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.

1 . An annuloplasty system for repairing a valve in a patient's heart, said annuloplasty system comprising a surgical implant having first and second ends, first and second anchors, and a needle, said implant having a plurality of curves pre-formed therein and being adapted to form a partial ring along a portion of one of the valve annulae of a patient's hear; said annuloplasty system having a first state for placing said implant along said portion of one of the valve annulae and a second state for securing said implant to said portion of one of the valve annulae with said anchors; when said annuloplasty system is in said first state, each one of said anchors is coupled to a different one of said implant ends with at least one of said anchors being exposed, said implant ends are uncoupled from one another, and said needle is releasably coupled to one of said implant ends; and when said annuloplasty system is in said second state, said implant ends remain uncoupled from one another and said needle is uncoupled from said one of said implant ends.  
   
   
       2 . The annuloplasty system of  claim 1  wherein said implant comprises a member that is axially elastic.  
   
   
       3 . The annuloplasty system of  claim 1  wherein said implant comprises a wire having an undulating memory configuration.  
   
   
       4 . The annuloplasty system of  claim 1  wherein said implant comprises a wire formed with a plurality of loops between said end portions and at least one of said anchors comprises a surgical fastener.