchor and a proximal anchor; embedding the distal anchor of the device in heart tissue; and embedding the proximal anchor in the heart tissue, wherein the restraining device is substantially positioned in a mid-wall of the heart and oriented approximately parallel to an endocardial surface in an apex-to-base direction to adjust a position of a base of at least one papillary muscle coupled to a mitral valve.

28. The method as recited in claim 27, further comprising: adjusting an amount of tension between the distal anchor and the proximal anchor on the restraining device, the tension urging the anchors toward one another.

29. The method as recited in claim 28, further comprising: embedding the proximal anchor in the heart tissue while the device is under tension.

30. The method as recited in claim 27, wherein: tension of the restraining device causes a decrease in a distance from a base of the papillary muscle to the mitral valve plane.

31. The method as recited in claim 27, wherein the heart tissue in which the restraining device is positioned comprises at least one of: peri-infarcted heart tissue; infarcted heart tissue; ischemic heart tissue; and non-ischemic heart tissue.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein the restraining device comprises a flexible member and adjusting the amount of tension of the restraining device comprises at least one of: placing the restraining member in a relaxed condition; and placing the restraining member in a pre-stretched condition.

33. A method of treating a heart, the method comprising: providing a restraining device having a distal anchor and a proximal anchor; embedding the distal anchor of the device in heart tissue; and embedding the proximal anchor in the heart tissue, wherein the restraining device is substantially positioned in a mid-wall of the heart.

34. The method as recited in claim 33, further comprising: orienting the restraining device to adjust a position of a base of at least one papillary muscle coupled to a mitral valve.

35. The method as recited in claim 33, further comprising: orienting the restraining device approximately parallel to an endocardial surface in an apex-to-base direction.

36. The method as recited in claim 35, further comprising: adjusting a tension of the restraining device to decrease a distance from a base of a papillary muscle to a mitral valve plane.

37. The method as recited in claim 33, further comprising: orienting the restraining device approximately parallel to a circumferential plane of the heart.

38. A method of treating a heart with mitral valvular regurgitation as recited in claim 33.

39. A method of treating a heart in which a myocardial infarction has occurred as recited in claim 33.

Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Claims

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