Valve to myocardium tension members device and method

Abstract

A device for heart valve repair including at least one tension member having a first end and second end. A basal anchor is disposed at the first end of the tension member and a secondary anchor at the second end. The method includes the steps of anchoring the basal anchor proximate a heart valve and anchoring the secondary anchor at a location spaced from the valve such that the chamber geometry is altered to reduce heart wall tension and/or stress on the valve leaflets.

1 - 17 . (canceled)  
     
     
         18 . A method of treating mitral valvular regurgitation in a human heart, the method comprising: 
 providing a self-anchoring mechanical device;    identifying a target region of a myocardium of the heart; and    positioning the self-anchoring mechanical device within a portion of the identified target region so as to adjust a position of a base of at least one papillary muscle coupled to a mitral valve.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the position is adjusted by decreasing distension of the base.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the self-anchoring mechanical device comprises a longitudinal axis, the method further comprising: 
 positioning the longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the endocardial surface in an apex-to-base direction.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the target region comprises the apical base region of the heart.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the target region comprises a wall of the left ventricle.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein: the identified target region comprises at least one of normal tissue, infarcted tissue, peri-infarcted tissue and ischemic tissue.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the self-anchoring mechanical device restricts or limits motion in the identified target region.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the mechanical device comprises a flexible member.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the mechanical device is placed in one of: a relaxed condition; and a pre-stretched condition.  
     
     
         27 . A method of treating mitral valvular regurgitation, the method comprising: 
 providing a restraining device having a distal anchor and a proximal anchor;    embedding the distal anchor of the device in heart tissue; and    embedding the proximal anchor in the heart tissue, wherein the restraining device is substantially positioned in a mid-wall of the heart and oriented approximately parallel to an endocardial surface in an apex-to-base direction to adjust a position of a base of at least one papillary muscle coupled to a mitral valve.    
     
     
         28 . The method as recited in  claim 27 , further comprising: adjusting an amount of tension between the distal anchor and the proximal anchor on the restraining device, the tension urging the anchors toward one another.  
     
     
         29 . The method as recited in  claim 28 , further comprising: embedding the proximal anchor in the heart tissue while the device is under tension.  
     
     
         30 . The method as recited in  claim 27 , wherein: tension of the restraining device causes a decrease in a distance from a base of the papillary muscle to the mitral valve plane.  
     
     
         31 . The method as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the heart tissue in which the restraining device is positioned comprises at least one of: peri-infarcted heart tissue; infarcted heart tissue; ischemic heart tissue; and non-ischemic heart tissue.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the restraining device comprises a flexible member and adjusting the amount of tension of the restraining device comprises at least one of: placing the restraining member in a relaxed condition; and placing the restraining member in a pre-stretched condition.  
     
     
         33 . A method of treating a heart, the method comprising: 
 providing a restraining device having a distal anchor and a proximal anchor;    embedding the distal anchor of the device in heart tissue; and    embedding the proximal anchor in the heart tissue, wherein the restraining device is substantially positioned in a mid-wall of the heart.    
     
     
         34 . The method as recited in  claim 33 , further comprising: orienting the restraining device to adjust a position of a base of at least one papillary muscle coupled to a mitral valve.  
     
     
         35 . The method as recited in  claim 33 , further comprising: orienting the restraining device approximately parallel to an endocardial surface in an apex-to-base direction.  
     
     
         36 . The method as recited in  claim 35 , further comprising: adjusting a tension of the restraining device to decrease a distance from a base of a papillary muscle to a mitral valve plane.  
     
     
         37 . The method as recited in  claim 33 , further comprising: orienting the restraining device approximately parallel to a circumferential plane of the heart.  
     
     
         38 . A method of treating a heart with mitral valvular regurgitation as recited in  claim 33 .  
     
     
         39 . A method of treating a heart in which a myocardial infarction has occurred as recited in  claim 33.