Devices and Systems for Reshaping a Heart Valve Annulus, Using a Tensioning Implant
Implants or systems of implants apply a selected force vector or a selected combination of force vectors within or across the left atrium, which allow mitral valve leaflets to better coapt. The implants or systems of implants make possible rapid deployment, facile endovascular delivery, and full intra-atrial retrievability. The implants or systems of implants also make use of strong fluoroscopic landmarks.
1 . An implant system to treat a mitral heart valve comprising
a posterior anchor structure sized and configured to extend within the great cardiac vein,
at least one implant sized and configured to extend across a left atrium, said at least one implant including:
a bridging implant member having:
a posterior anchoring region sized and configured to extend from the left atrium into the great cardiac vein and couple to the posterior anchor structure within the great cardiac vein,
an anterior anchoring region sized and configured to extend from the left atrium through an interatrial septum and into a right atrium, and
a bridging region between the posterior and anterior anchoring regions sized and configured to span the left atrium; and
an anterior anchor sized and configured to couple to the anterior anchoring region in or near the right atrium to hold in tension the bridging element between the posterior and anterior anchoring regions.
2 . The implant system according to claim 1
wherein said bridging implant member is a wire form structure.
3 . The implant structure according to claim 2
wherein the said wire form structure comprises a suture material.
4 . An implant system according to claim 1
wherein the posterior anchor structure comprises a structure separate from the implant to which the posterior anchoring region is joined.
5 . An implant system according to claim 1
wherein the posterior anchor structure comprises a structure integrally joined to the posterior anchoring region.
6 . An implant system according to claim 1
wherein the posterior anchor structure comprises a stent-like structure.
7 . An implant system according to claim 1
wherein the posterior anchor structure comprises, at least in part, a radiopaque structure.
8 . An implant system according to claim 1
wherein the posterior anchor structure includes a magnetic or ferromagnetic material.
9 . An implant system according to claim 1
wherein the posterior anchor structure includes at least one anchoring site sized and configured to accommodate attachment of the posterior anchoring region.
10 . An implant system according to claim 9
wherein the at least one anchoring site includes a magnetic or ferromagnetic material.
11 . An implant system according to claim 1
wherein the posterior anchor structure includes at least one anchoring site sized and configured to accommodate attachment of the posterior anchoring region, and a region extending either medially from the anchoring site, or laterally from the anchoring site, or both medially or laterally from the anchoring site.
12 . An implant system according to claim 1
wherein the posterior anchor structure comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a rigid material, or a semi-rigid material, or a flexible material, or a porous material, or combinations thereof.
13 . An implant system according to claim 1
wherein the posterior anchor structure includes one or more components to engage tissue within the great cardiac vein.
14 . An implant system according to claim 1
wherein the posterior anchoring region includes means for mechanically engaging at least a portion of the posterior anchoring structure within the great cardiac vein.
15 . An implant system according to claim 1
wherein the posterior anchoring region includes a cross-bar structure for engaging at least a portion of the posterior anchoring structure within the great cardiac vein.
16 . An implant system according to claim 1
wherein the posterior anchoring region includes a magnetic or ferromagnetic material.
17 . An implant system according to claim 1
wherein the posterior anchor structure includes at least one anchoring site sized and configured to accommodate attachment of the posterior anchoring region, the at least one anchoring site including a material magnetically attracted to the magnetic or ferromagnetic material on the posterior anchoring region.
18 . An implant system according to claim 1
wherein the anterior anchoring structure is sized and configured for attachment on the interatrial septum.
19 . An implant system according to claim 1
wherein the anterior anchoring structure is sized and configured for attachment on the interatrial septum in a region at or near of the fossa ovalis.
20 . An implant system according to claim 1
wherein the anterior anchoring structure is sized and configured for attachment within the superior vena cava, and further including a pass-through element on the interatrial septum through which the anterior anchoring region extends without anchoring to the interatrial septum.
21 . An implant system according to claim 1
wherein the anterior anchoring structure is sized and configured for attachment within the inferior vena cava, and further including a pass-through element on the interatrial septum through which the anterior anchoring region extends without anchoring to the interatrial septum.
22 . An implant system according to claim 1
wherein the anterior anchoring structure is sized and configured for attachment within the inferior vena cava and the superior vena cava, and further including a pass-through element on the interatrial septum through which the anterior anchoring region extends without anchoring to the interatrial septum.
23 . An implant system according to claim 1
wherein the bridging region is collapsible for placement within a catheter.
24 . An implant system according to claim 1
wherein the posterior anchor structure is collapsible for placement within a catheter.