Devices, systems, and methods for supporting tissue and/or structures within a hollow body organ
Devices, systems and methods support tissue in a body organ for the purpose of restoring or maintaining native function of the organ. The devices, systems, and methods do not require invasive, open surgical approaches to be implemented, but, instead, lend themselves to catheter-based, intra-vascular and/or percutaneous techniques.
1 . A system for supporting tissue within a hollow body organ comprising
a first implant sized and configured to penetrate a first region of tissue in the hollow body organ,
a second implant sized and configured to penetrate a second region of tissue in the hollow body organ spatially distinct from the first region, and
at least one tension element to apply tension on the first and second implants and thereby draw tissue inward, thereby defining a reduced interior volume within the hollow body organ.
2 . A system according to claim 1
wherein the tension element folds tissue between the first and second implants.
3 . A system according to claim 2
further including a patch element fastened to tissue and overlaying the fold between the first and second implants.
4 . A system according to claim 1
wherein the first and second implants are part of an array of implants that penetrates spatially distinct regions of tissue in the hollow body organ, and
wherein the tension element applies tension on the array of implants and thereby draw tissue inward.
5 . A system according to claim 1
wherein at least one of the implants comprises a helical fastener.
6 . A system according to claim 1
wherein the tension element includes first and second tether elements joined, respectively, to the first and second implants, and
at least one clip element gathering the first and second tether elements together in a taut condition.
7 . A method of supporting tissue in a hollow body organ comprising the step of using a system as defined in claim 1 .
8 . A method of supporting tissue in a heart chamber comprising the step of using a system as defined in claim 1 .
9 . A system for forming a tissue fold within a hollow body organ comprising
a first implant sized and configured to penetrate a first region of tissue in the hollow body organ,
a second implant sized and configured to penetrate a second region of tissue in the hollow body organ spatially distinct from the first region,
at least one tension element extending between the first and second implants to apply tension on the first and second implants and thereby create a tissue fold between the first and second implants.
10 . A system according to claim 9
further including a patch element fastened to tissue and overlaying the tissue fold.
11 . A system according to claim 9
wherein the first and second implants are part of an array of implants that penetrates spatially distinct regions of tissue in the hollow body organ, and
wherein the tension element extends among the array of implants to apply tension between adjacent implants and thereby create a pattern of tissue folds.
12 . A system according to claim 11
further including a patch element fastened to tissue and overlaying the pattern of tissue folds.
13 . A system according to claim 9
wherein at least one of the implants comprises
a helical fastener.
14 . A system according to claim 9
wherein the tension element includes a tether element extending between the first and second implants in a taut condition.
15 . A method of folding tissue in a hollow body organ comprising the step of using a system as defined in claim 9 .
16 . A method of folding tissue in a heart chamber comprising the step of using a system as defined in claim 9 .
17 . A method of folding tissue to close an atrial appendage comprising the step of using a system as defined in claim 9 .
18 . A method of folding tissue to close a perforation, hold, or defect comprising the step of using a system as defined in claim 9 .
19 . A system for supporting tissue in a hollow body organ comprising
a prosthesis sized and configured for placement within an interior of the hollow body organ to regulate a size and/or shape of the hollow body organ, and
at least one fastener securing the prosthesis to tissue in the hollow body organ.
20 . A system according to claim 19
wherein the fastener comprises a helical fastener.
21 . A system according to claim 19
wherein the prosthesis comprises an array of prosthetic patches.
22 . A system according to claim 19
wherein the prosthesis includes a formed body.
23 . A system according to claim 19
wherein the prosthesis includes an assembly of prosthesis sections.
24 . A method of supporting tissue in a hollow body organ comprising the step of using a system as defined in claim 19 .
25 . A method of supporting tissue in a heart chamber comprising the step of using a system as defined in claim 19 .
26 . A system for supporting tissue around a hollow body organ comprising
a prosthesis sized and configured for placement on an exterior of the hollow body organ to regulate a size and/or shape of the hollow body organ, and
at least one fastener securing the prosthesis to tissue on the hollow body organ.
27 . A system according to claim 26
wherein the fastener comprises a helical fastener.
28 . A system according to claim 26
wherein the prosthesis comprises an array of prosthetic patches.
29 . A system according to claim 26
wherein the prosthesis includes a formed body.
30 . A system according to claim 26
wherein the prosthesis includes an assembly of prosthesis sections.
31 . A method of supporting tissue around a hollow body organ comprising the step of using a system as defined in claim 26 .
32 . A method of supporting tissue around a heart chamber comprising the step of using a system as defined in claim 26 .
33 . A system for supporting tissue within a hollow body organ comprising
an elongated implant sized and configured to penetrate tissue and extend along a curvilinear path within or partially within a tissue wall to regulate a size and/or shape of the hollow body organ.
34 . A system according to claim 33
wherein the elongated implant comprises a helical shape.
35 . A method of supporting tissue in a hollow body organ comprising the step of using a system as defined in claim 33 .
36 . A method of supporting tissue in a heart chamber comprising the step of using a system as defined in claim 33 .
37 . A system for reducing volume within a hollow body organ comprising
a prosthesis sized and configured for placement within the hollow body organ, the prosthesis including an expandable segment to regulate a size and/or shape of the hollow body organ, and
at least one fastener securing the prosthesis to tissue in the hollow body organ.
38 . A system according to claim 37 wherein the expandable segment is sized and configured to expand in response to receipt of fluid.
39 . A method of reducing volume within a hollow body organ comprising the step of using a system as defined in claim 37 .
40 . A method of reducing volume within a heart chamber comprising the step of using a system as defined in claim 37 .
41 . A prosthesis for reducing volume within a hollow body organ comprising
a prosthesis body sized and configured for placement within the hollow body organ, the prosthesis body including an expandable segment to regulate a size and/or shape of the hollow body organ, the expandable segment being sized and configured to expand in response to receipt of fluid.
42 . A method of reducing volume within a hollow body organ comprising the step of using a prosthesis as defined in claim 41 .
43 . A method of reducing volume within a heart chamber comprising the step of using a prosthesis as defined in claim 41.