Medical Device for Constricting Tissue or a Bodily Orifice, for example a mitral valve

Abstract

A medical apparatus positionable in a cavity of a bodily organ (e.g., a heart) may constrict a bodily orifice (e.g., a mitral valve). The medical apparatus may include tissue anchors that are implanted in the annulus of the orifice. The tissue anchors may be guided into position by an intravascularly or percutaneously deployed anchor guiding frame. Constriction of the orifice may be accomplished by cinching a flexible cable attached to implanted tissue anchors. The medical device may be used to approximate the septal and lateral (clinically referred to as anterior and posterior) annulus of the mitral valve in order to move the posterior leaflet anteriorly and the anterior leaflet posteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation and eliminate mitral regurgitation.

1 . A method for constricting a bodily orifice or cavity, the method comprising:
 Delivering a plurality of anchors to the bodily orifice or cavity intravascularly;   Implanting the plurality of anchors;   Connecting the plurality of anchors by at least one joining member;   Contracting at least one joining member.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the bodily orifice is a mitral valve 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the at least one joining member is a flexible cable 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the anchors comprise a helical portion 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the anchors comprise multiple barbs 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of anchors are guided to implant sites by means of at least one guide rail 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the plurality of anchors are released proximate to a change in curvature of the guide rail. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein at least two guide rails are distally connected. 
   
   
       9 . A medical system for constricting an orifice comprising a device positionable in at least a portion of a bodily organ;
 a plurality of guide rails;   a plurality of anchors releasably guided by said guide rails;   at least one structure used to locate said guide rails;   means of connecting said anchors;   means of shortening or bending said connecting means.   
   
   
       10 . The medical device of  claim 9  wherein the medical system is deployed intravascularly 
   
   
       11 . The medical device of  claim 9  wherein the portion of a bodily organ is a left atrium of a heart 
   
   
       12 . The medical device of  claim 9  wherein the plurality of anchors are released proximate to a change in curvature of said guide rails 
   
   
       13 . The medical device of  claim 9  wherein the plurality of anchors are held captive within a cap prior to deployment 
   
   
       14 . The medical device of  claim 9  wherein the plurality of anchors are not released from said guide rails until implanted 
   
   
       15 . The medical device of  claim 9  wherein the connecting means is shortened by application of a external magnetic field 
   
   
       16 . The medical device of  claim 9  wherein said structure is foldable into a catheter 
   
   
       17 . A medical system for attaching a flexible member to tissue comprising
 A flexible member attached to tissue by a plurality of anchors;   Said plurality of anchors guided by a plurality of rails;   Said anchors releasable proximate to a change in curvature of said rails;   A foldable frame configured to position said rails.   
   
   
       18 . The medical system of  claim 17  wherein said medical system is deliverable through a catheter 
   
   
       19 . The medical system of  claim 17  wherein said flexible member is adjusted after deployment 
   
   
       20 . The medical system of  claim 17  wherein said frame comprises features for conforming to anatomical structures