Helical anchor implantation
A transluminal sheath is advanced transseptally into a left atrium of the subject. A distal end of a surrounding-sheath, having an anchor disposed therein, is advanced via a distal end of the transluminal sheath, into a left ventricle of the subject via a commissure of the mitral valve. While the distal end of the surrounding-sheath is in the left ventricle, the surrounding-sheath is pulled proximally with respect to the anchor to expose the anchor. While the distal end of the surrounding-sheath is in the left ventricle, mitral valve tissue that is within the left ventricle is encircled by helically wrapping the anchor around the mitral valve tissue. Subsequently, the surrounding-sheath is extracted from the heart. Other embodiments are also described.
1. A method, for use at a mitral valve of a heart of a subject, the method comprising:
advancing a transluminal sheath into a femoral vein of the subject, through an inferior vena cava of the subject, into a right atrium of the subject, and transseptally into a left atrium of the subject;
advancing a distal end of a surrounding-sheath, having an anchor disposed therein, via a distal end of the transluminal sheath, into a left ventricle of the subject via a commissure of the mitral valve;
while the distal end of the surrounding-sheath is in the left ventricle, pulling the surrounding-sheath proximally with respect to the anchor to expose the anchor;
while the distal end of the surrounding-sheath is in the left ventricle, encircling mitral valve tissue that is within the left ventricle, by helically wrapping the anchor around the mitral valve tissue; and
subsequently, extracting the surrounding-sheath from the heart.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein helically wrapping the anchor comprises positioning the anchor such that a wider end of the anchor is upstream of a narrower end of the anchor.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein helically wrapping the anchor comprises positioning the anchor such that a curved portion of the anchor having a greater radius of curvature is upstream of a curved portion of the anchor having a smaller radius of curvature.
4. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising, subsequently to the extracting of the surrounding-sheath, advancing a guide wire through the transluminal sheath.
5. The method according to claim 4 , further comprising, subsequently to the advancing of the guide wire:
advancing a prosthetic valve along the guide wire; and
implanting the prosthetic valve in the mitral valve such that the anchor facilitates anchoring of the prosthetic valve and sealing of the commissure.
6. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising, subsequently to the extracting of the surrounding-sheath, implanting a prosthetic valve in the mitral valve such that the anchor facilitates anchoring of the prosthetic valve and sealing of the commissure.