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 treating mitral valve regurgitation, comprising:
 providing a device comprising a distal anchor, a proximal anchor, and a connector connecting the distal and proximal anchors;   advancing the device through a patient's vasculature within a delivery device;   expanding the distal anchor from a collapsed configuration within the delivery device to an expanded configuration with an expanded diameter in a coronary vessel lumen;   expanding the proximal anchor from a collapsed configuration within the delivery device to an expanded configuration with an expanded diameter at a location proximal to the distal anchor,   wherein the expanding steps comprise expanding the proximal anchor to an expanded configuration with an expanded diameter than is at least about 133% greater than the expanded diameter of the distal anchor.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the advancing step comprises advancing the distal anchor and the proximal anchor within the delivery device in collapsed configurations which have substantially the same diameters. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the expanding steps comprise expanding the proximal anchor to an expanded configuration with an expanded diameter than is at least about 200% greater than the expanded diameter of the distal anchor. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the expanding steps comprise expanding the proximal anchor to an expanded configuration with an expanded diameter than is at least about 333% greater than the expanded diameter of the distal anchor. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein expanding the distal anchor comprises moving the delivery device proximally relative to the distal anchor to allow the distal anchor to self-expand. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein expanding the proximal anchor comprises moving the delivery device proximally relative to the proximal anchor to allow the proximal anchor to self-expand. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising locking the distal anchor in the expanded configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising locking the proximal anchor in the expanded configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the distal expansion step comprises anchoring the distal anchor in the coronary vessel lumen, and wherein the proximal expansion step comprises anchoring the proximal anchor at a location proximal relative to the distal anchor. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising pulling the proximal anchor proximally after the distal anchor is expanded and anchored in the lumen to cause the geometry of the mitral valve annulus to be modified. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the proximal expansion step occurs after the proximal anchor is pulled in the proximal direction, and wherein the proximal expansion step maintains the modified geometry of the mitral valve annulus.