Device and method for reshaping mitral valve annulus

Abstract

Methods for treating a defective mitral valve are provided. One preferred method comprises attaching opposing ends of a tether to opposing regions of the mitral valve annulus. The tether is advanced percutaneously into the left atrium by a therapy catheter. Vacuum ports may be provided on the therapy catheter for grasping tissue along the mitral valve annulus. The therapy catheter may also include advanceable needles for passing the tether through the tissue. Alternatively, the ends of the tether may be attached to fastener elements which are secured to the tissue. Tension in the tether pulls the opposing regions of the mitral valve annulus into closer proximity for improving mitral valve function.

1 . A method for repairing a mitral valve, comprising:
 providing a repair device having a deployment mechanism for independently applying first and second fastener elements to first and second regions of a mitral valve annulus;   grasping the first region of tissue with a vacuum force from the repair device;   deploying the first fastener element into the first region of tissue;   disengaging the first region of tissue from the repair device while leaving the first fastener element deployed therein;   grasping the second region of tissue with a vacuum force from the repair device;   deploying the second fastener element into the stabilized second region of tissue;   disengaging the second region of tissue from the repair device while leaving the second fastener element deployed therein; and   pulling the first and second fastener elements together for reducing the distance between the first and second regions of tissue.   
     
     
         2 . A method of treating a defective native mitral valve, comprising:
 providing a tether having first and second ends;   attaching the first end of the tether to a first region of the mitral valve annulus within the left atrium;   attaching the second end of the tether to a second region of the mitral valve annuls within the left atrium, the first and second regions of the mitral valve annulus being opposed to each other; and   applying tension to the tether to pull the first and second regions of the mitral valve annulus into closer proximity for improving the function of the defective native mitral valve.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein a therapy catheter is used to attach the first and second ends of the tether to the first and second regions of the mitral valve annulus. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the therapy catheter is advanced into the left atrium using a percutaneous approach. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the therapy catheter is configured to grasp the first and second regions of the mitral valve annulus. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second regions of the mitral valve annulus are grasped independently by the therapy catheter. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein a first needle is advanced from the therapy catheter and through the tissue for advancing the first end of the tether through the first region of the mitral valve annulus. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein a second needle is advanced from the therapy catheter for advancing the second end of the tether through the second region of the mitral valve annulus. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the therapy catheter includes a least one vacuum port for grasping the first and second regions of the mitral valve annulus while the first and second needles are advanced from the therapy catheter. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the therapy catheter applies fastener elements to the first and second regions of the mitral valve annulus and wherein the first and second ends of the tether are attached to the fastener elements. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the tether extends across a central region of the mitral valve after attachment to the first and second regions of the mitral valve annulus. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the tether extends across a P3 scallop of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve after attachment to the first and second regions of the mitral valve annulus. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the treatment method is repeated such that multiple tethers are applied across different regions of the mitral valve.