ANNULOPLASTY PROCEDURES, RELATED DEVICES AND METHODS
Devices and methods are disclosed for the treatment or repair of regurgitant cardiac valves, such as a mitral valve. An illustrative annuloplasty device can be placed in the coronary sinus to reshape the mitral valve and reduce mitral valve regurgitation. An improved protective device can be placed between the annuloplasty device and an underlying coronary artery to inhibit compression of the underlying coronary artery by the annuloplasty device in the coronary sinus. In addition, the protective device can inhibit compression of the coronary artery from inside the heart, such as from a prosthetic mitral valve that exerts radially outward pressure toward the coronary artery. The annuloplasty device can also create an artificial inner ridge or retaining feature projecting into the native mitral valve region to help secure a prosthetic mitral valve.
1 . An implant, comprising:
an elongate inner tether having a first end, a second end, and including radiopaque material along its length;
an outer sheath material having a first end and a second end, the outer sheath material surrounding and encasing the bridge and elongate inner tether; and
at least one sensor circuit disposed at least partially within the outer sheath, the at least one sensor circuit including at least one sensor to sense at least one biological parameter.
2 . The implant of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one pressure sensor configured to sense pressure proximate the sensor.
3 . The implant of claim 2 , wherein the at least one pressure sensor is configured to sense blood pressure.
4 . The implant of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one chemical sensor configured to sense the presence of at least one chemical.
5 . The implant of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one distance sensor.
6 . The implant of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one sensor configured to detect electro physiological data.
7 . The implant of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one movement sensor configured to sense movement.
8 . The implant of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor includes at least one location sensor configured to sense location.
9 . The implant of claim 1 , further comprising a selectively removable proximal push tube disposed at least partially within the outer sheath material, a distal end of the proximal push tube being located in a central region of the implant, wherein the inner elongate tether passes through a central lumen of the proximal push tube.
10 . The implant of claim 9 , further comprising a selectively removable distal pull tube disposed at least partially within the outer sheath material, a proximal end of the distal push tube being located in a central region of the implant, wherein the inner elongate tether passes through a central lumen of the distal push tube.
11 . The implant of claim 10 , wherein the proximal push tube and distal pull tube are each made at least in part from polymeric material.
12 . The implant of claim 1 , wherein the inner tether includes a radiopaque wire inserted therein along its length.
13 . The implant of claim 1 , wherein the inner tether includes radiopaque material embedded therein along its length.
14 . The implant of claim 1 , further comprising a lock, the lock including a main body portion and a pair of passageways, wherein a first passageway of the pair of passageways is configured to receive a respective first end of the elongate inner tether and the outer sheath material, and further wherein a second passageway of the pair of passageways is configured to receive a respective second end of the elongate inner tether and the outer sheath material.
15 . The implant of claim 14 , wherein the main body portion includes an electrical power source configured to be electrically coupled to at least one electrical conductor located within the outer sheath material.
16 . The implant of claim 15 , wherein each said passageway is comprised at least in part by a tubular body, wherein at least one of said tubular bodies includes an electrical conductor operably coupled to the electrical power source.
17 . The implant of claim 14 , wherein at least one sensor or at least one electrode is formed over a surface of the lock.
18 . The implant of claim 1 , wherein the implant includes at least one cardiac pacing lead that is disposed at least partially within the outer sheath material.
19 . The implant of claim 14 , wherein the cardiac pacing lead is configured and arranged to interface with a right ventricle or a cardiac vein.
20 . The implant of claim 14 , wherein the main body portion includes a controller that is configured and arranged to provide at least one of cardiac pacing, cardiac defibrillation, cardiac measurement and cardiac control.