Method and apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation

Abstract

A method for reducing mitral regurgitation includes deploying deforming matter into a selected one of (i) a mitral valve annulus adjacent a posterior leaflet, and (ii) tissue adjacent the mitral valve annulus and proximate the posterior leaflet, to cause conformational change in the mitral valve annulus to increase mitral valve leaflet coaptation.

1 . A method for reducing mitral regurgitation, the method comprising deploying deforming matter into a selected one of (i) a mitral valve annulus adjacent a posterior leaflet and (ii) tissue adjacent the mitral valve annulus proximate the posterior leaflet, to cause a conformational change in the annulus, and thereby a conformational change in the posterior leaflet, to increase mitral valve leaflet coaptation.  
   
   
       2 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the deforming matter is deployed into the mitral valve annulus in such a manner as to displace the posterior leaflet toward a mitral valve anterior leaflet.  
   
   
       3 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the deforming matter is deployed into the tissue adjacent the mitral valve annulus adjacent the posterior leaflet to cause the conformational change in the mitral valve annulus which displaces the mitral valve annulus adjacent the posterior leaflet, and thereby the posterior leaflet, toward a mitral valve anterior leaflet.  
   
   
       4 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the deforming matter comprises a device which is at least one of (i) solid and (ii) substantially rigid.  
   
   
       5 . The method in accordance with  claim 4  wherein the device comprises a selected one of (i) a stent, (ii) an articulating structure, (iii) a monofilament, (iv) a bar, and (v) solid pellets.  
   
   
       6 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the deforming matter comprises a substance which occupies a volume of the selected one of (i) the mitral valve annulus, and (ii) the tissue adjacent thereto, to cause the conformational change to the annulus and thereby the posterior leaflet.  
   
   
       7 . The method in accordance with  claim 6  wherein the deforming substance comprises at least one of a gel, a saline solution, a sponge, a powder, and a gas.  
   
   
       8 . The method in accordance with  claim 6  wherein the deforming substance comprises capsules containing at least one of a gel, a saline solution, a powder and a gas.  
   
   
       9 . The method in accordance with  claim 6  wherein the deforming matter comprises a hydrogel.  
   
   
       10 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the deforming matter comprises a scarring substance which causes contraction of the mitral valve annulus to effect the conformational change thereof.  
   
   
       11 . The method in accordance with  claim 10  wherein deploying the scarring substance comprises injecting the scarring substance directly into the selected one of the mitral valve annulus and the tissue adjacent thereto.  
   
   
       12 . The method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the deforming matter comprises at least one balloon.  
   
   
       13 . The method in accordance with  claim 12  wherein a needle is used to puncture a coronary sinus proximate the mitral valve posterior leaflet and insert the at least one balloon into the selected one of the mitral annulus and the tissue adjacent thereto.  
   
   
       14 . The method in accordance with  claim 13  wherein the at least one balloon is elongated and is inflated by the needle as the needle is withdrawn.  
   
   
       15 . The method in accordance with  claim 14  wherein the at least one balloon is inflated to a volume and stiffness to effect a desired conformational change to the mitral valve annulus and thereby the posterior leaflet.  
   
   
       16 . A method for reducing mitral regurgitation, the method comprising deploying deforming matter into a at least one of (i) a mitral valve annulus and (ii) tissue adjacent the mitral valve annulus, to cause a conformational change in the annulus, and thereby a posterior leaflet, to increase mitral valve leaflet coaptation.  
   
   
       17 . An assembly for reducing mitral regurgitation, the assembly comprising: 
 a delivery catheter adapted for insertion into a coronary sinus;    a needle for movement through said delivery catheter and adapted to penetrate the coronary sinus and enter tissue between the coronary sinus and a mitral valve annulus adjacent a posterior leaflet, and adapted to enter the mitral valve annulus, and    deforming matter adapted to be carried by the needle and deployed in at least one of the tissue and the mitral valve annulus.    
   
   
       18 . The assembly in accordance with  claim 17  wherein said deforming matter comprises at least one of a mechanical structure, a fluid, a gel, a hydrogel, a powder, pellets, a scarring substance, a balloon, and a capsule containing a selected one of the fluid, the gel, the hydrogel, the powder, and the scarring substance.