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 method of recapturing a device deployed in a lumen to modify the shape of tissue adjacent to the lumen, the method comprising: 
 holding the device in place within the lumen;    advancing a catheter distally within the lumen;    engaging a distal surface of the catheter with a recapture mechanism of the device; and    recapturing at least a portion of the device into the catheter.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the device comprises an anchor, the recapture mechanism being on the anchor, the recapturing step comprising moving the catheter distally to place the anchor inside the catheter.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the recapturing step comprises compressing the anchor.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the recapture mechanism comprises a surface on the anchor, the engaging step comprising engaging the distal surface of the catheter with the recapture surface on the anchor.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the recapture surface on the anchor comprises a first surface on the anchor and a second surface on the anchor, the slope of the first surface with respect to a wall of the lumen being less than the slope of the second surface with respect to the wall of the lumen, the first surface being closer to the wall of the lumen than the second surface is to the wall of the lumen, the engaging step comprising engaging the distal surface of the catheter with the first surface of the anchor before engaging the distal surface of the catheter with the second surface of the anchor.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the anchor comprises first and second proximal arms, and wherein the recapture surface on the anchor comprises a first surface on the first proximal arm and a second surface on the first proximal arm, the slope of the first surface with respect to a wall of the lumen being less than the slope of the second surface with respect to the wall of the lumen, the first surface being closer to the wall of the lumen than the second surface is to the wall of the lumen, the engaging step comprising engaging the distal surface of the catheter with the first surface of the recapture surface before engaging the distal surface of the catheter with the second surface of the recapture surface.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the recapture surface further comprises a third surface on the second proximal arm and a fourth surface on the second proximal arm, the slope of the third surface with respect to the wall of the lumen being less than the slope of the fourth surface with respect to the wall of the lumen, the third surface being closer to the wall of the lumen than the fourth surface is to the wall of the lumen, the engaging step further comprising engaging the distal surface of the catheter with the third surface of the recapture surface before engaging the distal surface of the catheter with the fourth surface of the recapture surface.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the recapture mechanism is a recapture surface on the device, the engaging step comprising engaging the distal surface of the catheter with the recapture surface on the device.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the device comprises first and second anchors, the recapture mechanism being on at least the first anchor, the recapturing step comprising moving the catheter distally to place the first and second anchors inside the catheter.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the holding step comprises holding the device in place with a tether extending proximally from the device.