Suture and method for repairing a heart

Abstract

Devices and methods for treating or repairing a heart are disclosed. The device includes at least one anchor configured to engage tissue of a heart and a thread or other elongate member adapted to be coupled to the anchor and secured to heart tissue. The anchor may be attached to papillary muscle tissue and an elongate member may be attached to a valve leaflet for creating artificial chordae tendinae, thereby treating mitral valve prolapse. In another application, multiple anchors may be deployed within a ventricle and the threads pulled together for reducing dilation of a ventricle. A locking mechanism is provided for capturing and locking the threads together, thereby maintaining the ventricle in the reshaped condition.

1 . A device for deployment within a human heart, comprising:
 an anchor member having a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration, the anchor comprising a distal end and a proximal end and having a main body member, the anchor further comprising a plurality of radially-expandable prongs extending from the main body member, wherein the radially expandable prongs include tips, wherein with the anchor in the delivery configuration the plurality of radially-expandable prongs extend generally distally from the main body member, wherein with the anchor in the deployed configuration the plurality of radially-expandable prongs extend generally radially from the main body; and   an elongate member having a first end and a second end, wherein the elongate member first end is secured to the proximal end of the anchor, and the elongate member second end is configured to be secured to heart tissue.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate member is releasably secured to the proximal end of the anchor. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the elongate member is generally flexible, the anchor comprises an anchor loop at the anchor proximal end, and the elongate member is configured to be secured to the anchor by passing through the anchor loop. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate member is generally flexible. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the elongate member comprises a needle at or adjacent the elongate portion second end. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate member is generally rigid. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate member comprises a magnet. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor comprises an anchor surface configured to encourage tissue growth onto the anchor. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the anchor surface comprises a plurality of holes configured for tissue ingrowth therein. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor comprises a memory metal, and the anchor is biased toward the deployed configuration. 
   
   
       11 . An assembly for treating a heart, comprising:
 a plurality of anchors, each anchor configured for attachment to heart tissue via radially extendable prongs;   a plurality of elongate members having a distal portion and a proximal portion, each elongate member attached to one of the plurality of anchors at the elongate member distal portion; and   a clip locked onto the proximal portions of the plurality of elongate members.   
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 11  wherein the elongate members are generally flexible. 
   
   
       13 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein one or more of the elongate members comprise suture line. 
   
   
       14 . A method for treating a heart, comprising:
 securing an anchor to heart tissue at a first location, wherein the anchor comprises a plurality of radially extendable prongs configured to extend into heart tissue;   securing a distal portion of a generally flexible elongate member to the anchor;   securing a proximal portion of the generally flexible elongate member to heart tissue at a second location such that the generally elongate member provides tension between the heart tissue at the first location and the heart tissue at the second location.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 allowing tissue ingrowth to occur into the anchor, wherein allowing tissue ingrowth occurs prior to securing the proximal portion of the generally flexible elongate member to heart tissue at the second location.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein allowing tissue ingrowth occurs prior to securing the distal portion of the generally flexible elongate member to the anchor. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first location is in a distal portion of the coronary sinus. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the second location is in or proximal of a proximal portion of the coronary sinus, and the generally flexible elongate member extends through at least a portion of the coronary sinus and at least partially encircles a corresponding mitral valve annulus. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the anchor is deployed through the distal portion of the coronary sinus and engages against the left ventricular wall through the coronary sinus wall. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first location is in a first chamber of the heart, and the second location is in a second chamber of the heart. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein securing the anchor to heart tissue at the first location comprises introducing the anchor into the heart via a minimally invasive approach. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein securing the anchor to heart tissue at the first location comprises introducing the anchor into the heart via a percutaneous approach. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 actively monitoring heart function prior to securing the proximal portion of the generally flexible elongate member to heart tissue at a second location.   
   
   
       24 . A method for treating a heart, comprising:
 securing a plurality of anchors to heart tissue in or adjacent a first heart chamber, wherein the anchors each comprise a plurality of radially extendable prongs configured to extend into heart tissue;   securing a plurality of generally flexible elongate members to the anchors, wherein each generally flexible elongate member comprises a distal portion and a proximal portion, and the distal portion of each generally flexible elongate member is secured to at least one anchor;   securing the proximal portions of the generally flexible elongate member together via a clip such that tension is applied between the clip and the generally flexible elongate members.   
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the clip is positioned in or adjacent a second heart chamber, and further comprising:
 passing the generally flexible elongate members between the first heart chamber and the second heart chamber.   
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the clip is positioned on a septum dividing the first heart chamber from the second heart chamber, and further comprising:
 passing the generally flexible elongate members through the septum.   
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the clip is positioned on an exterior surface of the heart, and further comprising:
 passing the generally flexible elongate members through the heart wall.