Anchor-Delivery Sheath Tip

Abstract

Apparatus is provided for use with a guidewire, the apparatus including a tissue anchor, and a tool for facilitating implanting of the tissue anchor. The tool includes a sheath, and an atraumatic tip, which is removably engaged to a distal end of the sheath, and which is shaped so as to define a body that defines a recess for housing the tissue anchor during guiding of the tool through vasculature of a patient.

1 - 96 . (canceled) 
     
     
         97 . Apparatus for use with a guidewire, the apparatus comprising:
 a tissue anchor; and   a tool for facilitating implanting of the tissue anchor, the tool comprising:
 a sheath; and 
 an atraumatic tip, which is removably engaged to a distal end of the sheath, and which is shaped so as to define a body that defines a recess for housing the tissue anchor during guiding of the tool through vasculature of a patient. 
   
     
     
         98 . The apparatus according to  claim 97 , wherein the atraumatic tip and the body are rotationally asymmetrical. 
     
     
         99 . The apparatus according to  claim 98 , wherein the recess is radially off-center in the rotationally asymmetrical atraumatic tip. 
     
     
         100 . The apparatus according to  claim 98 , wherein the rotationally asymmetrical atraumatic tip is shaped so as to define a lumen, through which the guidewire passes. 
     
     
         101 . The apparatus according to  claim 100 , wherein the lumen is radially off-center in the rotationally asymmetrical atraumatic tip. 
     
     
         102 . The apparatus according to  claim 100 , wherein the tool further comprises a guidewire tube, which passes through the sheath and the lumen of the atraumatic tip, and is configured to hold the guidewire. 
     
     
         103 . The apparatus according to  claim 102 , wherein the rotationally asymmetrical atraumatic tip, the sheath, and the guidewire tube are arranged such that distal advancement of the guidewire tube disengages the rotationally asymmetrical atraumatic tip from the distal end of the sheath. 
     
     
         104 . The apparatus according to  claim 103 ,
 wherein the tool further comprises a torque-delivering cable, which is disposed within the sheath, and which is removably coupled to a proximal end of the tissue anchor, and   wherein the rotationally asymmetrical atraumatic tip, the torque-delivering cable, and the tissue anchor are arranged such that proximal withdrawal of the torque-delivering cable retracts the tissue anchor from the recess of the rotationally asymmetrical atraumatic tip.   
     
     
         105 . The apparatus according to  claim 97 ,
 wherein the tool further comprises a torque-delivering cable, which is disposed within the sheath, and which is removably coupled to a proximal end of the tissue anchor, and   wherein the atraumatic tip, the torque-delivering cable, and the tissue anchor are arranged such that proximal withdrawal of the torque-delivering cable retracts the tissue anchor from the recess of the atraumatic tip.   
     
     
         106 . The apparatus according to  claim 97 , wherein the tissue anchor is helical. 
     
     
         107 . A method comprising:
 advancing a guidewire through vasculature of a patient;   guiding, along the guidewire to an implantation site, a tool for facilitating implanting of a tissue anchor, the tool including a sheath and an atraumatic tip, which is removably engaged to a distal end of the sheath, and which is shaped so as to define a body that defines a recess for housing the tissue anchor during the guiding of the tool through vasculature of a patient;   releasing the tissue anchor from the recess of the atraumatic tip; and   implanting the tissue anchor in tissue of the patient.   
     
     
         108 . The method according to  claim 107 , wherein the atraumatic tip and the body are rotationally asymmetrical. 
     
     
         109 . The method according to  claim 108 , wherein the recess is radially off-center in the rotationally asymmetrical atraumatic tip. 
     
     
         110 . The method according to  claim 108 , wherein the rotationally asymmetrical atraumatic tip is shaped so as to define a lumen, through which the guidewire passes. 
     
     
         111 . The method according to  claim 110 , wherein the lumen is radially off-center in the rotationally asymmetrical atraumatic tip. 
     
     
         112 . The method according to  claim 110 , wherein the tool further includes a guidewire tube, which passes through the sheath and the lumen of the atraumatic tip, and is configured to hold the guidewire. 
     
     
         113 . The method according to  claim 112 , wherein releasing the tissue anchor from the recess of the rotationally asymmetrical atraumatic tip comprises disengaging the rotationally asymmetrical atraumatic tip from the distal end of the sheath by pushing on the guidewire tube. 
     
     
         114 . The method according to  claim 113 ,
 wherein the tool further includes a torque-delivering cable, which is disposed within the sheath, and which is removably coupled to a proximal end of the tissue anchor,   wherein implanting the tissue anchor comprises rotating the torque-delivery cable, and   wherein releasing the tissue anchor from the recess of the rotationally asymmetrical atraumatic tip comprises retracting the tissue anchor from the recess of the rotationally asymmetrical atraumatic tip by pulling proximally on the torque-delivering cable.   
     
     
         115 . The method according to  claim 107 ,
 wherein the tool further comprises a torque-delivering cable, which is disposed within the sheath, and which is removably coupled to a proximal end of the tissue anchor,   wherein implanting the tissue anchor comprises rotating the torque-delivery cable, and   wherein releasing the tissue anchor from the recess of the atraumatic tip comprises retracting the tissue anchor from the recess of the atraumatic tip by pulling proximally on the torque-delivering cable.   
     
     
         116 . The method according to  claim 107 , wherein the tissue anchor is helical.