Treatment of mitral insufficiency

Abstract

A device for treatment of mitral annulus dilation is disclosed, wherein the device comprises two states. In a first of these states the device is insertable into the coronary sinus and has a shape of the coronary sinus. When positioned in the coronary sinus, the device is transferable to the second state assuming a reduced radius of curvature, whereby the radius of curvature of the coronary sinus and the radius of curvature as well as the circumference of the mitral annulus is reduced.

1 . A method of reshaping a mitral valve annulus comprising: compressing a mitral valve annuloplasty device into a catheter, the mitral valve annuloplasty device comprising a first anchor and a second anchor and a connector between said anchors, the connector comprising a spring; placing the catheter in a lumen adjacent to the mitral valve annulus; removing the catheter from at least part of the device and engaging the first anchor with a wall of the lumen without penetrating the lumen wall; after the removing step and the engaging step, releasing a tensile load from a distal portion of the connector. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising applying a tensile load to the distal portion of the connector. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the releasing step comprises permitting the spring to change from a first length to a second length. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising removing a tether from the spring. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising engaging a second anchor before the step of removing the tether. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the releasing step comprises changing the length of the mitral valve annuloplasty device. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the releasing step comprises changing stiffness of the spring. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the releasing step comprises changing a force exerted between the first and second anchors. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising engaging the second anchor with the wall of the lumen. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step of engaging the second anchor is performed after the releasing step. 
     
     
         11 . A method of reshaping a mitral valve annulus comprising: contracting a mitral valve annuloplasty device into a catheter, the mitral valve annuloplasty device comprising a first anchor and a second anchor and a connecting member between said anchors, the connecting member comprising a spring member; placing the catheter in a vessel adjacent to the mitral valve annulus; removing the catheter from at least part of the device and engaging the first anchor with a wall of the vessel without penetrating the vessel wall; after the removing step and the engaging step, releasing a tensile load from a distal portion of the connecting member. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising applying a tensile load to the distal portion of the connecting member. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the releasing step comprises permitting the spring member to change from a first length to a second length. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising removing a retaining member from the spring member. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising engaging a second anchor before the step of removing the retaining member. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the releasing step comprises changing the length of the mitral valve annuloplasty device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the releasing step comprises changing stiffness of the spring member. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the releasing step comprises changing a force exerted between the first and second anchors. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising engaging the second anchor with the wall of the vessel. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the step of engaging the second anchor is performed after the releasing step.