Systems and methods for reshaping a heart valve

Abstract

The present disclosure includes a device for reshaping a heart valve. The device may include a central ring about a central axis and a plurality of arms coupled to the central ring, each of the arms coupled to the central ring at a pivot point at a first end of the arm, the arm comprising an attachment feature at a second point along the arm, the pivot point configured to allow movement of the arm about the pivot point through a plane extending radially from the central axis through the arm. Additionally, the plurality of arms may be contractable and may be extendable such that the hooks extend beyond a dilated heart valve. The present disclosure also includes associated methods and systems.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for reshaping cardiac tissue, said device comprising:
 an expandable device;   a plurality of tissue-engaging features configured to engage cardiac tissue; and   an engaging member movable with respect to said expandable device;   wherein:   said expandable device is movable to reshape cardiac tissue; and   said engaging member is configured to hold the cardiac tissue in the reshaped configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said engaging member is movable with respect to said expandable device to retain a reshaped configuration of the cardiac tissue. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said engaging member is slidable with respect to said expandable device to a position holding the cardiac tissue in the reshaped configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said expandable device is movable to contract annular cardiac tissue. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said expandable device comprises a plurality of struts. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein first ends of said struts are coupled together circumferentially. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein first ends of said struts are circumferentially coupled to an annular element. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said struts are arms extending generally parallel to one another. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein tissue-engaging features are positioned on said struts. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said tissue-engaging features comprise barbs or hooks. 
     
     
         11 . A device for reshaping heart tissue, said device comprising:
 an implantable member; and   a securing member axially movable with respect to said implantable member to retain a configuration of the cardiac tissue adjusted by said implantable member.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein said implantable member comprises tissue-engaging features configured to engage the cardiac tissue, and is movable with respect to the cardiac tissue to adjust the configuration of the cardiac tissue. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein said securing member is slidable with respect to said implantable device 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein said implantable member includes a plurality of tissue-engaging features. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein said implantable member comprises a plurality of struts, said struts comprising said tissue-engaging features. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein said plurality of struts are arranged to adjust the configuration of annular cardiac tissue. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein said securing member is coupled with said implantable member. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein said securing member holds said implantable member with respect to cardiac tissue to maintain a contracted configuration of the cardiac tissue. 
     
     
         19 . A system for reshaping cardiac tissue, said system comprising:
 an implantable device comprising an expandable device having one or more tissue-engaging elements and configured to engage and reshape the cardiac tissue; and   a delivery system including a delivery shaft capable of axial and rotational control of said expandable device.   
     
     
         20 . A system as in  claim 19 , wherein said delivery shaft is threadedly coupled with a portion of said implantable device.