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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . 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.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , 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.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein allowing tissue ingrowth occurs prior to securing the distal portion of the generally flexible elongate member to the anchor. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first location is in a distal portion of the coronary sinus. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , 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. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , 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. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first location is in a first chamber of the heart, and the second location is in a second chamber of the heart. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein securing the anchor to heart tissue at the first location comprises introducing the anchor into the heart via a minimally-invasive approach. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein securing the anchor to heart tissue at the first location comprises introducing the anchor into the heart via a percutaneous approach. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , 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.   
     
     
         11 . 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.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , 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.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , 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.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , 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.