Patent ID: 8758432

Claim:
A method for reducing regurgitation in a mitral valve, the method comprising: percutaneously inserting a mitral valve flow improvement device in a compressed state into a heart, the mitral valve flow improvement device comprising an upstream end and a downstream end; a flexible prosthetic mitral valve leaflet at the upstream end; a tissue penetrating anchor at the downstream end; a connecting member extending axially therebetween, an upstream end thereof encircled by and coupled to the prosthetic mitral valve leaflet; and a plurality of flexible extending members extending from a rim of the prosthetic mitral valve leaflet to the connecting member; anchoring the tissue penetrating anchor in a wall of the left ventricle with the prosthetic mitral valve leaflet disposed in a gap between native mitral valve leaflets; releasing the mitral valve flow improvement device from the compressed state; and permitting the prosthetic mitral valve leaflet to alternate between an open state and a closed state, wherein blood flow from the left ventricle towards the left atrium expands the prosthetic mitral valve leaflet into the closed state in which the prosthetic mitral valve leaflet is umbrella-shaped, the plurality of flexible extending members limiting an upstream movement and expansion thereof, an upstream face of the prosthetic mitral valve leaflet contacts the native mitral valve leaflets in their closed positions, coapting therewith, thereby improving a seal of the mitral valve and reducing regurgitation therethrough, and blood flow through the mitral valve from a left atrium into the left ventricle collapses the prosthetic mitral valve leaflet into the open state in which the prosthetic mitral valve leaflet is collapsed towards the connecting member, reducing a reduced radial cross section thereof and at least partially releasing contact with the native mitral valve leaflets in their open positions, thereby facilitating blood flow therearound.