US20070213758A1 - Method and apparatus for improving mitral valve function - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation. The apparatus is inserted into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus being adapted to straighten the natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation and reduce mitral regurgitation.

Description

REFERENCE TO PENDING PRIOR PATENT APPLICATIONS
• This patent application is a continuation-in-part of pending prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/446,470, filed May 27, 2003 by Jonathan Rourke et al. for METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING MITRAL VALVE FUNCTION (Attorney's Docket No. VIA-43).
• This patent application also claims benefit of (1) pending prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/489,549, filed Jul. 23, 2003 by Jonathan M. Rourke for METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING MITRAL VALVE FUNCTION (Attorney's Docket No. VIA-44 PROV), and (2) pending prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/562,958, filed Apr. 17, 2004 by Jonathan M. Rourke for METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING MITRAL VALVE FUNCTION (Attorney's Docket No. VIA-46 PROV).
• The three above-identified patent applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• This invention relates to surgical methods and apparatus in general, and more particularly to surgical methods and apparatus for improving mitral valve function.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The mitral valve is located in the heart between the left atrium and the left ventricle. A properly functioning mitral valve permits blood to flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle when the left ventricle expands (i.e., during diastole), and prevents the regurgitation of blood from the left ventricle back into the left atrium when the left ventricle contracts, i.e., during systole.
• In some circumstances the mitral valve may fail to function properly, such that regurgitation may occur. By way of example, mitral regurgitation is a common occurrence in patients with heart failure. Mitral regurgitation in patients with heart failure is caused by changes in the geometric configurations of the left ventricle, papillary muscles and mitral annulus. These geometric alterations result in incomplete coaptation of the mitral leaflets at systole. In this situation, mitral regurgitation is generally corrected by plicating the mitral valve annulus so as to reduce the circumference of the distended annulus and restore the original geometry of the mitral valve annulus.
• More particularly, current surgical practice for mitral valve repair generally requires that the mitral valve annulus be reduced in radius by surgically opening the left atrium and then fixing sutures, or more commonly sutures in combination with a support ring, to the internal surface of the annulus; this structure is used to cinch the annulus, in a pursestring-like fashion, to a smaller radius, thereby improving leaflet coaptation and reducing mitral regurgitation.
• This method of mitral valve repair, generally termed “annuloplasty”, effectively reduces mitral regurgitation in heart failure patients. This, in turn, reduces symptoms of heart failure, improves quality of life and increases longetivity. Unfortunately, however, the invasive nature of such mitral valve surgery (i.e., general anesthesia, chest wall incision, cardiopulmonary bypass, cardiac and pulmonary arrest, and an incision on the heart itself so as to gain access to the mitral valve), and the risks associated therewith, render most heart failure patients poor surgical candidates. Thus, a less invasive means to increase leaflet coaptation and thereby reduce mitral regurgitation in heart failure patients would make this therapy available to a much greater percentage of patients.
• Mitral regurgitation also occurs in approximately 20% of patients suffering acute myocardial infarction. In addition, mitral regurgitation is the primary cause of cardiogenic shock in approximately 10% of patients who develop severe hemodynamic instability in the setting of acute myocardial infarction. Patients with mitral regurgitation and cardiogenic shock have about a 50% hospital mortality. Elimination of mitral regurgitation in these patients would be of significant benefit. Unfortunately, however, patients with acute mitral regurgitation complicating acute myocardial infarction are particularly high-risk surgical candidates, and are therefore not good candidates for a traditional annuloplasty procedure. Thus, a minimally invasive means to effect a temporary reduction or elimination of mitral regurgitation in these critically ill patients would afford them the time to recover from the myocardial infarction or other acute life-threatening events and make them better candidates for other medical, interventional or surgical therapy.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• As a result, one object of the present invention is to provide an improved method for reducing mitral regurgitation.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation.
• These and other objects are addressed by the present invention, which comprises an improved method and apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation.
• In one form of the invention, there is provided a method for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising:
• inserting apparatus into the coronary sinus of a patient in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the apparatus having a distal end, a proximal end and an intermediate portion, and the apparatus being configured so that when the apparatus is positioned in the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the distal and proximal ends will apply a posteriorly-directed force to the walls of the coronary sinus and the intermediate portion will apply an anteriorly-directed force to the walls of the coronary sinus, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation and reduce mitral regurgitation.
• In another form of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for reducing mitral regurgitation comprising:
• a body having a distal end, a proximal end and an intermediate portion, the body being configured so that when the body is positioned in the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the distal and proximal ends will apply a posteriorly-directed force to the walls of the coronary sinus, and the intermediate portion will apply an anteriorly-directed force to the walls of the coronary sinus, whereby to move the posterior annulus of the mitral valve anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation and reduce mitral regurgitation.
• In another form of the invention, there is provided an assembly for reducing mitral regurgitation, the assembly comprising:
• an elongated carrier of material sufficiently flexible to assume a first configuration generally conforming to a coronary sinus upon insertion of said carrier into the coronary sinus, and to assume a straighter second configuration when biased toward the straighter configuration, said carrier having a lumen extending lengthwise therethrough; and
• an elongated rod of a material less flexible than said carrier and adapted to be received by the lumen in said carrier;
• whereby to urge said carrier from the first configuration to the second configuration, to straighten a natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation and reduce mitral regurgitation.
• In another form of the invention, there is provided an assembly for reducing mitral regurgitation, the assembly comprising:
• an elongated carrier of material sufficiently flexible to assume a first configuration generally conforming to a coronary sinus upon insertion of said carrier into the coronary sinus, and to assume a straighter second configuration when biased toward the straighter configuration, said carrier having a plurality of lumens extending lengthwise therethrough; and
• a plurality of elongated rods of a material less flexible than said carrier and adapted to be received by the lumens in said carrier;
• whereby to urge said carrier from the first configuration to the second configuration, to straighten a natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation and reduce mitral regurgitation.
• In another form of the invention, there is provided a method for reducing mitral regurgitation, the method comprising the steps of:
• providing a flexible carrier having at least one lumen extending lengthwise therethrough;
• advancing a guidewire through the vascular system of a patient until a distal end of the guidewire is disposed in the coronary sinus of the patient;
• advancing the carrier over the guidewire until a distal end of the carrier is disposed in the coronary sinus;
• advancing a rod of a selected stiffness into said at least one lumen to exert a straightening force on the carrier and thereby on the coronary sinus to move the annulus of the mitral valve anteriorly, whereby to reduce mitral regurgitation.
• In another form of the invention, there is provided an assembly for reducing mitral regurgitation, the assembly comprising:
• a carrier of material sufficiently flexible to assume a first configuration generally conforming to a coronary sinus upon insertion of said carrier into the coronary sinus, and to assume a straighter second configuration when biased toward the straighter configuration, said carrier having a plurality of first lumens extending lengthwise therethrough;
• a catheter shaft having a plurality of first lumens extending lengthwise therethrough, each alignable with one of the carrier first lumens, a distal end of said catheter shaft being engageable with a proximal end of said carrier;
• a plurality of straightening rods, each less flexible than said carrier and adapted to be received by the catheter shaft first lumens and by the carrier first lumens; and
• a push rod adapted to be received by at least the catheter shaft first lumens and engageable with one of said straightening rods and operable to push the one straightening rod into one of the carrier first lumens in alignment with the catheter shaft lumen in which said push rod is disposed;
• whereby to bias the carrier from the first configuration to the second configuration.
• In another form of the invention, there is provided an assembly for reducing mitral regurgitation, the assembly comprising:
• an elongated carrier of material sufficiently flexible to assume a first configuration generally conforming to a coronary sinus upon insertion of said carrier into the coronary sinus, and to assume a straighter second configuration when biased toward the straighter configuration, said carrier having a plurality of first lumens extending lengthwise therethrough and a plurality of second lumens, smaller in diameter than the first lumens, extending therethrough;
• a catheter shaft having a plurality of first and second lumens extending lengthwise therethrough and alignable with the respective first and second lumens of said carrier, a distal end of said catheter shaft being engageable with a proximal end of said carrier;
• a plurality of straightening rods less flexible than said carrier and adapted to be received by the catheter shaft first lumens and by the carrier first lumens;
• a plurality of push rods adapted to be received by at least the catheter shaft first lumens; and
• a tether fixed in at least one carrier second lumen and extending through the catheter shaft second lumen and manipulatable to draw said carrier into abutting engagement with said catheter shaft;
• wherein at least one selected stiffening rod is insertable into at least one selected catheter shaft first lumen, and at least one push rod is insertable into the selected catheter shaft lumen and into engagement with the selected stiffening rod to push the selected stiffening rod into one of the carrier first lumens, to bias the carrier from the first configuration towards the second configuration.
• In another form of the invention, there is provided a method for reducing mitral regurgitation, the method comprising the steps of:
• inserting a guidewire into a patient's vascular system and into the coronary sinus;
• loading a carrier onto the guidewire, the carrier being of a material sufficiently flexible to assume a first configuration generally conforming to the coronary sinus, the carrier having a plurality of first lumens extending lengthwise therethrough;
• loading a catheter shaft onto the guidewire, the catheter shaft having a plurality of first lumens extending lengthwise therethrough and alignable with the carrier first lumens;
• advancing the catheter shaft and the carrier distally along the guidewire until the carrier is disposed in the coronary sinus and adjacent the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve;
• loading a straightening rod into a selected one of the catheter shaft first lumens, the straightening rod being of a material less flexible than the lumen;
• loading a push rod into the catheter shaft selected first lumen;
• engaging the straightening rod with the push rod and advancing the push rod distally to push the straightening rod distally into one of the carrier first lumens aligned with the selected catheter shaft first lumen to advance the engaged straightening rod into the carrier first lumen, to cause the carrier to assume a straighter second configuration;
• whereby to apply an anteriorly-directed force to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, thereby to reduce mitral regurgitation.
• In another form of the invention, there is provided a method for reducing mitral regurgitation, the method comprising the steps of:
• providing a flexible carrier having at least one lumen extending lengthwise therethrough;
• advancing a guidewire through the vascular system of a patient until a distal end of the guidewire is disposed in the coronary sinus of the patient;
• advancing the carrier over the guidewire until a distal end of the carrier is disposed in the coronary sinus;
• advancing a rod of a selected stiffness into said at least one lumen to exert a straightening force on the carrier and thereby on the coronary sinus to move the annulus of the mitral valve anteriorly, whereby to reduce mitral regurgitation;
• positioning the proximal end of said flexible carrier in a tissue pocket.
• In another form of the invention,-there is provided a method for reducing mitral regurgitation, the method comprising the steps of:
• providing a flexible carrier having at least one lumen extending lengthwise therethrough;
• advancing a guidewire through the vascular system of a patient until a distal end of the guidewire is disposed in the coronary sinus of the patient;
• advancing the carrier over the guidewire until a distal end of the carrier is disposed in the coronary sinus;
• advancing a rod of a selected stiffness into said at least one lumen to exert a straightening force on the carrier and thereby on the coronary sinus to move the annulus of the mitral valve anteriorly, whereby to reduce mitral regurgitation;
• cutting said flexible carrier to length;
• positioning a bumper into at least one lumen;
• capping the proximal end of said flexible carrier;
• positioning the proximal end of said flexible carrier in a tissue pocket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• These and other objects and features of the present invention will be more fully disclosed or rendered obvious by the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which is to be considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts and further wherein:
• FIG. 1 is a schematic view of portions of the human vascular system;
• FIG. 2 is a schematic view of portions of the human heart;
• FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a novel annuloplasty device disposed in a patient's anatomy;
• FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a preferred construction for the annuloplasty device;
• FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views taken along lines5-5 and6-6 ofFIG. 4;
• FIGS. 7, 8,9,10 and10A are schematic views showing different forms of straightening rods;
• FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line11-11 ofFIG. 4;
• FIGS. 12-14 are a series of views illustrating use of the novel annuloplasty device to reduce mitral regurgitation;
• FIG. 14A is a schematic view illustrating how a kit of different straightening rods can provide a wide range of straightening forces;
• FIG. 14B is a schematic view showing how the annuloplasty device is designed to slip atraumatically vis-à-vis the anatomy as the coronary sinus is straightened so as to reduce mitral regurgitation;
• FIG. 15 is a schematic view of an auxiliary straightening rod;
• FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing how a straightening rod and an auxiliary straightening rod may have inversely coordinated flexibility gradients;
• FIGS. 17-21 show various forms of push rods for advancing a straightening rod into an implant body;
• FIG. 22 is a schematic view showing one preferred way for releasably securing an implant body to a catheter shaft;
• FIG. 23 is a schematic view illustrating one possible way for separating a tether line from the implant body;
• FIG. 24 is a schematic view illustrating the interrelationship between rod diameter, crossing profile, peak stiffness and peak strain;
• FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram illustrating how lumens may be formed so as to create a closed flow path;
• FIGS. 26-28 illustrate how the treatment section of the annuloplasty device may be formed with various cross-sections along its length;
• FIG. 29 illustrates how the outer surface of the annuloplasty device may be formed so as to facilitate tissue in-growth and thereby enhance device stabilization;
• FIG. 30 is a schematic view showing another preferred form of the invention, wherein the annuloplasty device comprises a “single unit” construction and further wherein, at the conclusion of the implant procedure, the annuloplasty device has its proximal end stored in a “pocket” in the patient's chest; and
• FIG. 31 is a schematic view showing how the proximal end of the annuloplasty device ofFIG. 30 is capped prior to storage in the tissue pocket.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSOverview
• The coronary sinus is the largest vein in the human heart. During a large portion of its course in the atrioventricular groove, the coronary sinus typically extends adjacent to the left atrium of the heart for a distance of approximately 5 to 10 cm. Significantly, for a portion of its length, e.g., typically approximately 7-9 cm, the coronary sinus extends substantially adjacent to the posterior perimeter of the mitral annulus. The present invention takes advantage of this fact. More particularly, by deploying novel apparatus in the coronary sinus, adjacent to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, the natural curvature of the coronary sinus may be modified in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly so as to improve leaflet coaptation and, as a result, reduce mitral regurgitation.
Patient Anatomy
• Looking now atFIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown aspects of thecardiovascular system5 of a patient. More particularly,cardiovascular system5 generally comprises theheart10, thesuperior vena cava15, the rightsubclavian vein20, the leftsubclavian vein25, thejugular vein30 and theinferior vena cava35.Superior vena cava15 andinferior vena cava35 communicate with the heart'sright atrium40. Thecoronary ostium45 leads tocoronary sinus50. At the far end55 (FIG. 2) ofcoronary sinus50, the vascular structure leads to the vertically-descending anterior interventricular vein (“AIV”)60 (FIGS. 1 and 2). For the purposes of the present invention, it can generally be convenient to consider the term “coronary sinus” to mean the vascular structure extending betweencoronary ostium45 andAIV60.
• As seen inFIG. 2, betweencoronary ostium45 andAIV60,coronary sinus50 generally extends substantially adjacent to the posterior perimeter of theannulus65 of themitral valve70.Mitral valve70 comprises aposterior leaflet75 and ananterior leaflet80. In the case of a regurgitant mitral valve,posterior leaflet75 andanterior leaflet80 will generally fail to properly coapt at systole, thereby leaving an interveninggap85 which can permit the undesired regurgitation to occur.
Annuloplasty Device In General
• Looking next atFIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown anannuloplasty device90 which comprises one preferred form of the present invention.Annuloplasty device90 comprises an implant body95 (FIG. 4) for therapeutically remodeling the mitral annulus, and acatheter shaft100 for deliveringimplant body95 to the therapy site. A standard introducer sheath105 (FIG. 3) and aguidewire110 may be used to introduceannuloplasty device90 into the coronary sinus of the patient.
Implant Body
• Looking next atFIGS. 3-6, in one preferred form of the present invention,implant body95 comprises alead section115 and atreatment section120.
• Lead section115 comprises adistal end125 and aproximal end130.Lead section115 is preferably tapered along its length, having a narrower distal tip and increasing in diameter as it extends in the proximal direction, such thatlead section115 may facilitate distal movement ofimplant body95 through vascular structures.Lead section115 includes at least one lumen135 (FIG. 5) extending from its distal end to its proximal end.Lumen135 facilitates device delivery overguidewire115 using standard percutaneous delivery techniques, as will hereinafter be discussed in further detail.
• Lead section115 is preferably formed out of a relatively soft, flexible material, e.g., a low durometer silicone rubber, and is sized so that when itsproximal end130 is located at the junction of the coronary sinus and the anterior interventricular vein (AIV), itsdistal end125 may be received down the AIV. Preferably one or more radiopaque markers140 (FIGS. 3 and 4) are located at or near thedistal end125 oflead section115, so that the location ofdistal end125 can be visualized under fluoroscopy or the like.
• Treatment section120 comprises acarrier145 having adistal end150 and aproximal end155. Thedistal end150 ofcarrier145 is secured to theproximal end130 oflead section115, wherebylead section115 can provide a relatively gentle, atraumatic introduction fortreatment section120 asannuloplasty device90 is advanced through a vascular structure. Preferably one or more radiopaque markers160 (FIGS. 3 and 4) are located at or near thedistal end150 oftreatment section120, and one or moreradiopaque markers165 are located at or near theproximal end155 oftreatment section120, so that the location oftreatment section120 can be visualized under fluoroscopy or the like.
• Carrier145 comprises at least one, and preferably a plurality, of working lumens170 (FIG. 6) extending from itsproximal end155 toward itsdistal end150. The workinglumens170 may all have the same diameter as one another or they may have different diameters from one another. In one preferred construction, three identical workinglumens170, equally disposed about the center axis ofcarrier145, extend substantially all the way from theproximal end155 ofcarrier145 to thedistal end150 ofcarrier145.
• Carrier145 also comprises at least one, and preferably a plurality, of auxiliary lumens175 (FIG. 6) extending from itsproximal end155 toward itsdistal end150. Theauxiliary lumens175 may all have the same diameter as one another or they may have different diameters from one another. Furthermore, one or more of theauxiliary lumens175 may have the same diameter as one or more of the workinglumens170. In one preferred construction, three identicalauxiliary lumens175, equally disposed about the center axis ofcarrier145 and having a diameter less than the diameter of workinglumens170, extend substantially all the way from theproximal end155 ofcarrier145 to thedistal end150 ofcarrier145.
• At least one of the workinglumens170 and/or theauxiliary lumens175 communicates with the at least one lumen135 (FIG. 5) extending continuously throughlead section115, whereby to facilitate device delivery overguidewire115 using standard percutaneous delivery techniques, as will hereinafter be discussed in further detail. In one preferred construction, one of the workinglumens170 incarrier145 communicates with onelumen135 extending throughlead section115.
• Carrier145 is preferably formed out of a relatively flexible material, such thatcarrier145 can be advanced into the coronary sinus of a patient without causing a significant change to the natural geometry of the coronary sinus, as will hereinafter be discussed. In addition,carrier145 is preferably formed out of a relatively low friction material, such thatcarrier145 can be advanced easily through the vascular system of a patient, and such that rods, wires and the like can be easily advanced into, and easily withdrawn from,lumens170 and175 ofcarrier145. In one preferred embodiment,carrier145 is formed out of Teflon.
• Workinglumens170 are intended to selectively receive straightening rods so as to therapeutically remodel the mitral annulus, as will hereinafter be discussed. One preferred form of straightening rod is the straighteningrod180 shown inFIG. 7.
• Looking now atFIGS. 3, 6 and7, each of the straighteningrods180 is formed so as to be somewhat more rigid than the anatomical tissue surrounding the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, and each of the straighteningrods180 has a shape somewhat straighter than the shape of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, and each of the straighteningrods180 has a length, such that when a straighteningrod180 is positioned in aworking lumen170 ofcarrier145 while the carrier is positioned in the coronary sinus of a patient adjacent to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, that straightening rod will impart a straightening force to the wall of the coronary sinus, whereby to move the posterior annulus anteriorly so as to improve leaflet coaptation and, as a result, reduce mitral regurgitation, as will hereinafter be discussed.
• In one preferred form of the invention, each of the straighteningrods180 comprises a substantially straight bar (in an unstressed condition) which is somewhat flexible, such that the bar will elastically apply a straightening force to the wall of the coronary sinus.
• Each of the straighteningrods180 may deliver exactly the same straightening force to the wall of the coronary sinus as every other straightening rod, or the straightening rods may be engineered so as to provide differing degrees of straightening force. In one preferred form of the invention, a kit comprising a variety ofdifferent straightening rods180, each providing a different degree of straightening force, is provided for appropriate selection by the doctor. Differences in straightening force may be achieved through differences in rod diameters, differences in rod length, differences in rod composition, etc.
• And in one preferred form of the invention, each of the straighteningrods180 applies a force to the wall of the coronary sinus which is, by itself, adequate to move the mitral annulus only a fraction of the total distance ultimately desired to reduce mitral regurgitation. In this form of the invention, additional straighteningrods180 may be deployed incarrier145 to supply additional straightening force to the mitral annulus; and/or additional straightening rods may be deployed in one or more of theauxiliary lumens175 to supply additional straightening force to the mitral annulus; and/or additional straightening elements may be incorporated in, or on, or around,carrier145 so as to supply additional straightening force to the mitral annulus. By way of example but not limitation, additional straightening rods may be molded into the body ofcarrier145 in the regions between workinglumens170 andauxiliary lumens175; and/or an external slat or shell or tube may be formed on the exterior surface ofcarrier145.
• Additionally, or as an alternative to the foregoing, the apparatus may be constructed so as to apply an elastic straightening force to the mitral annulus, such that a force which initially moves the mitral annulus only a fraction of the total distance ultimately desired to reduce mitral regurgitation, may dynamically work its therapeutic effect over time as the coronary tissue remodels.
• In one preferred form of the invention, each of the straighteningrods180 comprises a multizone bar having regions of differing flexibility. As a result, different portions of the mitral annulus may be reconfigured with differing amounts of force so as to achieve improved leaflet coaptation.
• In one particularly preferred form of the invention, each of the straighteningrods180 comprises a “5-zone bar” similar to the 5-zone bar disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/446,470; 60/489,549; and 60/562,958, e.g., and looking now atFIG. 7, each of the straighteningrods180 comprises a central region (or hinge) S₁having a selected degree of flexibility; extension segments (or arms) S₂having a lower degree of flexibility than central region S₁; and end segments (or feet) S₃having a higher degree of flexibility than central region S₁. This 5-zone bar has been found to be a particularly advantageous construction inasmuch as (1) the 5-zone bar tends to center itself in the coronary sinus in position about the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, in a sort of “macroelastic energy well”, whereby to minimize undesirable longitudinal bar migration; (2) the 5-zone bar tends to improve leaflet coaptation by reducing the distended mitral valve's anterior-to-posterior dimension without increasing the valve's commissure-to commissure dimension, whereby to minimize the creation of undesirable “side jets”; and (3) the 5-zone bar has also been found to accommodate patient-to-patient anatomical variations extremely well.
• In practice, each of the straighteningrods180 is also preferably formed with a tapered distal end185 (FIG. 7) terminating in anatraumatic ball tip190, such that the straighteningrod180 can be easily advanced from a location outside the body into a workinglumen170 ofcarrier145 when thecarrier145 is disposed in the coronary sinus of a patient. As a consequence of the foregoing construction, each of the straighteningrods180 effectively has an additional distal end segment S₄having a degree of flexibility even higher than the flexibility of the aforementioned end segments S₃.
• If desired, one or more of the straighteningrods180 may be formed out of a single piece of material (e.g., Nitinol), with the regions of differing flexibility S₁, S₂, S₃and S₄being provided by different rod diameters (see, for example, the construction shown inFIG. 8); and/or straighteningrods180 may combine two or more different materials (e.g., stainless steel and Nitinol, etc.) in a composite construction (see, for example, the construction shown inFIG. 9 where the straightening rod comprises alternating sections of Nitinol and stainless steel, or the constructions shown inFIGS. 10 and 10A, where the straightening rod comprises concentric arrangements of Nitinol and stainless steel), etc.
Catheter Shaft
• Catheter shaft100 (FIG. 4) serves to deliverimplant body95 to the therapy site.Catheter shaft100 comprises adistal end195 and aproximal end200. Thedistal end195 ofcatheter shaft100 engages theproximal end155 ofimplant body95 whilecatheter shaft100 is deliveringimplant body95 to the therapy site and, in some forms of the invention, is preferably selectively separable from theproximal end155 ofimplant body95 at some point thereafter. To this end, and as will hereinafter be discussed in further detail,implant body95 may be formed separate fromcatheter shaft100 and be removably secured thereto, orimplant body95 may be formed integral withcatheter shaft100 and be thereafter selectively separable therefrom (e.g., such as by cutting).
• Catheter shaft100 comprises an elongated structure which is sufficiently long, and is formed out of a material which is sufficiently flexible, such thatcatheter shaft100 may be used to advanceimplant body95 through the vascular system of a patient to the coronary sinus. By way of example but not limitation,catheter shaft100 may have a length and flexibility such that it can be used to advanceimplant body95 from an access point in the jugular vein in the neck or the right or left subclavian vein in the torso, down that access vein, down the superior vena cava, through the right atrium of the heart, and then into the coronary sinus.
• Looking next atFIGS. 4 and 11,catheter shaft100 comprises at least one, and preferably a plurality, of workinglumens205. Workinglumens205 open on thedistal end195 ofcatheter shaft100, extend completely throughcatheter shaft100, and open on theproximal end200 ofcatheter shaft100. Workinglumens205 provide access to the workinglumens170 incarrier145 and, to this end, the workinglumens205 incatheter shaft100 are preferably equal in number to, and aligned with, the workinglumens170 provided incarrier145.
• Catheter shaft100 also comprises at least one, and preferably a plurality, ofauxiliary lumens210.Auxiliary lumens210 open on thedistal end195 ofcatheter shaft100, extend completely throughcatheter shaft100, and open on theproximal end200 ofcatheter shaft100.Auxiliary lumens210 provide access to theauxiliary lumens175 incarrier145 and, to this end, theauxiliary lumens210 incatheter shaft100 are preferably equal in number to, and aligned with, theauxiliary lumens175 provided incarrier145.
Use
• Annuloplasty device90 is preferably used as follows.
• First, a standard introducer sheath105 (FIG. 3) is introduced into the vascular system of the patient and advanced to the coronary ostium. By way of example but not limitation, this may be accomplished by inserting the introducer sheath into the jugular vein of the patient (or the right or left subclavian vein of the patient), advancing it down the superior vena cava, through the right atrium of the heart, and then into the mouth of the coronary ostium. Then aguidewire110 is advanced through thestandard introducer sheath105 and into the coronary sinus (FIG. 12). Next,annuloplasty device90 is loaded onto theguidewire110. Whereannuloplasty device90 is constructed so thatimplant body95 andcatheter shaft100 are formed integral with one another,annuloplasty device90 may be loaded as a unit ontoguidewire110. Whereannuloplasty device90 is constructed so thatimplant body95 andcatheter shaft100 are formed separate from one another,implant body95 andcatheter shaft100 may be united before being loaded ontoguidewire110, orimplant body95 andcatheter shaft100 may be separately loaded onto theguidewire110 and thereafter be brought together. Regardless of whenimplant body95 andcatheter shaft100 are united (i.e., during manufacture, prior to loading ontoguidewire110 or after loading onto guidewire110),implant body95 andcatheter shaft100 are united so that the workinglumens170 incarrier145 are aligned with the workinglumens205 incatheter shaft100, and so that theauxiliary lumens175 incarrier145 are aligned with theauxiliary lumens210 incatheter shaft100.Annuloplasty device90 is preferably loaded ontoguidewire110 by passing an aligned pair of workinglumens170,205 over the proximal end ofguidewire110 and then advancing theannuloplasty device90 distally along the guidewire. Alternatively,annuloplasty device90 may be loaded ontoguidewire110 by passing an aligned pair ofauxiliary lumens175,210 over the proximal end ofguidewire110 and then advancing theannuloplasty device90 distally along the guidewire; or other lumens may be provided inannuloplasty device90 for loading theannuloplasty device90 onto the guidewire.
• Next,annuloplasty device90 is advanced distally down theguidewire110 until itstreatment section120 is positioned adjacent to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, withlead section115 extending down the AIV, and with the junction oftreatment section120 andlead section115 being located at the junction of the coronary sinus and the AIV (FIGS. 3 and 13).Radiopaque markers140,160 and/or165 may be used to help positionannuloplasty device90 under fluoroscopy or the like.
• Preferably, there are no straighteningrods180 disposed in the workinglumens170 oftreatment section120 whileannuloplasty device90 is being advanced to the therapy site. As a result, inasmuch ascarrier145 is formed out of a relatively flexible material,carrier145 will be able to readily flex as theannuloplasty device90 is advanced through the vascular system of the patient, thereby facilitating device advancement. This is a significant advantage of the present invention, since it allows the annuloplasty device to be deployed with a minimum of tissue trauma and with a reduced risk of device kinking.
• Inasmuch ascarrier145 is formed out of a relatively flexible material, it can be desirable to insert obturators into any unused working lumen pairs170,205 prior to advancement ofannuloplasty device90 downguidewire110. This can help keep unused lumens open and, particularly wherecarrier145 is bending, help prevent a straightening rod from plunging through the side wall of the carrier when straightening rods are thereafter advanced into the carrier. By way of example, where acarrier145 has three workinglumens170, obturators located in two of the workinglumens170 can provide “rails” for guiding the insertion of a straightening rod into the remaining (i.e., third) working lumen. However, in this respect it should also be appreciated that it is generally desirable that such obturators be as flexible as possible, such that they can keep unused working lumen pairs170,205 open without imposing a significant resistance to device flexing and/or advancement.
• Similarly, obturators may be inserted into any unused auxiliary lumen pairs175,210 prior to advancement of theannuloplasty device90 downguidewire110.
• Onceannuloplasty device90 has been advanced into the vascular system of the patient so that itstreatment section120 is positioned in the coronary sinus adjacent to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, guidewire110 may be withdrawn. Alternatively, to the extent that the lumens occupied byguidewire110 are not needed for another purpose, guidewire110 may be left in place. This can be advantageous, sinceguidewire110 can provide support for its host lumens (e.g., a workinglumen pair170,205) while the guidewire extends throughannuloplasty device90.
• Next, one ormore straightening rods180 is advanced into the workinglumens170 ofcarrier145. This is preferably done by first advancing the straighteningrod180 through a workinglumen205 ofcatheter shaft100 and then into a workinglumen170 ofcarrier145. To the extent that the workinglumens205 and170 are filled with an obturator or guidewire during insertion ofannuloplasty device90 into the coronary sinus, the same is withdrawn prior to inserting the straightening rod.
• As each straighteningrod180 is inserted into a workinglumen170 ofcarrier145, the carrier becomes progressively stiffer and hence straighter, incrementally remodeling the geometry of the distended mitral valve so as to urge its posterior leaflet anteriorly, whereby to reduce mitral regurgitation (FIG. 14). As eachsuccessive straightening rod180 is inserted into a workinglumen170 ofcarrier145, the degree of mitral valve regurgitation is observed, with the process continuing until the degree of regurgitation is minimized. In essence, with the straighteningrods180 being inserted intocarrier145 while the carrier is disposed in the coronary sinus,implant body95 is assembled in situ. This approach provides a number of significant advantages. Among other things, the serial insertion of the straightening rods intocarrier145 allows the therapeutic treatment to be applied in a “stepwise fashion”, thereby allowing “fine tuning” of the tissue reconfiguration so as to enable optimal treatment. In this respect it is noted that straighteningrods180 are preferably provided in the form of a kit comprising a variety ofdifferent straightening rods180, each providing a different degree of straightening force, whereby to facilitate delivery of the optimal amount of tissue reconfiguration force. See, for example,FIG. 14A, which shows how three different straightening rod lengths, each provided in six different stiffnesses, can yield a selection of eighteen different straightening forces available to the doctor. Furthermore, since the therapeutic load is imposed on the patient's anatomy incrementally, tissue trauma is reduced. And inasmuch as the invention uses less traumatic apparatus, the system elements can be made simpler and less expensive. Still other advantages of the novel approach of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure.
• Furthermore, by formingcarrier145 out of a relatively low friction material, e.g., Teflon, straighteningrods180 will be slidably received incarrier145 andcarrier145 will be slidably received withincoronary sinus30. As a result, assuccessive straightening rods180 are inserted intocarrier145 and the posterior annulus is progressively moved anteriorly, the distal and proximal ends of the apparatus will be free to slide outwardly as needed as the apparatus assumes a straighter configuration.
• More particularly, and looking now atFIG. 14B, the annuloplasty device'streatment section120 is shown deployed in the patient's anatomy. As thetreatment section120 transitions from a non-straightening state (solid line) to a straightening state (phantom line) due to the insertion of straighteningrods180, the distal and proximal ends150 and155 oftreatment section120 atraumatically slide along the anatomy (i.e., by some distance X) in view of the constant length of the treatment section and the changing shape of the anatomy. By formingcarrier145 out of a relatively low friction material (e.g., Teflon), this device slide can be accommodated relatively atraumatically. Indeed, inasmuch as the anatomy is reconfigured incrementally with the insertion of each successive straightening rod, this device slide also incurs incrementally, thereby further reducing tissue trauma.
Additional Preferred Construction Details
• Straighteningrods180 are sized and shaped so that they will induce a straightening of the coronary sinus when they are deployed in the coronary sinus. More particularly, each of the straighteningrods180 is formed so as to be somewhat more rigid than the anatomical tissue surrounding the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, and each of the straighteningrods180 has a shape somewhat straighter than the natural curvature the patient's coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, and each of the straighteningrods180 has a length, such that when the straightening rod is disposed in the coronary sinus of the patient, it will impart a straightening force to the coronary sinus, so as to apply an anteriorly-directed force to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, whereby to reduce mitral regurgitation.
• Significantly, thecarrier145 may be constructed so that it, by itself, applies only a nominal straightening force to the wall of the coronary sinus. This arrangement can be highly advantageous, since it means that acarrier145 lacking straighteningrods180 can be easily and atraumatically advanced to the therapy site.
• And, significantly, each straighteningrod180 need apply only a fraction of the total straightening force which is to be applied to the wall of the coronary sinus, since the cumulative effect of multiple straighteningrods180 may be harnessed. This is also highly advantageous, since it means that each individual straightening rod may be easily and atraumatically advanced to the therapy site.
• Also, significantly, by applying the straightening force to the mitral annulus through the use of one or more independently deployed straightening rods, different degrees of straightening force may be applied by using more or less straightening bars, and/or by using more or less rigid straightening bars, etc.
• Significantly, by forming each straighteningrod180 out of a resilient material, each straighteningrod180 need only apply a fraction of the force needed to effect substantially complete leaflet coaptation, inasmuch as the straightening rod can dynamically effect leaflet coaptation over time as the tissue progressively remodels. In this respect it should be noted that tissue tends to respond dynamically, so that a flexible bar can be used to progressively drive the tissue closer and closer to a final position, whereby to effect tissue remodeling over a period of time, with the tissue being subjected to less trauma than if the desired tissue remodeling had been induced entirely at one time.
• If desired, straighteningrods180 may also be pre-loaded into one or more workinglumens170 oftreatment section120 prior to advancingannuloplasty device90 into the coronary sinus; or straighteningrods180 may be pre-loaded into one or more workinglumens205 ofcatheter shaft100 prior to advancingannuloplasty device90 into the coronary sinus.
• If desired, straightening rods may be inserted intoauxiliary lumens175 ofcarrier145 so as to induce the desired straightening of the mitral annulus. This may be done in addition to inserting straightening rods into workinglumens170, or as an alternative to inserting straightening rods into workinglumens170.
• In one preferred construction, straightening rods are deployed in both workinglumens170 andauxiliary lumens175 so as to effect the desired annulus straightening.
• And in one particularly preferred construction, the flexibility of the straightening rods in workinglumens170 is coordinated with the flexibility of the straightening rods inauxiliary lumens175 so as to achieve improved annulus straightening.
• More particularly, and referring now toFIG. 7, it will be recalled that, in one preferred form of straighteningrod180, the distal end segment S₄of straighteningrod180 has a relatively high degree of flexibility, whereby to facilitate endoluminal advancement of the straightening rod to the coronary sinus of the patient. However, this feature also has the effect of reducing the straightening force generated by distal end segment S₄, which can adversely affect annulus straightening in this region of the coronary sinus. To this end, and looking now atFIG. 15, there is provided anauxiliary straightening rod211 which comprises at least a proximal end segment S₅having a first degree of flexibility and a distal end segment S₆having a second, higher degree of flexibility, where the flexibility of distal end segment S₆is coordinated with the flexibility of distal end segment S₄in straighteningrod180 so as to collectively provide a desired annulus straightening force.
• In one preferred form of the invention, the distal end ofauxiliary straightening rod211 has a flexibility gradient which decreases in the proximal direction, whereby to compensate for the distal end of straighteningrod180, which has a flexibility gradient which increases in the proximal direction. This effect is schematically illustrated inFIG. 16. Such flexibility gradients may be achieved in various ways, e.g., through changes in rod diameter, through the use of more than one construction material, etc.
• In one preferred form of the invention, one ormore straightening rods211 are deployed inauxiliary lumens210 prior to advancingannuloplasty device90 into the coronary sinus, and one ormore straightening rods180 are thereafter deployed in workinglumens170 afterannuloplasty device90 has been advanced into the coronary sinus.
• If desired, straighteningrods180 may be formed out of a material able to accommodate the high strain imposed on straightening rods180 (e.g., a superelastic metal such as Nitinol), and straighteningrods211 may be formed out of another material able to provide the high strength needed by carrier145 (e.g., surgical grade stainless steel).
• As noted above, it is generally desirable that the straighteningrods180 be inserted into workinglumens170 afterannuloplasty device90 has been advanced into the coronary sinus, whereby to facilitate passage ofannuloplasty device90 into the coronary sinus.
• In one form of the invention, a simple push rod215 (FIG. 17) may be used to push a straighteningrod180 through a workinglumen205 incatheter shaft100 and into a workinglumen170 intreatment section120.
• In some circumstances it may be desirable to remove a straighteningrod180 from a workinglumen170. By way of example but not limitation, it may be necessary or desirable to replace one straightening rod with another straightening rod whiletreatment section120 is in the coronary sinus so as to adjust the amount of force applied to the mitral annulus. Or it may be necessary or desirable to remove a deployedannuloplasty device90 from the coronary sinus, which may in turn make it necessary or desirable to remove a straighteningrod180 fromtreatment section120 while the treatment section is located in the coronary sinus. Removal of a straighteningrod180 fromtreatment section120 may be accomplished by releasably coupling the proximal end of the straighteningrod180 to the distal end of the push rod which is used to advance that straightening rod.
• More particularly, and looking now atFIG. 18, there is shown apush rod220 which is releasably secured to a straighteningrod180. Pushrod220 comprises adistal end225 and aproximal end230. Aflexible coil spring235 is preferably formed on thedistal end225 ofpush rod220 and engages the proximal end of straighteningrod180. Ahandle240 is secured to theproximal end230 ofpush rod220. Acentral lumen255 is formed inpush rod220.Central lumen255 receives atension wire260. One end oftension wire260 is attached to the proximal end of straighteningrod180 and the other end oftension wire260 is attached to atensioner265 carried byhandle240.
• In use, while straighteningrod180 is attached to pushrod220, handle240 is used to advance straighteningrod180 into a workinglumen170 intreatment section120 or, if desired, retract the straighteningrod180 out of workinglumen170. Thereafter, if and when straighteningrod180 is to be detached frompush rod220,tensioner265 is used to apply sufficient tension totension wire260 so as to break the tension wire free from straighteningrod180, whereupon pushrod220 can be retracted away fromannuloplasty device90 while straighteningrod180 remains in aworking lumen170 intreatment section120.
• FIGS. 19-21 show additional apparatus for releasably coupling a straightening rod to a push rod. The constructions ofFIGS. 19-21 are similar to the construction ofFIG. 18 in the sense that they permit the straighteningrod180 to be releasably coupled to the push rod, but they also have the additional advantage that the constructions ofFIGS. 19-21 permit a straightening rod to be re-acquired by the push rod after it has been released from the push rod.
• Looking next atFIG. 19, there is shown one possible construction for releasably securing a straighteningrod180 to apush rod220 such that the push rod can subsequently re-acquire the straightening rod. More particularly, with this particular construction, (i) the proximal end of straighteningrod180 includes arecess270, and (ii)push rod220 comprises anouter split tube275 and aninner wedge rod280. Wheninner wedge rod280 is retracted proximally, out ofouter split tube275,outer split tube275 will assume a relaxed condition such that it can slip in and out ofrecess270 without gripping the interior surface ofrecess270. However, whenouter split tube275 is placed withinrecess270 andinner wedge rod280 is thereafter advanced distally intoouter split tube275,outer split tube275 will be forced into a diametrically-expanded condition such that theouter split tube275 can grip the interior surface ofrecess270, whereby to secure straighteningrod180 to pushrod220. Straighteningrod180 may thereafter be released frompush rod220 by retractinginner wedge rod280 proximally out ofouter split tube275, and then withdrawingpush rod220 away from straighteningrod180.
• Looking next atFIG. 20, there is shown another possible construction for releasably securing a straighteningrod180 to apush rod220. More particularly, with this particular construction, (i) the proximal end of straighteningrod180 includes amale element285, (ii) the distal end ofpush rod220 includes a sprungrecess290, and (iii) aclosure tube295 is concentrically mounted onpush rod220. With this construction, whenclosure tube295 is retracted proximally away fromspring recess290, the proximal end ofpush rod220 will assume a relaxed, sprung condition such thatspring recess290 can be advanced over, or retracted away from,male element285 without grippingmale element285. However, when the proximal end ofpush rod220 is advanced overmale element285 andclosure tube295 is thereafter advanced distally overspring recess290, the distal end ofpush rod220 will gripmale element285, whereby to secure straighteningrod180 to pushrod220. Straighteningrod180 may thereafter be released frompush rod220 by retractingclosure tube295 away fromspring recess290, and then withdrawingpush rod220 away from straighteningrod180.
• Looking next atFIG. 21, there is shown another possible construction for releasably securing a straighteningrod180 to apush rod220. More particularly, with this particular construction, one or the other of straighteningrod180 and pushrod220 includes one half of a bayonet mount, and the other one of straighteningrod180 and pushrod220 includes the other half of a bayonet mount, whereby straighteningrod180 can be releasably connected to pushrod220.
• Still other ways for releasably securing straighteningrod180 to pushrod220 will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the present disclosure.
• As noted above, catheter shaft100 (FIG. 4) serves to deliverimplant body95 to the therapy site. Thedistal end195 ofcatheter shaft100 engages theproximal end155 ofimplant body95 whilecatheter shaft100 is deliveringimplant body95 to the therapy site and, in some forms of the invention, is preferably separable from theproximal end155 ofimplant body95 at some point thereafter. To this end,implant body95 may be formed separate fromcatheter shaft100 and be removably secured thereto, orimplant body95 may be formed integral withcatheter shaft100 and be thereafter separable therefrom.
• In the case whereimplant body95 is formed separate fromcatheter shaft100 and is removably secured thereto, various arrangements may be used to selectively connect the elements.
• In one preferred construction, and looking now atFIG. 22,tether lines300 may be used to releasablysecure implant body95 tocatheter shaft100. More particularly, one ormore tether lines300 have their distal ends fixedly mounted in anauxiliary lumen175 intreatment section120, and extend proximally through the catheter shaft'sauxiliary lumens210. Then, by pressing thedistal end195 ofcatheter shaft100 against theproximal end155 oftreatment section120, while pullingtether lines300 taut,implant body95 andcatheter shaft100 can be made to behave as a unit. More particularly, whenannuloplasty device90 is to be advanced distally down guidewire110 to the coronary sinus of the patient, thecatheter shaft100 is used to pushimplant body95 distally. If it should become necessary to retractannuloplasty device90,tether lines300 may be pulled proximally, pullingimplant body95 proximally (and thus pullingcatheter shaft100 proximally).
• If and whenimplant body95 is to be left at the treatment'site andcatheter body100 withdrawn therefrom,tether lines300 are pulled proximally whilecatheter shaft100 is held stationary, whereupontether lines300 will pull free fromimplant body95, and then thetether lines300 andcatheter shaft100 may be withdrawn from the treatment site.FIG. 23 shows one possible construction for achieving this result, where thetether lines300 are frictionally mounted inauxiliary lumens175 but withdrawable upon the application of sufficient force (i.e., strong proximal pulling while usingcatheter shaft300 to holdimplant body95 in place).
• Alternatively, if desired,catheter shaft100 can be simply backed offtether lines300, leavingimplant body95 at the treatment site andtether lines300 extending proximally away from the deployedimplant body95. This approach has the advantage that if it should subsequently become necessary to retrieveimplant body95,tether lines300 will provide ready access to the deployedimplant body95. This ability to removeimplant body95 from the patient is an important advantage of the present invention.
• Furthermore, the presence of exposedtether lines300 extending proximally fromimplant body95 will permit a cap (not shown) to be run down to, and installed on, the proximal end ofimplant body95. Such a cap can be used to provide an atraumatic end forimplant body95 and to seal at least some of the interior ofimplant body95, whereby to reduce the possibility of coagulation, etc.
• It should be appreciated that theimplant body95 described above comprises one preferred form of the elongated body157,184 discussed in the aforementioned U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/446,470; 60/489,549; and 60/562,958. As such, it will also be appreciated that implant body1015 may be deployed alone (e.g., directly against the interior wall of the coronary sinus), or it may be deployed in conjunction with any of the other devices discussed above in connection with the elongated body157,184, e.g., it may be deployed within a delivery catheter106 instead of being advanced over a guidewire, or it may be deployed in conjunction with a stabilizing scaffold, etc.
• In this respect it should also be appreciated that replacing one, relatively large diameter rod (e.g., an elongated body157,184 such as that discussed in the aforementioned U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/446,470; 60/489,549; and 60/562,958) with a plurality of smaller rods (e.g., the straighteningrods180,211 discussed above) yields significant advantages. More particularly, and looking now atFIG. 24, there is shown a schematic diagram illustrating the interrelationship between rod diameter (A or B), crossing profile (CP), peak stiffness (SF) and peak strain (ST). As used herein, the term “crossing profile” is meant to denote device cross-section. More particularly, as a single bar of rod diameter A is replaced by a plurality of bars having a smaller rod diameter B, the crossing profile (CP) of the implant can be reduced, the peak stiffness (SF) of the implant can be increased, and the peak strain (ST) reduced. Thus, the composite rod implant of the present invention, formed out of a plurality of small rods, can have a significant advantage over a rod implant formed out of a single, relatively large diameter rod.
• It should also be appreciated that an implant device formed in accordance with the present invention presents multiple variables which can by adjusted by the doctor so as to generate different straightening forces and hence achieve optimal results. These variables include: (1) implant body position within the anatomy, (2) rod position within the implant body, (3) rod length; (4) rod stiffness; and (5) overall implant body stiffness.
• It should be appreciated that inasmuch asannuloplasty device90 can be formed with a variety of different configurations, theannuloplasty device90 can be used for a variety of different purposes. By way of example, in one form of the invention,annuloplasty device90 may be used solely as a diagnostic device and may be fully withdrawn at the conclusion of the procedure. In this case it may be desirable, for cost reasons, to form the annuloplasty device so thatimplant body95 is formed integral (e.g., by molding) withcatheter shaft100. In another form of the invention,annuloplasty device90 may be formed so thatimplant body95 may be left at the therapy site at the conclusion of the procedure. In this situation, it may be desirable to formimplant body95 separately fromcatheter shaft100, and releasably unite them together during deployment, such thatimplant body95 may be left in the coronary sinus at the conclusion of the procedure.
• In many situations it may be important to flush the device with a fluid. This may be done to eliminate air emboli, or to provide a contrast medium, or for some other purpose. In this case, and looking now atFIG. 25, in order to minimize the possibility of introducing foreign bodies to the patient, it may be desirable to connect two or more lumens at their distal ends with one ormore connector portions305, whereby to create a closed flow path. To the extent that implantbody95 is formed separable fromcatheter shaft100, such that fluid must flow from workinglumen205 incatheter shaft100 to workinglumen170 inimplant body95, it can be important to provide a fluid-tight connection betweenimplant body95 andcatheter shaft100.
• If desired,treatment section120 may be formed with a circular cross-section along its entire length (e.g., such as that shown inFIG. 6), or it can have a cross-section which varies along its length. By way of example but not limitation, if desired,treatment section120 could have a circular cross-section at its distal end150 (FIG. 26), a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section intermediate its length (i.e., in the region adjacent to the mitral valve's P2 leaflet), and a relatively flat cross-section (FIG. 27) at itsproximal end155. Furthermore, wheretreatment section120 has a cross-section other than circular, if desired, thetreatment section120 may be constrained in a circular configuration during insertion to the surgical site so as to facilitate passage of the treatment section through the vascular system of the patient. This may be achieved by enclosingtreatment section120 in a removable sheath310 (FIG. 28) which can be removed once thetreatment section120 is disposed at the surgical site, whereby to allowtreatment section120 to assume its desired configuration.
• FIGS. 26-28 also show how the lumens extending throughtreatment section120 may all have the same diameter if desired.
• As noted above,implant body95 may be deployed in conjunction with a stabilizing scaffold such as a stabilizing scaffold of the sort disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/446,470; 60/489,549; and 60/562,958. Such stabilizing scaffolds can help distribute device load on the wall of the coronary sinus and help stabilize the central portion oftreatment section120 against longitudinal migration (however, it will be recalled that it is generally preferred that the distal and proximal ends of the device be allowed to slide on the anatomy as needed as the device assumes a straighter configuration due to the insertion of straightening bars). Furthermore, if desired, a portion of the outer surface oftreatment section120 may comprise aconstruction315 to facilitate tissue in-growth, whereby to further anchor the central portion oftreatment section120 in the coronary sinus. By way of example but not limitation, the outer surface oftreatment section120 may have an irregular, or “fuzzy” surface geometry, and/or it may be coated with tissue in-growth promoters, etc. In one preferred form of the invention,construction315 comprises a graft element, preferably formed out of a Dacron/Teflon hybrid, anchored to the Teflon body oftreatment section120 and characterized by high traction and high endotheliazation properties.
Corridor System
• Looking next atFIGS. 30 and 31, there is shown onepreferred annuloplasty device90 which is configured to leave a re-access “corridor” extending down toimplant body95 at the conclusion of the implant procedure. To this end, (i)annuloplasty device90 preferably comprises a “single unit” construction where theproximal end155 oftreatment section120 and thedistal end195 ofcatheter shaft100 are formed integral with one another, (ii)annuloplasty device90 is intended to access the vascular system of the patient through a subclavian vein, and (iii) at the conclusion of the implant procedure, the proximal end of the catheter shaft is capped with acap320 and then secured in a “pocket” formed under the skin, as will hereinafter be discussed in further detail.
• More particularly, in this form of the invention,annuloplasty device90 is preferably deployed over a guidewire in the manner previously discussed, so that itsend section115 extends down the AIV,treatment section120 is deployed in the coronary sinus adjacent to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, andcatheter shaft100 extends through the right atrium of the heart, up the superior vena cava, up one of the subclavian veins, and then out a sidewall of that subclavian vein. In one preferred form of the invention,annuloplasty device90 has a diameter of about 7 French.
• Preferablyannuloplasty device90 extends through asupport scaffold325 which is positioned in the coronary sinus and slidingly supports the annuloplasty device near thecoronary atrium45. Thissupport scaffold325 may be of the sort disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/446,470; 60/489,549; and 60/562,958. Alternatively, thissupport scaffold325 may be of any other suitable design which helps distribute the load ofannuloplasty device90 on the sidewall of the coronary sinus, and which permits theannuloplasty device90 to slide relative to the support scaffold.Annuloplasty device90 also preferably comprises a tissue in-growth region315 to help anchor the central portion oftreatment section120 in the coronary sinus, and may include an anti-erosion sleeve or graft330 about theannuloplasty device90 at the distal end oftreatment section120.
• In accordance with the foregoing description, onceannuloplasty device90 has been properly positioned within the coronary sinus, straighteningrods180 are inserted into workinglumens205,170 so as to reconfigure the patients' anatomy and reduce mitral regurgitation.
• After straighteningrods180 have been deployed in workinglumens170 so as to reconfigure the patient's anatomy and reduce mitral regurgitation, tubular bumper coils335 (FIG. 31) or other suitable apparatus may be advanced down workinglumens205 so as to fill workinglumens205 and thereby ensure that straighteningrods180 remain stationary within workinglumens170. To the extent that straighteningrods180 also include the aforemention tension wires260 (FIG. 18), these tension wires may extend through the interior of tubular bumper coils335.
• At this point, the proximal end ofcatheter shaft320 is stored in a “pocket” in the patient's torso. More particularly, the proximal end ofcatheter shaft320 is cut to size (if necessary), capped off by acap320, and then stored in the tissue pocket.Cap320 may be a simple, “single unit” cap if desired or, more preferably,cap320 may comprise an inner cap340 (including seals345 and plugs350 for holdingtension wires260 in position relative to inner cap340) and an outer cap355 (for making a simple sliding fit over the entire back end of the annuloplasty device). Preferablyouter cap355 comprises an atraumatic profile so as to minimize any discomfort for the patient.
• This “corridor system” embodiment has a number of significant advantages. Among other things, by providing an easy access corridor to the implanted device, if it should subsequently be desired to adjust the degree of tissue reconfiguration, the same can be easily accomplished, e.g., by opening the tissue pocket so as to access the distal end of annuloplasty device, removingouter cap355, removinginner cap340, removing tubular bumper coils335, removing straighteningrods180 by means oftension wires260, installingreplacement straightening rods180, reinstalling tubular bumper coils335, and recapping the device. Alternatively, by providing an easy access corridor to the implanted device, the entire device can be subsequently removed from the patient if the same should be desired, i.e., by opening the tissue pocket so as to access the distal end of annuloplasty device, removingouter cap355, removinginner cap340, removing tubular bumper coils335, removing straighteningrods180 by means oftension wires260, and then removing the remainder of the annuloplasty device by pulling proximally on the proximal end ofcatheter shaft100.
• Furthermore, by providing anannuloplasty device90 which comprises a “single unit” construction which has its proximal end sized (i.e., cut off) as needed during use so as to sit in the tissue pocket, device sizing issues (and correspondingly, inventory issues) are greatly simplified.
Modifications
• It will be understood that many additional changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangements of parts, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principles and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Claims (46)

1. An assembly for reducing mitral regurgitation, the assembly comprising:

an elongated carrier of material sufficiently flexible to assume a first configuration generally conforming to a coronary sinus upon insertion of said carrier into the coronary sinus, and to assume a straighter second configuration when biased toward the straighter configuration, said carrier having a lumen extending lengthwise therethrough; and

an elongated rod of a material less flexible than said carrier and adapted to be received by the lumen in said carrier;

whereby to urge said carrier from the first configuration to the second configuration, to straighten a natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation and reduce mitral regurgitation.

2. An assembly according toclaim 1 wherein said carrier is of a circular cross-section in at least a portion thereof.

3. An assembly according toclaim 1 wherein said carrier is of an ovoid cross-section in at least a portion thereof.

4. An assembly according toclaim 1 wherein said rod is provided with varying degrees of stiffness along the length thereof.

5. An assembly according toclaim 1 wherein said rod is selected from a kit comprising a plurality of rods having different degrees of stiffness.

6. An assembly according toclaim 1 wherein said rod is selected from a kit comprising a plurality of rods having different lengths.

7. An assembly according toclaim 1 wherein the assembly further comprises a guidewire, and said carrier further comprises an opening through which said guidewire is movable.

8. An assembly according toclaim 1 wherein said carrier is provided with a second lumen extending lengthwise through said carrier; and

said assembly comprises a second elongated rod of a material less flexible than said carrier and adapted to be received by the second lumen;

whereby to further urge said carrier from the second configuration to a still straighter configuration.

9. An assembly according toclaim 8 wherein the lumens are of different diameters.

10. An assembly according toclaim 8 wherein said first rod is of a stiffness different from the stiffness of said second rod.

11. An assembly according toclaim 8 wherein said rods are provided with varying degrees of stiffness along the length thereof.

12. An assembly according toclaim 8 wherein said rod is selected from a kit comprising a plurality of rods having different lengths.

13. An assembly according toclaim 11 wherein the stiffness of said first rod along at least a portion thereof is inversely coordinated with the stiffness of said second rod along at least a portion thereof.

14. An assembly according toclaim 8 wherein the assembly further comprises a sheath for constraining said carrier, said sheath being removable from said carrier.

15. An assembly according toclaim 14 wherein said sheath constrains said carrier in a first cross-sectional configuration and, upon removal of said sheath, frees said carrier to assume a second cross-sectional configuration.

16. An assembly according toclaim 1 wherein said elongated rod is substantially straight in an unstressed condition.

17. An assembly according toclaim 1 wherein said elongated rod is substantially curved after insertion into the coronary sinus.

18. An assembly according toclaim 1 wherein said elongated rod comprises first and second end portions connected together by an intermediate portion, wherein said intermediate portion comprises first and second regions connected together by a central region, wherein said central region and said first and second end portions are substantially curved after said elongated body is inserted into the coronary sinus, and further wherein said first and second regions are substantially straight after the elongated body is inserted into the coronary sinus.

19. An assembly according toclaim 18 wherein said central region, said first and second end portions and said first and second regions have a length such that said elongated body applies an anteriorly-directed force to the walls of the coronary sinus substantially adjacent to the posterior leaflet of the valve, and applies a posteriorly-directed force to the walls of the coronary sinus substantially adjacent to the commissures of the valve.

20. An assembly according toclaim 1 wherein said elongated rod is formed at least in part out of a resilient material.

21. An assembly according toclaim 20 wherein said elongated rod effects valve remodeling on a continuous basis over a prolonged period of time.

22. An assembly according toclaim 21 wherein said elongated rod is formed at least in part out of a superelastic material.

23. An assembly according toclaim 1 wherein said assembly further comprises a stabilizing scaffold engaging to said elongated carrier.

24. An assembly according toclaim 1 wherein at least a portion of said elongated carrier is configured to facilitate tissue in-growth.

25. An assembly for reducing mitral regurgitation, the assembly comprising:

an elongated carrier of material sufficiently flexible to assume a first configuration generally conforming to a coronary sinus upon insertion of said carrier into the coronary sinus, and to assume a straighter second configuration when biased toward the straighter configuration, said carrier having a plurality of lumens extending lengthwise therethrough; and

a plurality of elongated rods of a material less flexible than said carrier and adapted to be received by the lumens in said carrier;

whereby to urge said carrier from the first configuration to the second configuration, to straighten a natural curvature of at least a portion of the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, to move the posterior annulus anteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation and reduce mitral regurgitation.

26. A method for reducing mitral regurgitation, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a flexible carrier having at least one lumen extending lengthwise therethrough;

advancing a guidewire through the vascular system of a patient until a distal end of the guidewire is disposed in the coronary sinus of the patient;

advancing the carrier over the guidewire until a distal end of the carrier is disposed in the coronary sinus;

advancing a rod of a selected stiffness into said at least one lumen to exert a straightening force on the carrier and thereby on the coronary sinus to move the annulus of the mitral valve anteriorly, whereby to reduce mitral regurgitation.

27. A method according toclaim 26 wherein said carrier comprises a plurality of lumens extending lengthwise therethrough, and further wherein said guidewire extends through one of said lumens.

28. A method according toclaim 26 wherein the flexible carrier is provided in a sheath, the sheath and carrier are advanced together, and the sheath is removed after the carrier is disposed in the coronary sinus and before the advancement of the rod into the carrier.

29. An assembly for reducing mitral regurgitation, the assembly comprising:

a carrier of material sufficiently flexible to assume a first configuration generally conforming to a coronary sinus upon insertion of said carrier into the coronary sinus, and to assume a straighter second configuration when biased toward the straighter configuration, said carrier having a plurality of first lumens extending lengthwise therethrough;

a catheter shaft having a plurality of first lumens extending lengthwise therethrough, each alignable with one of the carrier first lumens, a distal end of said catheter shaft being engageable with a proximal end of said carrier;

a plurality of straightening rods, each less flexible than said carrier and adapted to be received by the catheter shaft first lumens and by the carrier first lumens; and

a push rod adapted to be received by at least the catheter shaft first lumens and engageable with one of said straightening rods and operable to push the one straightening rod into one of the carrier first lumens in alignment with the catheter shaft lumen in which said push rod is disposed;

whereby to bias the carrier from the first configuration to the second configuration.

30. An assembly according toclaim 29 wherein said straightening rods are of varying degrees of stiffness along the length thereof.

31. An assembly according toclaim 29 wherein said rod is selected from a kit comprising a plurality of rods having different lengths.

32. An assembly according toclaim 29 wherein the assembly further comprises a guidewire adapted for insertion into the coronary sinus, and said carrier and said catheter shaft are movable along said guidewire.

33. An assembly according toclaim 29 wherein said push rod is adapted to connect to a selected straightening rod end-to-end, and to be disconnected therefrom.

34. An assembly according toclaim 29 wherein said carrier and said catheter shaft are each provided with second lumens of smaller diameter than the first lumens.

35. An assembly according toclaim 34 wherein tether lines are fixed in the carrier second lumens, and extend proximally from a proximal end of said catheter shaft, the tether lines being drawable through said catheter shaft to urge said catheter shaft and said carrier into abutting relationship.

36. An assembly for reducing mitral regurgitation, the assembly comprising:

an elongated carrier of material sufficiently flexible to assume a first configuration generally conforming to a coronary sinus upon insertion of said carrier into the coronary sinus, and to assume a straighter second configuration when biased toward the straighter configuration, said carrier having a plurality of first lumens extending lengthwise therethrough and a plurality of second lumens, smaller in diameter than the first lumens, extending therethrough;

a catheter shaft having a plurality of first and second lumens extending lengthwise therethrough and alignable with the respective first and second lumens of said carrier, a distal end of said catheter shaft being engageable with a proximal end of said carrier;

a plurality of straightening rods less flexible than said carrier and adapted to be received by the catheter shaft first lumens and by the carrier first lumens;

a plurality of push rods adapted to be received by at least the catheter shaft first lumens; and

a tether fixed in at least one carrier second lumen and extending through the catheter shaft second lumen and manipulatable to draw said carrier into abutting engagement with said catheter shaft;

wherein at least one selected stiffening rod is insertable into at least one selected catheter shaft first lumen, and at least one push rod is insertable into the selected catheter shaft lumen and into engagement with the selected stiffening rod to push the selected stiffening rod into one of the carrier first lumens, to bias the carrier from the first configuration towards the second configuration.

37. A method for reducing mitral regurgitation, the method comprising the steps of:

inserting a guidewire into a patient's vascular system and into the coronary sinus;

loading a carrier onto the guidewire, the carrier being of a material sufficiently flexible to assume a first configuration generally conforming to the coronary sinus, the carrier having a plurality of first lumens extending lengthwise therethrough;

loading a catheter shaft onto the guidewire, the catheter shaft having a plurality of first lumens extending lengthwise therethrough and alignable with the carrier first lumens;

advancing the catheter shaft and the carrier distally along the guidewire until the carrier is disposed in the coronary sinus and adjacent the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve;

loading a straightening rod into a selected one of the catheter shaft first lumens, the straightening rod being of a material less flexible than the lumen;

loading a push rod into the catheter shaft selected first lumen;

engaging the straightening rod with the push rod and advancing the push rod distally to push the straightening rod distally into one of the carrier first lumens aligned with the selected catheter shaft first lumen to advance the engaged straightening rod into the carrier first lumen, to cause the carrier to assume a straighter second configuration;

whereby to apply an anteriorly-directed force to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, thereby to reduce mitral regurgitation.

38. A method according toclaim 37 wherein the push rod is connected to the straightening rod end-to-end when engaging the straightening rod, and is disconnected from the straightening rod upon completion of the pushing of the straightening rod.

39. A method according toclaim 37 wherein the straightening rod and the push rod are releasably connected to each other.

40. A method for reducing mitral regurgitation, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a flexible carrier having at least one lumen extending lengthwise therethrough;

advancing a guidewire through the vascular system of a patient until a distal end of the guidewire is disposed in the coronary sinus of the patient;

advancing the carrier over the guidewire until a distal end of the carrier is disposed in the coronary sinus;

advancing a rod of a selected stiffness into said at least one lumen to exert a straightening force on the carrier and thereby on the coronary sinus to move the annulus of the mitral valve anteriorly, whereby to reduce mitral regurgitation;

positioning the proximal end of said flexible carrier in a tissue pocket.

41. A method according toclaim 40 further comprising:

capping the proximal end of said flexible carrier before positioning it in the tissue pocket.

42. A method according toclaim 40 further comprising:

cutting said flexible carrier to length and capping the proximal end of said flexible carrier before positioning it in the tissue pocket.

43. A method according toclaim 42 further comprising:

positioning a bumper into at least one lumen after advancing said lumen and before capping said proximal end of said flexible carrier.

44. A method for reducing mitral regurgitation, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a flexible carrier having at least one lumen extending lengthwise therethrough;

advancing a guidewire through the vascular system of a patient until a distal end of the guidewire is disposed in the coronary sinus of the patient;

advancing the carrier over the guidewire until a distal end of the carrier is disposed in the coronary sinus;

advancing a rod of a selected stiffness into said at least one lumen to exert a straightening force on the carrier and thereby on the coronary sinus to move the annulus of the mitral valve anteriorly, whereby to reduce mitral regurgitation;

cutting said flexible carrier to length;

positioning a bumper into at least one lumen;

capping the proximal end of said flexible carrier;

positioning the proximal end of said flexible carrier in a tissue pocket.

45. A method according toclaim 44 further comprising:

uncapping the proximal end of said flexible carrier;

removing the bumper from the at least one lumen;

removing the rod from said at least one lumen;

advancing a different rod into said at least one lumen to exert a straightening force on the carrier and thereby on the coronary sinus to move the annulus of the mitral valve anteriorly, whereby to reduce mitral regurgitation;

positioning a bumper into at least one lumen;

capping the proximal end of said flexible carrier;

positioning the proximal end of said flexible carrier in a tissue pocket.

46. A method according toclaim 44 further comprising:

uncapping the proximal end of said flexible carrier;

removing the bumper from the at least one lumen;

removing the rod from said at least one lumen;

removing the flexible carrier from the coronary sinus of the patient.

Images