Patent ID: 9078752
Filing Date: 2015-07-14
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method for adjusting, from outside the heart and while the heart is beating, the distance between a native heart valve annulus and associated papillary muscles located within the adjacent ventricle, comprising: inserting a system for altering the geometry of a heart into an atrium of the heart, the system comprising a substantially rigid annuloplasty ring having an upper side and a lower side, an upper aperture located on the upper side and a lower aperture located on the lower side and spaced from the upper aperture around the annuloplasty ring, the annuloplasty ring further including a channel that extends between the upper aperture and the lower aperture, the system further including a flexible, elongate annulus-papillary tension member that extends from a second end through the lower aperture in the annuloplasty ring, through the channel, and through the upper aperture to a first end; passing the second end of the tension member into the ventricle associated with the atrium; attaching the second end of the tension member to a papillary muscle; attaching the annuloplasty ring to the heart valve annulus between the atrium and the associated ventricle; extending the first end of the tension member from the upper aperture of the annuloplasty ring to a position outside the atrium; and while the heart is beating, adjusting the distance between the second end of the tension member and the annuloplasty ring by manipulating the first end of the tension member from outside the atrium.