Tissue grasping devices and related methods
A tissue gripping device is formed from a shape-memory material, and has a base section, a first arm, and a second arm disposed opposite the first arm, each arm having a first end coupled to the base section and a free end extending from the base section. The arms of the tissue gripping device are configured to resiliently flex toward a relaxed configuration in a distal direction as the tissue gripping device is moved from a pre-deployed configuration toward a deployed configuration. The tissue gripping device is usable in a method for gripping tissue. The method includes positioning the tissue gripping device near target tissue and moving the tissue gripping device from a pre-deployed configuration toward a deployed configuration in order to grip the target tissue.
1. A tissue fixation kit, the kit comprising:
a delivery catheter; and
a tissue fixation system couplable to the delivery catheter at a distal end of the delivery catheter, the tissue fixation system configured for intravascular delivery and for heart valve tissue treatment, wherein the tissue fixation system includes:
a center portion defining a longitudinal axis,
a distal element pivotally moveable relative the longitudinal axis, and
a gripper formed of a shape-memory material, wherein at least a portion of the gripper is configured to move relative to the distal element to capture native valve leaflet tissue therebetween, wherein the gripper includes:
a bend configured to flex to allow the gripper to move relative to the distal element,
a furcated section having an opening defined therein, the opening including:
a first end portion having a first maximum cross-dimension defined at a widest location within the first end portion, and
a second end portion having a second maximum cross-dimension defined at a widest location within the second end portion,
wherein the first maximum cross-dimension is different than the second maximum cross-dimension.
2. The kit of claim 1 , wherein the opening of the furcated section is fully enclosed.
3. The kit of claim 1 , wherein the first end portion and the second end portion each have a terminal end.
4. The kit of claim 1 , wherein the second end portion comprises curved opposing lateral edges.
5. The kit of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of a length of the furcated section is within the bend.
6. The kit of claim 1 , wherein the second end portion is located closer to the bend than the first end portion.
7. The kit of claim 1 , wherein the second maximum cross-dimension is greater than the first maximum cross-dimension.
8. The kit of claim 1 , wherein the second end portion comprises opposing lateral edges tapered towards the first end portion.
9. The kit of claim 8 , wherein the second end portion opposing lateral edges are curved.
10. The kit of claim 8 , wherein the second end portion has a radiused terminal end.
11. The kit of claim 1 , wherein the gripper further includes a barb section comprising at least one barb, wherein the furcated section is separate from the barb section.
12. The kit of claim 1 , further comprising a handle couplable to the delivery catheter at a proximal end of the delivery catheter.