Cardiac valve leaflet attachment device and methods thereof

Abstract

A medical device system comprising a guide catheter and a leaflet fastening applicator, the guide catheter having suitable dimensions for deployment and insertion percutaneously into a human heart in a vicinity of a heart valve, the leaflet fastening applicator having a size allowing insertion through the guide catheter and being capable of holding portions of opposing heart valve leaflets, wherein the fastening applicator comprises a pair of grasping-electrodes adapted for holding and engaging the portions of opposing heart valve leaflets together and for applying energy to fasten the portions, in which heart valve leaflets can be captured and securely fastened, thereby improving coaptation of the leaflets and improving competence of the valve.

1 . A method for fastening a portion of a first valve leaflet with a portion of a second valve leaflet in a patient, said method comprising: 
 holding said portion of the first valve leaflet in contact with said portion of the second valve leaflet; and    applying energy to securely fasten said two portions together.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the energy comprises an energy source selected from the group consisting of radiofrequency energy, ultrasound energy, laser energy, microwave energy, and electromagnetic energy.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein holding comprises applying suction to hold said portion of the first valve leaflet in contact with said portion of the second valve leaflet.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein holding comprises grasping the leaflets with a grasper.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein holding comprises portions of opposing valve leaflets with a leaflet fastening applicator.  
     
     
         6 . A method for treating a valvular annulus, said method comprising: 
 fastening portions of two opposite leaflets; and    applying energy to the valvular annulus to shrink at least a portion of the annulus tissue.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein fastening comprises: 
 holding a portion of the first valve leaflet in contact with a portion of the second valve leaflet; and    applying energy to securely fasten said portions of two opposite leaflets together.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the energy comprises an energy source selected from the group consisting of radiofrequency energy, ultrasound energy, laser energy, microwave energy, and electromagnetic energy.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein holding comprises applying suction to hold said portion of the first valve leaflet in contact with said portion of the second valve leaflet.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein fastening portions of two opposite leaflets and applying energy are carried out percutaneously.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the applied energy comprises radiofrequency energy.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the applied energy comprises ultrasound energy.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the applied energy comprises microwave energy.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the applied energy comprises laser energy.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein holding comprises grasping the leaflets with a grasper.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein holding comprises portions of opposing valve leaflets with a leaflet fastening applicator.