Devices and methods for anchoring tissue
Anchors, anchoring systems, anchor delivery devices, and method of using anchors are described. An anchor may be a flexible anchor having two curved legs that cross in a single turning direction to form a loop, wherein the legs are adapted to penetrate tissue. The ends of the curved legs may be blunt or sharp. The anchor can assume different configurations such as a deployed configuration and a delivery configuration, and the anchor may switch between these different configurations. In operation, the anchor may be inserted into tissue by releasing the anchor from a delivery configuration so that the anchor self-expands into the deployed configuration, so that the legs of the anchor may penetrate the tissue in a curved pathway.
1 . A self-expanding anchor having a collapsed undeployed configuration and an expanded deployed configuration wherein the anchor comprises legs that cross to form a loop, and potential energy stored in the loop in the collapsed undeployed configuration is released to expand the legs into the deployed configuration.
2 . The anchor of claim 1 wherein the ends of the legs are blunt.
3 . The anchor of claim 1 , wherein the ends of the legs are sharp.
4 . The anchor of claim 1 , wherein the anchor is made of a shape-memory material.
5 . The anchor of claim 4 , wherein the anchor comprises Nickel-Titanium Alloy.
6 . The anchor of claim 1 , wherein the anchor is made of a superelastic material.
7 . The anchor of claim 1 , wherein when the anchor is deployed in tissue, the anchor absorbs energy during dynamic loading of the tissue.
8 . The anchor of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the loop comprises a loop size limiting region that is less flexible than the legs.
9 . The anchor of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the anchor is coated with an agent.
10 . The anchor of claim 9 wherein the agent is selected from the group consisting of an anti-inflammatory agent, an anti-coagulant agent, an anti-proliferative agent, and a pro-proliferative agent.
11 . The anchor of claim 10 wherein the agent is a pro-proliferative agent.
12 . The anchor of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the anchor has a region of increased friction.
13 . The anchor of claim 1 , wherein the anchor comprises at least one sensor.
14 . The anchor of claim 1 , wherein the anchor comprises at least one electrode.
15 . The anchor of claim 1 , wherein the anchor is made from more than one material.
16 . The anchor of claim 1 , further comprising a constraining member.
17 . The anchor of claim 16 , wherein the constraining member is a sleeve.
18 . The anchor of claim 1 , further comprising one or more barbs or hooks.
19 . The anchor of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the anchor is coated with a lubricious material.
20 . The anchor of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the anchor is made of a biodegradable material.
21 . The anchor of claim 1 , wherein the anchor has a non-uniform thickness from end to end.
22 . The anchor of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the anchor is hollow.
23 . The anchor of claim 1 , wherein the anchor has at least two regions of different strength.
24 . A method for securing an anchor to tissue comprising:
positioning an anchor in a collapsed undeployed configuration adjacent to tissue, wherein the anchor comprises legs that cross to form a loop; and
deploying the anchor so that potential energy stored in the loop in the collapsed undeployed configuration is released to expand the legs into a deployed configuration.
25 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the tissue is cardiac tissue.
26 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the anchor is deployed as part of an atrial septal defect closure procedure.
27 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the anchor is deployed as part of a valve repair procedure.
28 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the anchor is deployed as part of an aneurysm repair procedure.
29 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the anchor is deployed as part of a GERD procedure.
30 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the tissue is muscle tissue.
31 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the tissue is tissue of a hollow body organ.
32 . The method of claim 24 further comprising deploying more than one anchor.
33 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the anchor is deployed as part of a bariatric procedure.
34 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the anchor is deployed under fluoroscopic guidance.
35 . The method of claim 24 , wherein the anchor is coupled to a tether.