Method and apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation

1. A method for reducing mitral regurgitation, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a cinching device comprising a distal anchor, a proximal anchor, and a flexible body extending therebetween, said distal anchor configured for positioning distal to the distal end of the coronary sinus and the proximal anchor configured for positioning at the coronary ostium, with said flexible body configured to extend through the coronary sinus between said distal anchor and said proximal anchor, and further wherein said proximal anchor is configured for ratcheting action relative to said flexible body, whereby the length of said flexible body between said distal anchor and said proximal anchor may be reduced;

positioning said distal anchor distal to the distal end of the coronary sinus and penetrating through the distal end wall of the coronary sinus and positioning said proximal anchor at the coronary ostium, with said flexible body extending through the coronary sinus between said distal anchor and said proximal anchor; and

cinching said flexible body so as to reduce the length of said flexible body between said distal anchor and said proximal anchor, whereby a force is exerted on the posterior annulus so as to reduce mitral regurgitation.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said distal anchor is set in the pericardial space adjacent to the distal end of the coronary sinus.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said distal anchor is set in the intervening tissue located between the pericardial space and the distal end of the coronary sinus.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said proximal anchor comprises a plurality of radial projections formed on said flexible body and a head having a central opening therein, the size and construction of said radial projections and said opening being coordinated so as to enable a ratcheting action between said flexible body and said head, and further wherein cinching said flexible body is achieved by moving said head relative to said flexible body.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein said head has a plurality of openings therein so as to pass blood therethrough.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein said cinching device is carried to the coronary sinus inside a delivery catheter.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein said cinching device is carried to the coronary sinus over a guidewire.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein said distal anchor is set through the myocardium tissue and into the left ventricle adjacent to the distal end of the coronary sinus.

9. A method for reducing mitral regurgitation, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a cinching device comprising a distal anchor, a proximal anchor, and a flexible body extending therebetween, said distal anchor configured for positioning distal to the distal end of the coronary sinus and the proximal anchor configured for positioning at the coronary ostium, with said flexible body configured to extend through the coronary sinus between said distal anchor and said proximal anchor, and further wherein said proximal anchor is configured for ratcheting action relative to said flexible body, whereby the length of said flexible body between said distal anchor and said proximal anchor may be reduced;

positioning said distal anchor distal to the distal end of the coronary sinus and positioning said proximal anchor at the coronary ostium, with said flexible body extending through the coronary sinus between said distal anchor and said proximal anchor; and

cinching said flexible body so as to reduce the length of said flexible body between said distal anchor and said proximal anchor, whereby a force is exerted on the posterior annulus so as to reduce mitral regurgitation;

wherein said distal anchor is set in the pericardial space adjacent to the distal end of the coronary sinus.

10. A method for reducing mitral regurgitation, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a cinching device comprising a distal anchor, a proximal anchor, and a flexible body extending therebetween, said distal anchor configured for positioning distal to the distal end of the coronary sinus and the proximal anchor configured for positioning at the coronary ostium, with said flexible body configured to extend through the coronary sinus between said distal anchor and said proximal anchor, and further wherein said proximal anchor is configured for ratcheting action relative to said flexible body, whereby the length of said flexible body between said distal anchor and said proximal anchor may be reduced;

positioning said distal anchor distal to the distal end of the coronary sinus and positioning said proximal anchor at the coronary ostium, with said flexible body extending through the coronary sinus between said distal anchor and said proximal anchor; and

cinching said flexible body so as to reduce the length of said flexible body between said distal anchor and said proximal anchor, whereby a force is exerted on the posterior annulus so as to reduce mitral regurgitation;

wherein said proximal anchor comprises a plurality of radial projections formed on said flexible body and a head having a central opening therein, the size and construction of said radial projections and said opening being coordinated so as to enable a ratcheting action between said flexible body and said head, and further wherein cinching said flexible body is achieved by moving said head relative to said flexible body; and

wherein said head has a plurality of openings therein so as to pass blood therethrough.

11. A method for reducing mitral regurgitation, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a cinching device comprising a distal anchor, a proximal anchor, and a flexible body extending therebetween, said distal anchor configured for positioning distal to the distal end of the coronary sinus and the proximal anchor configured for positioning at the coronary ostium, with said flexible body configured to extend through the coronary sinus between said distal anchor and said proximal anchor, and further wherein said proximal anchor is configured for ratcheting action relative to said flexible body, whereby the length of said flexible body between said distal anchor and said proximal anchor may be reduced;

positioning said distal anchor distal to the distal end of the coronary sinus and positioning said proximal anchor at the coronary ostium, with said flexible body extending through the coronary sinus between said distal anchor and said proximal anchor; and

cinching said flexible body so as to reduce the length of said flexible body between said distal anchor and said proximal anchor, whereby a force is exerted on the posterior annulus so as to reduce mitral regurgitation;

wherein said distal anchor is set through the myocardium tissue and into the left ventricle adjacent to the distal end of the coronary sinus.