Tissue anchor and anchoring system

Abstract

An annuloplasty implant comprising an elongate member configured to be anchored to tissue of a heart, and to move between an elongate configuration and a shortened configuration and a tensioning member. The tensioning member can define a first segment and a second segment such that the first segment extends between a first tensioning-member end and a turn of the tensioning member, and the second segment extends between the turn and the second tensioning-member end. The tensioning member extends along the elongate member such that the elongate member can slide relative to the tensioning member and such that applying tension to the tensioning member causes the elongate member to move from the elongate configuration to the shortened configuration, which can cause the implant to reshape an annulus of a heart valve.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An annuloplasty implant comprising:
 an elongate member configured to be anchored to tissue of a heart, and to move between an elongate configuration and a shortened configuration, the elongate member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a compressible intermediate portion between the first end portion and the second end portion; and   a tensioning member:
 having a first tensioning-member end and a second tensioning-member end, 
 defining a first segment and a second segment such that (i) the first segment extends between the first tensioning-member end and a turn of the tensioning member, (ii) the second segment extends between the turn and the second tensioning-member end, and 
 extending along the elongate member between the first end portion and the second end portion, such that the elongate member can slide relative to the tensioning member, and such that applying tension to the tensioning member causes the elongate member to move from the elongate configuration to the shortened configuration by the tensioning member pulling both the first end portion and the second end portion toward the intermediate portion and compressing the intermediate portion, which can cause the implant to reshape an annulus of a heart valve. 
   
     
     
         2 . The implant according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongate member is formed from a material selected from at least one of: natural fibers, synthetic fibers, polymers, and metals. 
     
     
         3 . The implant according to  claim 1 , wherein the tensioning member further comprises a suture. 
     
     
         4 . The implant according to  claim 1 , wherein the tensioning member includes a stop member engageable with the elongate member. 
     
     
         5 . The implant according to  claim 4 , wherein the stop member further comprises a knot in the tensioning member. 
     
     
         6 . The implant according to  claim 1 , wherein the tensioning member extends through the elongate member at multiple locations between the first end portion and the second end portion. 
     
     
         7 . The implant according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongate member and the tensioning member are configured such that the elongate member forms at least one fold upon pulling the first tensioning-member end. 
     
     
         8 . The implant according to  claim 1 , further comprising a lock member engageable with the tensioning member to retain the elongate member in the shortened configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The implant according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one radiopaque marker on at least one of the elongate member and the tensioning member. 
     
     
         10 . The implant according to  claim 1 , further comprising a first radiopaque marker located proximate the first end portion of the elongate member is in the shortened configuration and a second radiopaque marker located proximate the second end portion when the elongate member is in the shortened configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The implant according to  claim 1 , wherein the implant comprises a tip at the second end portion, the tip being narrower and more rigid than the elongate member. 
     
     
         12 . The implant according to  claim 11 , wherein the tip acts as a compressive force applying member against the second end portion of the elongate member when the elongate member is in the shortened configuration. 
     
     
         13 . The implant according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongate member varies in width along its length when in the elongate configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The implant according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongate member includes an edge portion that is more rigid than a central area of the elongate member. 
     
     
         15 . The implant according to  claim 1 , wherein at least the first tensioning-member end is disposed at the first end portion of the elongate member. 
     
     
         16 . A system including the implant according to  claim 1  and a catheter device, wherein the implant is configured to be transluminally delivered to the heart valve through the catheter device, with the second end portion distal to the first end portion, such that deployment of the implant from the catheter device exposes the second end portion prior to the first end portion. 
     
     
         17 . The implant according to  claim 1 , further comprising a catheter device configured to facilitate securing of the second end portion to the tissue, and to facilitate securing of the first end portion to the tissue subsequently to the securing of the second end portion to the tissue. 
     
     
         18 . A system, comprising:
 an annuloplasty implant that comprises:
 an elongate member configured to be anchored to the tissue, and to move between an elongate configuration and a shortened configuration, the elongate member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a compressible intermediate portion between the first end portion and the second end portion; and 
 a tensioning member having a first tensioning-member end and a second tensioning-member end, defining a first segment and a second segment such that (i) the first segment extends between the first tensioning-member end and a turn of the tensioning member, and (ii) the second segment extends between the turn and the second tensioning-member end, wherein the tensioning member extends along the elongate member between the first end portion and the second end portion and is arranged such that the elongate member can slide relative to the tensioning member; and 
   a catheter device configured to facilitate securing of the second end portion to the tissue, and to facilitate securing of the first end portion to the tissue subsequently to the securing of the second end portion to the tissue;   wherein the tensioning member is coupled to the elongate member is such that applying tension to the tensioning member causes the elongate member to move from the elongate configuration to the shortened configuration by the tensioning member (i) pulling both the first end portion and the second end portion toward the intermediate portion, and (ii) compressing the intermediate portion, which can cause the implant to reshape an annulus of a heart valve.