Devices, systems, and methods for reshaping a heart valve annulus

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods employ a heart implant structure that is sized and configured to be positioned in a left atrium above the plane of a native mitral heart valve annulus to affect mitral heart valve function. The implant structure includes a portion sized and configured to engage a wall of the left atrium above the plane of the native mitral valve annulus and to extend across the left atrium along a minor axis of the annulus.

1 . A method comprising
 providing a heart implant sized and configured to be positioned in a left atrium above the plane of a native mitral heart valve annulus to affect mitral heart valve function, the implant including a first portion sized and configured to engage a wall of the left atrium above the plane of the native mitral valve annulus and to extend across the left atrium along a minor axis of the annulus, the implant including a second portion sized and configured to extend through a septum to rest in a right atrium,   establishing an intravascular access path that extends from the right atrium through the septum and into the left atrium,   deploying the implant through the intravascular path into the left atrium, and   positioning the implant with the first portion engaging a wall of the left atrium above the plane of the native mitral valve annulus and extending across the left atrium along a minor axis of the annulus and with the second portion extending through the septum to rest in the right atrium, such that the implant affects mitral heart valve function.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1   wherein the implant is positioned so that the implant changes the shape of the native mitral heart valve annulus.   
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1   wherein the implant inwardly displaces tissue to shorten the minor axis.   
     
     
         4 . A heart implant comprising
 an implant structure sized and configured to be positioned in a left atrium above the plane of a native mitral heart valve annulus to affect mitral heart valve function, the implant structure including a first portion sized and configured to engage a wall of the left atrium above the plane of the native mitral valve annulus and to extend across the left atrium along a minor axis of the annulus, the implant structure including a second portion sized and configured to extend through a septum to rest in a right atrium.   
     
     
         5 . A heart implant according to  claim 4   wherein the implant structure is sized and configured so that, in use, the implant structure changes the shape of the native mitral heart valve annulus.   
     
     
         6 . A heart implant according to  claim 4   wherein the implant structure inwardly displaces tissue to shorten the minor axis.   
     
     
         7 . A method comprising
 providing a heart implant sized and configured to be positioned in a left atrium above the plane of a native mitral heart valve annulus to affect mitral heart valve function, the implant including a portion sized and configured to engage a wall of the left atrium above the plane of the native mitral valve annulus and to extend across the left atrium along a minor axis of the annulus,   establishing an intravascular access path that extends from the right atrium through the septum and into the left atrium,   deploying the implant through the intravascular path into the left atrium, and   positioning the implant with the portion engaging a wall of the left atrium above the plane of the native mitral valve annulus and extending across the left atrium along a minor axis of the annulus to affect mitral heart valve function.   
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7   wherein the implant is positioned so that the implant changes the shape of the native mitral heart valve annulus.   
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 7   wherein the implant inwardly displaces tissue to shorten the minor axis.   
     
     
         10 . A heart implant comprising
 an implant structure sized and configured to be positioned in a left atrium above the plane of a native mitral heart valve annulus to affect mitral heart valve function, the implant structure including a portion sized and configured to engage a wall of the left atrium above the plane of the native mitral valve annulus and to extend across the left atrium along a minor axis of the annulus.   
     
     
         11 . A heart implant according to  claim 10   wherein the implant structure is sized and configured so that, in use, the implant structure changes the shape of the native mitral heart valve annulus.   
     
     
         12 . A heart implant according to  claim 10   wherein the implant structure inwardly displaces tissue to shorten the minor axis.