Tricuspid valve repair using tension

Abstract

A system is provided for repairing a cardiac valve of a patient. The system includes a tissue-engaging stent, which is configured to be implanted in a portion of a blood vessel that is in contact with an atrium of a heart of the patient; and a tissue-engaging element, which is configured for implantation at least in part in cardiac tissue at a cardiac implantation site. The system further includes a flexible longitudinal member, which has (a) a first portion that is coupled to the tissue-engaging element, and (b) a second portion that comprises one or more engaging elements, which are configured to be coupled to a strut of the tissue-engaging stent following the implantation of the tissue-engaging element, thereby maintaining tension between the tissue-engaging element and the tissue-engaging stent.

1 .- 88 . (canceled) 
     
     
         89 . A system for repairing a cardiac valve of a patient, the system comprising:
 a tissue-engaging stent, which is configured to be implanted in a portion of a blood vessel that is in contact with an atrium of a heart of the patient;   a tissue-engaging element, which is configured for implantation at least in part in cardiac tissue at a cardiac implantation site; and   a flexible longitudinal member, which has (a) a first portion that is coupled to the tissue-engaging element, and (b) a second portion that comprises one or more engaging elements, which are configured to be coupled to a strut of the tissue-engaging stent following the implantation of the tissue-engaging element, thereby maintaining tension between the tissue-engaging element and the tissue-engaging stent.   
     
     
         90 . The system according to  claim 89 , wherein the one or more engaging elements comprise one or more hooks. 
     
     
         91 . The system according to  claim 89 , wherein the flexible longitudinal member comprises an element selected from the group consisting of: a braided polyester suture, and a plurality of wires that are intertwined to form a rope structure. 
     
     
         92 . A method for repairing a cardiac valve of a patient, the method comprising:
 implanting a tissue-engaging stent in a portion of a blood vessel that is in contact with an atrium of a heart of the patient;   implanting a tissue-engaging element at least in part in cardiac tissue at a cardiac implantation site;   pulling, toward the tissue-engaging stent, a flexible longitudinal member, which has a first portion that is coupled to the tissue-engaging element; and   thereafter, coupling, to a strut of the tissue-engaging stent, one or more engaging elements of a second portion of the flexible longitudinal member, thereby maintaining tension between the tissue-engaging element and the tissue-engaging stent.   
     
     
         93 . The method according to  claim 92 , wherein coupling comprises disposing a portion of a catheter within the tissue-engaging stent, and using the catheter to couple the one or more engaging elements to the strut of the tissue-engaging stent. 
     
     
         94 . The method according to  claim 92 , wherein the one or more engaging elements comprise one or more hooks. 
     
     
         95 . The method according to  claim 92 , wherein the blood vessel is selected from the group consisting of: a superior vena cava and an inferior vena cava. 
     
     
         96 . The method according to  claim 92 , wherein the cardiac implantation site is selected from the group consisting of: an annulus of the cardiac valve, and a wall of the atrium above the annulus. 
     
     
         97 . The method according to  claim 92 , wherein the flexible longitudinal member comprises an element selected from the group consisting of: a braided polyester suture, and a plurality of wires that are intertwined to form a rope structure.