Devices and methods for heart valve treatment

Abstract

Devices and methods for treating heart valves include members that assist the valve in closing during at least a portion of the cardiac cycle. Such devices include members configured to alter the shape of a valve annulus, reposition at least one papillary muscle, and/or plug an orifice of the valve so as to provide a coaptation surface for the valve leaflets.

1 - 124 . (canceled) 
     
     
         125 . A device for treating heart disease comprising a prosthetic comprising:
 a wedge having a length that is about equal to a length of a line of coaptation of a mitral valve and a depth sufficient to prevent prolapse of a mitral valve when the wedge is placed atop an annulus of the mitral valve along the line of coaptation; and   one or more anchors protruding from the wedge for coupling the wedge to the annulus of the mitral valve.   
     
     
         126 . An apparatus for treating a heart valve, the apparatus comprising:
 an elongate member extending transverse a heart chamber associated with the valve;   a first anchor pad securing the elongate member to the heart chamber, wherein the first anchor pad is in contact with a first portion of a heart wall;   a second anchor pad securing the elongate member to the heart chamber, wherein the second anchor pad is in contact with a second portion of the heart wall different from the first portion; and   a third anchor pad securing the elongate member to the heart chamber, wherein the third anchor pad includes an extension configured to receive a portion of the elongate member, and wherein the third anchor pad is in contact with a third portion of the heart wall different from the first and second portions.   
     
     
         127 . The apparatus of  claim 126 , wherein one of the first, second, and third anchor pads is disposed on an external surface of a wall of the heart chamber. 
     
     
         128 . The apparatus of  claim 126 , wherein one of the first, second, and third anchor pads is disposed on a portion of a wall of the heart chamber that is in substantially the same plane as the valve. 
     
     
         129 . The apparatus of  claim 126 , wherein the valve is an atrioventricular valve. 
     
     
         130 . The apparatus of  claim 126 , wherein the valve is a mitral valve. 
     
     
         131 . The apparatus of  claim 126 , wherein the elongate member is positioned slightly above the valve. 
     
     
         132 . The apparatus of  claim 126 , wherein the elongate member is positioned slightly below the valve. 
     
     
         133 . The apparatus of  claim 126 , wherein the second portion of the heart wall is substantially opposite the first portion of the heart wall. 
     
     
         134 . The apparatus of  claim 126 , wherein the elongate member extends substantially along a line of leaflet coaptation of the valve. 
     
     
         135 . The apparatus of  claim 126 , wherein the third anchor pad is mechanically coupled to the second anchor pad. 
     
     
         136 . The apparatus of  claim 126 , wherein the chamber is an atrium. 
     
     
         137 . The apparatus of  claim 126 , wherein the chamber is a ventricle. 
     
     
         138 . The apparatus of  claim 126 , wherein the heart wall is an outer wall of the heart. 
     
     
         139 . A method for improving the function of a heart valve having a plurality of leaflets, the method comprising:
 providing a plurality of anchor pads for engaging external surface portions of a heart wall;   providing an elongate member having a first end and a second end;   advancing the elongate member through a first heart wall and a second heart wall substantially opposite the first wall such that the elongate member extends substantially transverse a heart chamber;   securing the first end of the elongate member to a portion of the first wall;   securing the second end of the elongate member to a portion of the second wall; and   adjusting a length of the elongate member to promote coaptation of the leaflets.   
     
     
         140 . The method of  claim 139 , wherein the chamber is an atrium. 
     
     
         141 . The method of  claim 139 , wherein the chamber is a ventricle. 
     
     
         142 . The method of  claim 139 , wherein the heart valve is an atrioventricular valve. 
     
     
         143 . The method of  claim 139 , wherein the heart valve is a mitral valve. 
     
     
         144 . The method of  claim 139 , wherein the plurality of anchor pads includes three anchor pads. 
     
     
         145 . The method of  claim 144 , wherein one of the three anchor pads is disposed on a portion of the first or second heart wall that is in substantially the same plane as the valve. 
     
     
         146 . The method of  claim 139 , wherein the step of advancing the elongate member includes positioning the elongate member slightly above the valve. 
     
     
         147 . The method of  claim 139 , wherein the step of advancing the elongate member includes positioning the elongate member slightly below the valve.