Tricuspid valve repair using tension

Abstract

Apparatus is provided including a stent, which is configured to assume compressed and expanded states. The stent includes one or more elongated members, and two or more rings, which are coupled together by the one or more elongated members and by no other elements of the stent. The rings define respective planes that are generally perpendicular to the elongated members when the stent is in its expanded state. A longitudinal member, having a proximal end and a distal end, is coupled to the stent at the proximal end of the longitudinal member. A tissue anchor is coupled to the distal end of the longitudinal member. Other applications are also described.

1 - 59 . (canceled) 
     
     
         60 . Apparatus comprising:
 a stent, which is configured to assume compressed and expanded states, and which comprises:
 one or more elongated members; and 
 two or more rings, which are coupled together by the one or more elongated members and by no other elements of the stent, and which define respective planes that are generally perpendicular to the elongated members when the stent is in its expanded state; 
   a longitudinal member, having a proximal end and a distal end, which proximal end is coupled to the stent; and   a tissue anchor, which is coupled to the distal end of the longitudinal member.   
     
     
         61 . The apparatus according to  claim 60 , wherein the stent comprises exactly two rings. 
     
     
         62 . The apparatus according to  claim 60 , wherein the stent comprises exactly one elongated member. 
     
     
         63 . The apparatus according to  claim 62 , wherein the elongated member comprises two or more wires coupled to one another. 
     
     
         64 . The apparatus according to  claim 60 , wherein one of the elongated members is at least partially a continuation of the longitudinal member. 
     
     
         65 . The apparatus according to  claim 60 , wherein each of the rings has an outer diameter of between 10 and 35 mm, when the stent is in its expanded state. 
     
     
         66 . A method comprising:
 providing a (a) stent, which includes (i) one or more elongated members; and (ii) two or more rings, which are coupled together by the one or more elongated members and by no other elements of the stent, (b) a longitudinal member, having a proximal end and a distal end, which proximal end is coupled to the stent, and (c) a tissue anchor, which is coupled to the distal end of the longitudinal member;   positioning the stent in a blood vessel of a patient while the stent is in a compressed state;   coupling the tissue anchor to tissue in a vicinity of a heart valve of the patient; and   transitioning the stent to an expanded state, such that the rings define respective planes that are generally perpendicular to the elongated members, and anchor the stent to a wall of the blood vessel.   
     
     
         67 . The method according to  claim 66 , wherein providing the stent comprises providing the stent which includes exactly two rings. 
     
     
         68 . The method according to  claim 66 , wherein providing the stent comprises providing the stent which includes exactly one elongated member. 
     
     
         69 . The method according to  claim 66 , wherein providing the stent comprises providing the stent in which one of the elongated members is at least partially a continuation of the longitudinal member. 
     
     
         70 . The method according to  claim 66 , wherein positioning the stent in the blood vessel comprises positioning the stent in a blood vessel selected from the group of blood vessels consisting of: a superior vena cava, and an inferior vena cava. 
     
     
         71 . The method according to  claim 66 , further comprising monitoring a level of regurgitation of the heart valve in conjunction with the positioning of the stent in the blood vessel. 
     
     
         72 - 88 . (canceled) 
     
     
         89 . The apparatus according to  claim 60 , wherein the two or more rings are coaxial with respect to each other and each ring has a center positioned along a longitudinal axis of the stent, when the stent is in its expanded state. 
     
     
         90 . The apparatus according to  claim 60 , wherein the two or more rings comprise between 3 and 5 rings. 
     
     
         91 . The apparatus according to  claim 60 , wherein the two or more rings comprise exactly two rings, and wherein a distance between the two rings is between 10 and 40 mm, when the stent is in its expanded state. 
     
     
         92 . The apparatus according to  claim 91 , wherein the one or more elongated members has a length of between 10 and 40 mm, when the stent is in its expanded state. 
     
     
         93 . The method according to  claim 66 , wherein transitioning the stent to the expanded state comprises making indentations in a wall of of the blood vessel by pushing the ring against a wall of the blood vessel. 
     
     
         94 . The method according to  claim 66 , wherein transitioning the stent to the expanded state comprises positioning the two rings at a distance between the two rings between 10 and 40mm. 
     
     
         95 . The method according to  claim 66 , wherein transitioning the stent to the expanded state comprises anchoring the stent to the blood vessel by friction.