Devices and methods for minimally invasive repair of heart valves

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for heart valve repair utilize a heart valve repair device including a generally annular ring-like structure and a net structure. The ring-like structure is seated in the valve annulus with the net structure extending from the ring-like structure through the coaptation zone between leaflets. The net structure can then be anchored to a heart structure with a suture. Net structure extending between leaflets helps prevent prolapse of leaflets and can aid in coaptation.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method of repairing a heart valve in a beating heart of a patient, comprising:
 minimally invasively accessing an interior of the heart with a suture deployment mechanism, the suture deployment mechanism carrying a suture and a needle;   grasping a valve leaflet in the heart with the suture deployment mechanism;   inserting the suture through the valve leaflet with the needle by operation of the suture deployment mechanism;   withdrawing the suture deployment mechanism and a portion of the suture from the heart after inserting the suture through the valve leaflet such that the suture extends from the valve leaflet out of the heart;   advancing a repair device into the heart along the suture with the suture functioning as a guidewire for the repair device; and   inserting the portion of the suture into the heart and anchoring the suture to a wall of the heart.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the repair device is a mechanical anchor. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein anchoring the suture to a wall of the heart includes anchoring the suture with the mechanical anchor. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein minimally invasively accessing the interior of the heart with the catheter includes percutaneously accessing the interior of the heart with the catheter. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein withdrawing the suture deployment mechanism and a portion of the suture from the heart after inserting the suture through the valve leaflet such that the suture extends from the valve leaflet out of the heart includes withdrawing ends of the suture from the heart. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claims 20 , wherein withdrawing the suture deployment mechanism and a portion of the suture from the heart after inserting the suture through the valve leaflet such that the suture extends from the valve leaflet out of the heart includes withdrawing a suture loop from the heart. 
     
     
         26 . A method of delivering a repair device into a beating heart of a patient, comprising:
 minimally invasively accessing an interior of the heart with a suture deployment mechanism, the suture deployment mechanism carrying a suture and a needle;   grasping a valve leaflet in the heart with the suture deployment mechanism;   inserting the suture through the valve leaflet with the needle by operation of the suture deployment mechanism;   withdrawing the suture deployment mechanism and a portion of the suture from the heart after inserting the suture through the valve leaflet such that the suture extends from the valve leaflet out of the heart;   advancing a repair device into the heart along the suture with the suture functioning as a guidewire for the repair device.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the repair device is a mechanical anchor. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising anchoring the suture to a wall of the heart with the mechanical anchor. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein minimally invasively accessing the interior of the heart with the catheter includes percutaneously accessing the interior of the heart with the catheter. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein withdrawing the suture deployment mechanism and a portion of the suture from the heart after inserting the suture through the valve leaflet such that the suture extends from the valve leaflet out of the heart includes withdrawing ends of the suture from the heart. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claims 26 , wherein withdrawing the suture deployment mechanism and a portion of the suture from the heart after inserting the suture through the valve leaflet such that the suture extends from the valve leaflet out of the heart includes withdrawing a suture loop from the heart.