Apparatus and method for reducing mitral regurgitation

Abstract

Apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation, including a bendable elongated body adapted to be inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the elongated body being adjustable between a first configuration adapted to be delivered into the coronary sinus and a second configuration adapted to exert a force onto the posterior annulus. The body includes a flexible spine having a proximal end and a distal end, and a flexible wire mounted on the spine and having a distal end fixed to the spine proximate to the distal end of the spine, and having a proximal portion extending from the proximal end of the spine. Axial movement of the wire causes a change in the spine from the first configuration to the second configuration to exert the force on the posterior annulus and thereby reduce mitral regurgitation.

1 . Apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation, the apparatus comprising: 
 a bendable elongated body adapted to be inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the elongated body being adjustable between a first configuration adapted to be delivered into the coronary sinus and a second configuration adapted to exert a force onto the posterior annulus, the body comprising:    a flexible spine having a proximal end and a distal end; and    a flexible wire mounted on said spine and having a distal end fixed to said spine proximate to the distal end of said spine, and having a proximal portion extending from the proximal end of said spine;    whereby axial movement of said wire causes a change in said spine from the first configuration to the second configuration to exert the force on the posterior annulus and thereby reduce mitral regurgitation.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the axial movement of said wire in a proximal direction causes said spine reconfiguration to a lesser curve having a greater radius of curvature.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the axial movement of said wire in a distal direction causes said spine to reconfigure to a more pronounced curve having a lesser radius of curvature.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the first configuration is curved and the second configuration is a selected one of (i) more curved and (ii) less curved.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 4  wherein the less curved configuration is substantially straight.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said spine is provided with barbs thereon.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said spine comprises portions each defining a channel for said wire.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein loops are fixed to said spine and said wire extends through said loops and is movable therethrough.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 8  wherein the loops are defined by staples.  
   
   
       10 . Apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation, the apparatus comprising: 
 a bendable elongated body adapted to be inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the elongated body being adjustable between a first configuration adapted to be delivered into the coronary sinus and a second configuration adapted to exert a force onto the posterior annulus, the body comprising:    a flexible spine having a proximal end and a distal end; and    a flexible wire mounted on said spine and having a distal end fixed to said spine proximate to the distal end of said spine, and having a proximal portion extending from the proximal end of said spine;    whereby pulling of said wire causes straightening of said spine to move said spine from the first configuration to the second configuration to exert the force on the posterior annulus and thereby reduce mitral regurgitation.    
   
   
       11 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 10  wherein loops are mounted on said spine and said wire is movable therein.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said loops are staples.  
   
   
       13 . A method for reducing mitral regurgitation, the method comprising the steps of: 
 positioning a prosthesis in a coronary sinus, the prosthesis comprising:    a bendable elongated body adapted to be inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the elongated body being adjustable between a first configuration adapted to be delivered into the coronary sinus and a second configuration adapted to exert a force onto the posterior annulus, the body comprising:    a flexible spine having a proximal end and a distal end; and    a flexible wire mounted on said spine and having a distal end fixed to said spine proximate to the distal end of said spine, and having a proximal portion extending from the proximal end of said spine; and    moving the wire axially to cause a change in the spine from the first configuration to the second configuration to exert the force on the posterior annulus and thereby reduce mitral regurgitation.    
   
   
       14 . A method for reducing mitral regurgitation, the method comprising the steps of: 
 positioning a prosthesis in a coronary sinus, the prosthesis comprising:    a bendable elongated body adapted to be inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the elongated body being adjustable between a first configuration adapted to be delivered into the coronary sinus and a second configuration adapted to exert a force onto the posterior annulus, the body comprising:    a flexible spine having a proximal end and a distal end; and    a flexible wire mounted on said spine and having a distal end fixed to said spine proximate to the distal end of said spine, and having a proximal portion extending from the proximal end of said spine; and    pulling the wire to straighten the spine to move the spine from the first configuration to the second configuration to exert the force on the posterior annulus and thereby reduce mitral regurgitation.    
   
   
       15 . A method for reducing mitral regurgitation, the method comprising scarring the mitral valve annulus to cause contraction thereof.  
   
   
       16 . The method in accordance with  claim 15  wherein the scarring is accomplished by injecting a scarring medium into the mitral valve annulus.  
   
   
       17 . The method in accordance with  claim 16  wherein the medium comprises energy selected from a group of energies consisting of chemical, thermal, cryogenic, laser and radio frequency.