Apparatus and method to reshape geometry of diseased heart valve

Abstract

Devices and methods are disclosed for treating mitral valve regurgitation that include members that assist the valve in closing during the cardiac cycle. Such devices may include members configured to alter the shape of mitral valve annulus. In certain embodiments, one or more wires may be anchored on one extremity to an element positioned along the posterior part of the mitral annulus, in the coronary sinus, and on another extremity to an element along the anterior part of the mitral annulus, fibrous trigon. The reshaping of the mitral annulus may be accomplished by pulling the wire or wires. Reducing the length of the wire or wires may provide the displacement of the posterior leaflets towards the anterior, thereby increasing the coaptation surface for the valve leaflets and reducing the regurgitation.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An annuloplasty device, comprising:
 a first holding element configured to be located in a coronary sinus of a heart;   a second holding element configured to be located in a fibrous trigon of the heart; and   one or more connecting elements for connecting the first holding element and the second holding element, the one or more connecting elements configured to pull the first holding element toward the second holding element to reduce the distance between an anterior portion of the mitral annulus of the heart and a posterior portion of the mitral annulus, thereby increasing mitral valve leaflets coaptation.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more connecting elements are configured to cross the valve area on the atrial side. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second holding elements and the one or more connecting elements are configured to be deployed into the heart using endovascular techniques. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more connecting elements is configured to change its profile during a cardiac cycle to prevent mitral leaflets damage due to impingement of one or more mitral valve leaflets on the at least one connecting element during ventricular systole. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more connecting elements is configured to change its profile during a cardiac cycle not to block blood flow from atrium to ventricle. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the one or more connecting elements are configured to be joined in situ to form a single connecting element.