Methods for Treating a Heart Valve, in Particular a Mitral Valve

Abstract

An apparatus for treating a heart valve apparatus includes at least two anchoring elements designed to be anchored at the annulus and/or heart wall of the valve to be treated. Each anchoring element has a support surface. At least one linking element includes a central branch and two curved side branches, one of which is designed to be engaged on the support surface of an anchoring element, while the other is designed to be engaged on the support surface of another anchoring element, the linking element then being designed to be pivoted to a position such that the anchoring elements interconnect and in which the ends of the central branch are located in the vicinity of the support surfaces.

1 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A method of stabilizing a mitral valve annulus, comprising:
 introducing a delivery catheter percutaneously into a body lumen;   advancing the delivery catheter through the body lumen to the mitral valve annulus via the aorta;   delivering an annuloplasty implant through the delivery catheter to the mitral valve annulus; and   implanting the annuloplasty implant at the mitral valve annulus, wherein the implantation of the annuloplasty implant contracts the mitral valve annulus.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the method is performed on a beating heart. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the annuloplasty implant comprises a plurality of anchoring elements connected with one or more linking elements. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the anchoring elements comprise a wound metal wire having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises a sharp bevel. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the linking elements have a length substantially equal to a distance between the anchoring elements. 
     
     
         38 . A method for reducing an annular distension of a mitral valve, comprising:
 introducing a delivery catheter percutaneously into a body lumen;   advancing the delivery catheter through the body lumen to the mitral valve annulus;   delivering a plurality of anchoring elements through the delivery catheter to the mitral valve annulus;   implanting the plurality of anchoring elements around the mitral valve annulus; and   connecting the plurality of anchoring elements with one or more linking elements to reduce the annular distension of the mitral valve.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the method is performed on a beating heart. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein advancing the delivery catheter through the body lumen to the mitral valve annulus comprises advancing the delivery catheter through the aorta. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein advancing the delivery catheter through the body lumen to the mitral valve annulus comprises advancing the delivery catheter from a position superior to the mitral valve annulus. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the anchoring elements comprise a wound metal wire having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises a sharp bevel. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the linking elements have a length less than a distance between the anchoring elements. 
     
     
         44 . A method of reinforcing a mitral valve annulus, comprising:
 advancing a first delivery catheter to the mitral valve annulus through a first body lumen;   advancing a second delivery catheter to the mitral valve annulus through a second body lumen;   delivering a plurality of anchoring elements through the first delivery catheter to the mitral valve annulus;   implanting the plurality of anchoring elements around the mitral valve annulus;   delivering one or more linking elements through the second delivery catheter to the mitral valve annulus; and   connecting the plurality of anchoring elements with the one or more linking elements to reinforce the mitral valve annulus.   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the first delivery catheter is advanced through the aorta and wherein the second delivery catheter is advanced from a position superior to the mitral valve annulus. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the first delivery catheter is advanced from a position superior to the mitral valve annulus and wherein the second delivery catheter is advanced through the aorta. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein implanting the plurality of anchoring elements comprises piercing tissue about the mitral valve annulus such that the anchoring elements enter a first side of the mitral valve annulus and exit a second side of the mitral valve annulus. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the method is performed on a beating heart. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the anchoring elements comprise a wound metal wire having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises a sharp bevel. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the linking elements have a length substantially equal to a distance between the anchoring elements. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the linking elements have a length less than a distance between the anchoring elements.