Annuloplasty apparatus and methods

Abstract

An annuloplasty system for repairing a valve in a patient's heart comprises a surgical implant including a member having first and second end portions. The implant member further is configured and/or adapted to form a partial ring along a portion of one of the valve annulae of a patient's heart such as the mitral or tricuspid valve annulus. The implant member is axially elastic such that it can axially expand and contract and includes first and second anchors extending from the end portions of the implant member. The anchors are adapted to anchor the implant in tissue such as the mitral or tricuspid valve annulus. The system can facilitate tissue plication (e.g., of the posterior annulus of the mitral valve or the annulus of the tricuspid valve) and reinforcement of a valve annulus.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An annuloplasty system for repairing a valve in a patient's heart, said annuloplasty system comprising a surgical implant including a member having first and second end portions, said member further being adapted to form a partial ring along a portion of one of the valve annulae of a patient's heart, said member being axially elastic, said implant further including first and second anchors extending from the end portions of the implant member and adapted to anchor the implant to the valve annulus.  
     
     
         2 . The annuloplasty system of  claim 1  wherein said implant member comprises at least one spring element that allows axial extension and contraction of the implant.  
     
     
         3 . The annuloplasty system of  claim 1  wherein said implant comprises a wire having a diameter and a plurality of curves, the transverse dimension of said implant being about five to ten times greater than the diameter of said wire.  
     
     
         4 . The annuloplasty system of  claim 1  wherein said implant comprises wire having an undulating configuration.  
     
     
         5 . The annuloplasty system of  claim 4  wherein one of said anchors is pivotally coupled to said implant.  
     
     
         6 . The annuloplasty system of  claim 4  further including a flexible member having a first end secured to said needle and a second end releasably coupled to said first end portion of said implant.  
     
     
         7 . The annuloplasty system of  claim 6  further including a coupling, said coupling releasably coupling the second end of said flexible member and the first end portion of said implant.  
     
     
         8 . The annuloplasty system of  claim 3  wherein said implant wire is formed with a plurality of loops.  
     
     
         9 . The annuloplasty system of  claim 8  wherein said loops form spring elements.  
     
     
         10 . The annuloplasty system of  claim 1  further including a flexible member having a first end secured to said needle and a second end releasably coupled to said first end portion of said implant member.  
     
     
         11 . An annuloplasty system for repairing a valve in a patient's heart, said annuloplasty system comprising a surgical implant, a needle, a flexible member, a coupling, said implant being coupled to said coupling, said coupling being secured to said flexible member, and said flexible member being secured to said needle, said implant including a wire member adapted to form a partial ring along a portion of one of the valve annulae of a patient's heart and being axially elastic such that it can axially expand and contract in response to cardiac movement, said implant wire member having a plurality of curves formed therein.