Method and apparatus for repairing a mitral valve

Abstract

A method for repairing a mitral valve, the method comprising: positioning a crossing guidewire across the mitral valve, the crossing guidewire passing through the annulus of the mitral valve at a first location and passing through the annulus of the mitral valve at a second location; using the crossing guidewire to position a spanning implant across the mitral valve, with the spanning implant extending from the first location to the second location; anchoring the spanning implant at the first location; tensioning the spanning implant so as to draw the first location and the second location together; and anchoring the spanning implant at the second location.

1 . A method for repairing a mitral valve, the method comprising:
 positioning a crossing guidewire across the mitral valve, the crossing guidewire passing through the annulus of the mitral valve at a first location and passing through the annulus of the mitral valve at a second location;   using the crossing guidewire to position a spanning implant across the mitral valve, with the spanning implant extending from the first location to the second location;   anchoring the spanning implant at the first location;   tensioning the spanning implant so as to draw the first location and the second location together; and   anchoring the spanning implant at the second location.   
     
     
         2 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . Apparatus for repairing a mitral valve, the apparatus comprising:
 a suture having a first end and a second end, a first anchor secured to the first end of the suture, a second anchor slidably mounted to the second end of the suture, and a coaxial suture lock for locking the second anchor to the suture.   
     
     
         22 . Apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein the second end of the suture is configured to be secured to a guidewire. 
     
     
         23 . Apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein the first anchor comprises a T-bar anchor. 
     
     
         24 . Apparatus according to  claim 23  further comprising a control line releasably secured to the T-bar anchor. 
     
     
         25 . Apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein the second anchor comprise a T-bar anchor. 
     
     
         26 . Apparatus according to  claim 21  wherein the coaxial suture lock is configured to bind to the suture upon the application of a compressive radial force to the coaxial suture lock. 
     
     
         27 . Apparatus for repairing a mitral valve, the apparatus comprising:
 a crossing guidewire extending from the left ventricle, through the annulus at a first location, into the left atrium, through the annulus at a second location, and into the left ventricle.   
     
     
         28 . Apparatus for repairing a mitral valve, the apparatus comprising:
 a positioning sheath having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, the positioning sheath being configured to extend across the left ventricle and contact the annulus of the mitral valve at a first location, with the distal end of the positioning sheath set so that the lumen of the positioning sheath is aimed into the left atrium; and   a curved tube having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, the curved tube being configured to telescopically extend through the positioning sheath, across the annulus at the first location and present its distal end substantially parallel to the plane of the mitral valve annulus.   
     
     
         29 . Apparatus according to  claim 28  further comprising a guidewire sized to be telescopically disposed within the curved tube. 
     
     
         30 . Apparatus according to  claim 29  further comprising a snare for capturing the guidewire when the guidewire is telescopically advanced out of the distal end of the curved tube. 
     
     
         31 . Apparatus according to  claim 28  further comprising:
 a second positioning sheath having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, the second positioning sheath being configured to extend across the left ventricle and contact the annulus of the mitral valve at a second location, with the distal end of the second positioning sheath set so that the lumen of the second positioning sheath is aimed into the left atrium; 
 a second curved tube having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, the second curved tube being configured to telescopically extend through the second positioning sheath, across the annulus at the second location and present its distal end substantially parallel to the plane of the mitral valve annulus; and 
 a guidewire extendable through the first curved tube and receivable within the second curved tube. 
 
     
     
         32 . Apparatus according to  claim 31  further comprising a suture having a first end and a second end, a first anchor secured to the first end of the suture, a second anchor slidably mounted to the second end of the suture, and a coaxial suture lock for locking the second anchor to the suture, and further wherein the second end of the suture is releasably secured to the guidewire.