Patent ID: 8133168

Claim:
An apparatus adapted for external attachment to a left ventricle of a heart for remediating mitral valve regurgitation, which comprises in combination: (a) a U-shaped member having a planar portion, a first leg having at least one first hole therethrough, and a second leg parallel to the first leg having at least one second hole therethrough, the first leg having a portion thereof directed out of the planar portion at a first chosen angle and the second leg having a portion thereof directed out of the planar portion at a second chosen angle on the same side thereof as the out-of-plane portion of the first leg; (b) a first rod having an enlarged portion at one end thereof adapted to slidably move in one of the at least one holes through said first leg; (c) a second rod having an enlarged portion at one end thereof adapted to slidably move in one of the at least one second holes through said second leg; (d) a first spring disposed between the end of said first rod bearing the enlarged portion and said first leg, configured to spring-load said first rod; and (e) a second spring disposed between the end of said second rod bearing the enlarged portion and said second leg, configured to spring-load said second rod, wherein the enlarged portion of said first rod and the enlarged portion of said second rod provide a force against the left ventricle in an amount effective to reduce mitral valve regurgitation when said apparatus is attached to the left ventricle of a heart.