Anchor deployment devices and related methods

Abstract

Described here are devices, methods, and kits for the deployment of tissue anchors. In some variations, the devices may comprise a shaft defining a lumen for housing at least one anchor therein and a mechanism for deploying the anchor distally from the lumen. In certain variations, the devices may comprise one or more stop elements. For example, a device may comprise a stop element that limits the advancement of the device through an opening in a wall portion or at the distal end of another device.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A catheter comprising:
 a tubular elongated member defining a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a lumen therethrough;   wherein the tubular elongated member comprises a first region defining a first plane, a second region defining a second plane, and a curve between the first and second regions; wherein the first and second planes have an angle of about 10 degrees to about 90 degrees therebetween.   
     
     
         12 . The catheter of  claim 11 , further comprising an anchor disposed within the lumen of the tubular elongated member. 
     
     
         13 . The catheter of  claim 12 , further comprising a coupling member coupled to the anchor. 
     
     
         14 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The catheter of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second planes have an angle of about 20 degrees to about 80 degrees therebetween. 
     
     
         22 . The catheter of  claim 21 , wherein the first and second planes have an angle of about 50 degrees to about 70 degrees therebetween. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A method for deploying an anchor into tissue of a subject comprising:
 positioning a guide tunnel within a subvalvular space of a heart of the subject the guide tunnel comprising an outer catheter, and an inner catheter located within a lumen of the outer catheter;   positioning a primary anchor deployment catheter within the lumen of the inner catheter, wherein the primary anchor deployment catheter comprises a tubular elongated member comprising a first region defining a first plane, a second region defining a second plane, and a curve between the first and second regions;   advancing the first region through the guide tunnel and into the tissue; and deploying the anchor disposed within a lumen of the primary anchor deployment catheter into the tissue.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the first and second planes have an angle of about 10 degrees to about 90 degrees therebetween. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the first and second planes have an angle of about 20 degrees to about 80 degrees therebetween. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the first and second planes have an angle of about 50 degrees to about 70 degrees therebetween. 
     
     
         28 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . An anchor deployment device comprising:
 a catheter comprising an elongated member comprising a first region defining a first plane, a second region defining a second plane, and a curve between the first and second regions, wherein the first and second planes have an angle of about 10 degrees to about 90 degrees therebetween, and the catheter defining a lumen for housing an anchor therein;   at least one preformed curve at a distal end of the anchor deployment device.   
     
     
         32 . The anchor deployment device of  claim 31 , further comprising an anchor disposed within the lumen of the catheter. 
     
     
         33 . The anchor deployment device of  claim 31 , wherein the at least one preformed curve comprises a first curved region and a second curved region distal to the first curved region. 
     
     
         34 . The anchor deployment device of  claim 32 , wherein the first curved region forms an arc having a central angle from about 15 degrees to about 270 degrees. 
     
     
         35 . The anchor deployment device of  claim 34 , wherein the first curved region forms an arc having a central angle from about 45 degrees to about 180 degrees. 
     
     
         36 . The anchor deployment device of  claim 34 , wherein the first curved region forms an arc having a central angle from about 50 degrees to about 120 degrees. 
     
     
         37 - 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . The anchor deployment device of  claim 31 , wherein the first and second planes have an angle of about 20 degrees to about 80 degrees therebetween. 
     
     
         42 . The anchor deployment device of  claim 41 , wherein the first and second planes have an angle of about 50 degrees to about 70 degrees therebetween. 
     
     
         43 . The anchor deployment device of  claim 42 , wherein the first and second planes have an angle of about 60 degrees therebetween. 
     
     
         44 . The anchor deployment device of  claim 41 , wherein the first and second planes have an angle of about 40 degrees to about 60 degrees therebetween. 
     
     
         45 . The anchor deployment device of  claim 44 , wherein the first and second planes have an angle of about 50 degrees therebetween.