Patent ID: 6619291
Filing Date: 2003-09-16
Classification: A61B,A61F,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for performing a procedure on a mitral valve of a heart, the method comprising:inserting at least one implant into a left ventricle of the heart wherein inserting the implant into the left ventricle includes introducing the implant into an aorta and passing the implant through an aortic valve interposed between the aorta and the left ventricle; introducing a guide element into the left ventricle, the guide element being configured to be positioned in the left ventricle between a plane of the mitral valve and a plane associated with papillary muscles of the heart, wherein inserting the implant into the left ventricle includes positioning the implant such that the implant uses the guide element as a track and wherein introducing the guide element into the left ventricle further includes (a) introducing a first catheter assembly into the aorta, the first catheter assembly including an angled catheter, and a gutter catheter, wherein the angled catheter substantially carries the gutter catheter, the angled catheter being arranged to facilitate positioning of the gutter catheter,(b) positioning the gutter catheter beneath the mitral valve between the plane of the mitral valve and the plane associated with the papillary muscles, wherein positioning the gutter catheter includes positioning the gutter catheter along a wall of the left ventricle, and (c) inserting the guide element into a lumen of the gutter catheter; positioning the at least one implant with respect to the mitral valve, wherein positioning the implant includes orienting the implant in the left ventricle substantially below the mitral valve; attaching the implant to tissue located near the mitral valve; reducing an arc length of the implant, wherein reducing the arc length of the implant substantially reduces an arc length associated with the mitral valve; and removing the guide element from the left ventricle after attaching the implant to the tissue.