Tissue anchor for annuloplasty device
Apparatus for use with an implant configured to be coupled to cardiac tissue of a patient, the apparatus including: a tissue anchor including: a distal tissue coupling element configured to couple the tissue anchor to the cardiac tissue of the patient, and a proximal implant-receiving element configured to receive at least a portion of the implant and facilitate coupling of the implant to the tissue anchor. The proximal implant-receiving element includes an implant-restraining element coupled to a portion of the implant-receiving element, the implant-restraining element being configured to restrain the implant from separating from the implant-receiving element. Other applications are also described.
1. Apparatus for use with an implant configured to be coupled to cardiac tissue of a patient, the apparatus comprising:
a tissue anchor comprising:
a distal tissue coupling element configured to couple the tissue anchor to the cardiac tissue of the patient; and
a proximal implant-receiving element configured to receive at least a portion of the implant and facilitate coupling of the implant to the tissue anchor, the proximal implant-receiving element comprising:
an implant-restraining element coupled to a portion of the implant-receiving element, the implant-restraining element being configured to restrain the implant from separating from the implant-receiving element, the implant-restraining element comprising a barb configured to restrict proximal movement of the implant along the implant-receiving element, the barb comprising one or more arms that are radially expandable to rest against an external surface of the implant following coupling of the implant to the implant-receiving element.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the restraining element comprises a protrusion configured to protrude into a plane of the implant and to couple the implant to the tissue anchor.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the protrusion is shaped so as to define a distal shelf that has a transverse cross-sectional length that is larger than a transverse cross-sectional length of the implant-receiving element, the distal shelf being configured to facilitate restricting of proximal motion of the implant along the protrusion.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the arms are radially collapsible during at least a portion of the coupling of the implant to the implant-receiving element.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the proximal implant-receiving element comprises an elastic portion that is configured to assume a first length when relaxed, and a second, greater length when under load.
6. The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the elastic portion comprises a tension spring.
7. The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the proximal implant-receiving element has a length of between 3 and 5 mm when the elastic portion is relaxed.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the distal tissue coupling element is shaped so as to define a shape selected from the group consisting of: a helix, a spiral, and a screw shaft.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the distal tissue coupling element is shaped so as to define one or more radially-expandable prongs, the prongs being configured to expand and facilitate anchoring of the coupling element and restrict proximal motion of the tissue anchor.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising the implant, wherein the implant-receiving element is configured to couple the implant to the anchor.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the implant comprises a tissue-repair implant.
12. The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the implant-restraining element is configured to pass through a portion of the implant.
13. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the distal tissue coupling element and the proximal implant-receiving element comprise respective elements that are coupled to one another.
14. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the distal tissue coupling element and the proximal implant-receiving element are fabricated from a single piece.
15. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the implant-restraining element is coupled to a proximal portion of the implant-receiving element.
16. Apparatus for use with an implant configured to be coupled to cardiac tissue of a patient, the apparatus comprising:
a tissue anchor comprising:
a distal tissue coupling element configured to couple the tissue anchor to the cardiac tissue of the patient; and
a proximal implant-receiving element configured to receive at least a portion of the implant and facilitate coupling of the implant to the tissue anchor, the proximal implant-receiving element comprising:
a post having a length of between 1 and 7 mm and a greatest cross-sectional area of between 0.03 mm^2 and 0.2 mm^2, which length is at least 4 times a square root of the greatest cross-sectional area of the post; and
an implant-restraining element coupled to the post of the implant-receiving element, the implant-restraining element being configured to restrain the implant from separating from the implant-receiving element; and
a cord removably couplable to the tissue anchor, the cord being configured to facilitate passage of the implant therealong and toward the tissue anchor.
17. The apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the cord passes through a portion of the implant-receiving element.
18. The apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the length of the post is at least 5 times the square root of the greatest cross-sectional area of the post.
19. The apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the length of the post is at least 8 times the square root of the greatest cross-sectional area of the post.
20. The apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the length of the post is at least 10 times the square root of the greatest cross-sectional area of the post.
21. The apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the length of the post is at least 15 times the square root of the greatest cross-sectional area of the post.
22. The apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the implant-restraining element is coupled to the post within 2 mm of a proximal end of the post.
23. The apparatus according to claim 22 , wherein the implant-restraining element is shaped so as to define an opening therethrough, through which the cord is configured to pass.
24. The apparatus according to claim 22 , wherein the implant-restraining element has a greatest cross-sectional area that is at least 1.5 times the greatest cross-sectional area of the post.
25. The apparatus according to claim 24 , further comprising a lock configured to be advanced toward the anchor and disposed between the implant and the implant-restraining element, the lock comprising:
a distal portion configured to rest against the implant; and
an expandable proximal portion having a cross-sectional area during a resting state of the lock that is larger than the greatest cross-sectional area of the post and smaller than the greatest cross-sectional area of the implant-restraining element.
26. Apparatus, comprising:
an implant configured to be coupled to cardiac tissue of a patient, the implant comprising:
a spool coupled to the implant; and
a flexible contracting member that is coupled to the spool and the sleeve, such that winding the contracting member around the spool tightens the contracting member; and
a tissue anchor comprising:
a distal tissue coupling element configured to couple the tissue anchor to the cardiac tissue of the patient; and
a proximal implant-receiving element configured to receive at least a portion of the implant and facilitate coupling of the implant to the tissue anchor, the proximal implant-receiving element comprising:
an implant-restraining element coupled to a portion of the implant-receiving element, the implant-restraining element being configured to restrain the implant from separating from the implant-receiving element.
27. The apparatus according to claim 26 , wherein the implant comprises an annuloplasty device.