Prosthetic insert for treating a mitral valve

Abstract

A method of using a device to improve the function of a heart valve is disclosed. In one preferred embodiment, the method includes positioning a prosthetic insert member between leaflets of mitral valve. The insert member has an elongated cross-sectional profile for conforming to gap between leaflets of a mitral valve. The device also includes an anchoring member for attachment to heart tissue for maintaining the insert member in the mitral valve. The insert member is used to plug the gap between the leaflets of the mitral valve and thereby reduce undesirable regurgitation while allowing the leaflets to function in a substantially normal manner. An anchoring member secures the prosthetic insert member to a heart wall. The anchoring member preferably includes a plurality of tissue penetrating hooks or prongs.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating a mitral valve, comprising:
 providing a device comprising an anchoring member and a prosthetic insert member;   collapsing the prosthetic insert member for insertion into the body;   expanding the prosthetic insert member in a mitral valve, the prosthetic insert member having an elongated cross-sectional profile shaped for contacting the leaflets of the mitral valve; and   deploying hooks from the anchoring member for penetrating tissue along an inner wall of the left ventricle;   wherein the anchoring member is coupled to the prosthetic insert member for securing the prosthetic insert member to the heart wall.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hooks are self-expanding. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the hooks expand radially into the tissue and then curve back toward the prosthetic insert member. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the prosthetic insert member comprises a valve member. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the prosthetic insert member further comprises a passageway extending along a longitudinal axis and the valve member is disposed within the passageway. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the prosthetic insert member comprises an outer layer defining an outer surface, the outer layer comprising a biological material to inhibit abrasion of the leaflets of the mitral valve when the leaflets contact the outer surface of the prosthetic insert member. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the outer layer is formed of pericardial tissue. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the prosthetic insert member is self-expandable. 
     
     
         9 . A method of treating a mitral valve, comprising:
 providing a device comprising an anchoring member and a prosthetic insert member, the prosthetic insert member having a passageway extending along a longitudinal axis and a valve member disposed within the passageway;   positioning the device along a distal end portion of a catheter;   collapsing the anchoring member and prosthetic insert member for insertion into a heart via a catheter;   advancing the device until the prosthetic insert member is positioned within a mitral valve;   expanding the prosthetic insert member in the mitral valve, the prosthetic insert member having an elongated cross-sectional profile in an expanded condition; and   deploying self-expanding prongs from the anchoring member for penetrating tissue along an inner wall of the left ventricle;   wherein the anchoring member is coupled to the prosthetic insert member for securing the prosthetic insert member to the heart wall.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein deploying the self-expanding prongs comprises allowing the prongs to expand radially into the tissue and then curve backward. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the prosthetic insert member comprises an outer layer defining an outer surface, the outer layer comprising a biological material to inhibit abrasion of the leaflets of the mitral valve when the leaflets contact the outer surface of the prosthetic insert member. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the outer layer is formed of pericardial tissue.