Patent ID: 8591576
Filing Date: 2013-11-26
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: stopping the heart of the patient from beating; resecting the heart wall of one of the atriums; inserting a system for altering the geometry of a heart into the atrium, 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 at least two lower apertures located on the lower side that are spaced apart from each other and at least one being spaced from the upper aperture around the annuloplasty ring, the annuloplasty ring further including channels that extend between the upper aperture and each of the lower apertures, the system further including at least two flexible, elongate annulus-papillary tension members that each extend from a second end through one of the lower apertures in the annuloplasty ring, through one of the channels, and through the upper aperture to a first end; passing the second ends of the tension members into the ventricle associated with the atrium; attaching each of the second ends of the tension members to a papillary muscle; attaching the annuloplasty ring to the heart valve annulus between the atrium and the associated ventricle; extending the first ends of the tension members from the upper aperture of the annuloplasty ring to a position outside the atrium; and after restarting the heart of the patient and while the heart is beating, adjusting the distance between the second ends of the tension members and the annuloplasty ring by manipulating the first ends of the tension members from outside the atrium.