Patent ID: 7744609
Filing Date: 2010-06-29
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for stabilizing and treating one or more heart valve leaflets, comprising: a probe with a distal portion having a first side and a second side; a leaflet stabilizer comprising a first vacuum port on the first side of the distal portion, wherein the leaflet stabilizer further comprises a second vacuum port on the second side of the distal portion; a vacuum port control configured to provide vacuum to the first side of the distal portion via the first vacuum port without simultaneously providing vacuum to the second side of the distal portion, and wherein the vacuum port control is configured to selectively provide vacuum to the second side of the distal portion via the second vacuum port without simultaneously providing vacuum to the second side of the distal portion via the second vacuum port; and a leaflet fastening apparatus configured to be deployable into permanent contact with at least one leaflet, at least a portion of the leaflet fastening apparatus releasably positioned on or in the probe, the leaflet fastening apparatus comprising a first element and a second element, wherein the first element is configured to be deployable to contact leaflet tissue at a first tissue location, and wherein the second element is configured to be deployable to contact leaflet tissue at a second tissue location, wherein the first tissue location and the second tissue location are separate locations on one or more leaflets.