Device and Method for Modifying the Shape of a Body Organ

Abstract

An intravascular support device includes a support or reshaper wire, a proximal anchor and a distal anchor. The support wire engages a vessel wall to change the shape of tissue adjacent the vessel in which the intravascular support is placed. The anchors and support wire are designed such that the vessel in which the support is placed remains open and can be accessed by other devices if necessary. The device provides a minimal metal surface area to blood flowing within the vessel to limit the creation of thrombosis. The anchors can be locked in place to secure the support within the vessel.

1 . A device for modifying the shape of tissue adjacent to a lumen, the device comprising: 
 an anchor adapted to be deployed by a catheter and expanded to an expanded condition to engage the lumen after deployment from the catheter;    a support extending from the anchor along a longitudinal axis and adapted to engage the lumen; and    a recapture mechanism adapted to assist the recapture of at least a portion of the device into the catheter, wherein the recapture mechanism comprises a first surface on the anchor and a second surface on the anchor, the slope of the first surface with respect to the longitudinal axis being less than the slope of the second surface with respect to the longitudinal axis, the first surface being closer to the longitudinal axis than the second surface is to the longitudinal axis.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the recapture mechanism is adapted to assist in compression of the anchor.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the anchor comprises first and second proximal arms, the recapture mechanism first surface and second surface being on the first proximal arm.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the recapture mechanism further comprises a third surface and a fourth surface on the second proximal arm, the slope of the third surface with respect to the longitudinal axis being less than the slope of the fourth surface with respect to the longitudinal axis, the third surface being closer to the longitudinal axis than the fourth surface is to the longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the anchor comprises a wire, the first and second surfaces being on the wire.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 5  further comprising a crimp connecting the wire to the support.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the first surface is closer to the crimp than the second surface is to the crimp.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the wire is formed in a figure eight configuration comprising first and second proximal arms and first and second distal arms.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8  wherein the wire first and second surfaces are on the first proximal arm, the recapture mechanism further comprising a third surface and a fourth surface on the second proximal arm, the slope of the third surface with respect to the longitudinal axis being less than the slope of the fourth surface with respect to the longitudinal axis, the third surface being closer to the longitudinal axis than the fourth surface is to the longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the anchor is a first anchor, the device further comprising a second anchor adapted to be deployed by the catheter and expanded to an expanded condition to engage the lumen after deployment from the catheter, the support extending from the first anchor to the second anchor.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the first and second anchors each comprise a proximal portion, the recapture mechanism comprising a surface on the proximal portion of each anchor.  
   
   
       12 . A device for modifying the shape of tissue adjacent to a lumen, the device comprising: 
 an anchor adapted to be deployed by a catheter and expanded to an expanded condition to engage the lumen after deployment from the catheter, the anchor comprising a wire;    a support extending from the anchor and adapted to engage the lumen;    a crimp attaching the wire to the support; and    a recapture mechanism adapted to assist the recapture of at least a portion of the device into the catheter by compressing the anchor from the expanded condition to a collapsed shape, wherein the recapture mechanism comprises a first surface on the anchor wire and a second surface on the anchor wire, the slope of the first surface with respect to the crimp less than the slope of the second surface with respect to the crimp, the first surface being closer to the crimp than the second surface is to the crimp.    
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12  wherein the anchor wire comprises a first arm and a second arm each disposed at a proximal end of the crimp, the first and second surfaces being on the first arm.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13  wherein the recapture mechanism further comprises a third surface and a fourth surface on the second arm, the slope of the third surface with respect to the crimp being less than the slope of the fourth surface with respect to the crimp, the third surface being closer to the crimp than the fourth surface is to the crimp.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14  wherein the crimp holds at least a portion of the first and second arms of the anchor wire in place with respect to each other as the anchor moves from its expanded condition to its collapsed shape during recapture of the anchor into a catheter.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 13  wherein the wire is formed in a figure eight configuration.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 12  wherein the anchor is a first anchor, the device further comprising a second anchor adapted to be deployed by the catheter and expanded to an expanded condition to engage the lumen after deployment from the catheter, the support extending from the first anchor to the second anchor.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 17  wherein the second anchor comprises a proximal portion, the recapture mechanism further comprising a surface on the proximal portion of the second anchor.