Patent ID: 9724194
Date: 2017-08-08
CPC Classifications: A61F

Claim:
1. An epicardial clip for placement on the epicardial surface of a heart in order to reshape the annulus of the mitral valve of the heart, the mitral valve lying in a plane between the left atrium and the left ventricle of the heart, the anatomy of the heart includes an aorta, a pulmonary trunk, a superior vena cava, a transverse sinus, and an atrioventricular groove, the epicardial clip comprising: a curved member having an anterior segment, a posterior segment and a lateral segment extending between the anterior segment and the posterior segment; wherein the anterior segment is configured and dimensioned to at least partially occupy the transverse sinus epicardially and end at a location short of overlying the right atrium; wherein the curved member is configured for positioning the anterior segment on or above a plane in which the mitral valve is located, and the posterior segment on or below the plane in which the mitral valve is located, and below a position of the anterior segment; wherein said epicardial clip is configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of said anterior segment on the epicardial surface of the heart at a location superior of an anterior annulus of the mitral valve, said epicardial clip configured to move said posterior segment toward or away from the apex of the heart while said anterior segment remains in contact with a base of the transverse sinus; wherein said epicardial clip is non-flexible and having a permanent configuration, said permanent configuration is configured not to be readily bent to an ad hoc configuration; and wherein said curved member comprises a helical curve.