DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Referring now the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows a transverse cross section of the left ventricle 10 of a failing heart taken from FIG. 2 . The papillary muscles 12 are shown in cross section. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross section of human heart 10 . A mitral valve is disposed near the top of left ventricle 10 . Mitral valve 14 includes two leaflets or cusps 16 . Chordae 18 extend between leaflets 16 and papillary muscles 12 .

[0034] FIG. 3 is a cross section of heart 10 modified from that shown in FIG. 1 by placement of valve repair device 20 in accordance with the present invention as shown in FIG. 4 . FIG. 4 is a vertical cross section of left ventricle 10 with geometry modified by device 20 . In this embodiment of the invention, device 20 includes a basal anchor 22 such as an annuloplasty or suture ring sewn proximate the annulus of valve 14 . Extending from basal anchor 22 are elongate tension members 24 . Each have a first end connected to basal anchor 22 and a second end anchored to papillary muscles 12 or the heart wall.

[0035] As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4 , both the transverse radius and vertical dimension of left ventricle 10 has been reduced in comparison to that of FIGS. 1 and 2 by drawing papillary muscles 12 toward valve 14 with tension members 24 . This change in geometry reduces heart wall stress and consequently increasing chamber function. Valve function is also improved as explained in more detail by reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 .

[0036] FIG. 5 is a generally vertical cross section of an insufficient mitral valve of a heart suffering from chronic heart failure. In this case as the failing heart has dilated, papillary muscle 12 has been drawn away from mitral valve 14 . The chordae connections between papillary muscles 12 and valve 14 in turn draws leaflets 16 apart such that during the normal cardiac cycle, leaflets 16 may not completely close. Thus, an opening 26 is left between leaflets 16 throughout the cardiac cycle. Opening 26 will allow blood to leak, reducing chamber efficiency.

[0037] FIG. 6 is a view of the mitral valve 14 of FIG. 5 which has been modified by placement of valve repair device 20 as shown. Suture ring 22 is sewn proximate the annulus of valve 14 , as known to those skilled in the use of suture rings. The annulus of valve 14 can be decreased in size by drawing the annulus toward the suture ring by the sutures used to connect ring 22 to the valve. Drawing the annulus of valve 14 toward suture ring 22 will help to eliminate opening 26 . Tension member 24 is then anchored to papillary muscle 12 such that papillary muscle 12 is drawn toward valve 14 . Whether or not the suture ring alone is sufficient to eliminate opening 26 , drawing papillary muscle 12 toward valve 14 will provide additional stress relief on leaflet 16 promoting complete closure of valve 14 . Drawing papillary muscle 12 toward 14 also reduces heart wall stress and increases chamber efficiency as discussed previously.

[0038] FIG. 7 is a highly simplified view of left ventricle 10 and valve repair device 20 as shown in FIG. 4 . It can be noted that tension members 24 extend from basal anchor 22 to an adjacent papillary muscle 12 . In contrast, FIG. 8 is a similar cross sectional view of left ventricle 10 , but a valve repair device 120 is placed such that its tension members 124 extend between a basal anchor 122 and a papillary muscle 12 transversely opposite the point at which tension member 124 is connected to basal anchor 122 . This arrangement, as opposed to that shown in FIG. 7 , can increase the transverse component of the tension force in tension members 124 relative to the vertical component of that tensile force.

[0039] FIG. 9 shows yet another embodiment of the valve repair device in accordance with the present invention referred to by numeral 220 . In this embodiment, device 220 is disposed in left ventricle 10 in a manner similar to that of device 20 shown in FIG. 7 in that tension members 224 of device 220 extend from a basal anchor 222 to an adjacent secondary anchor point. The secondary anchor point is established by transverse extension of a tension member 225 across left ventricle 10 . Tension member 225 is anchored transmurally to the heart wall at its opposite ends by pads 227 . In turn, tension members 224 are anchored or connected to tension member 225 .

[0040] Tension member 225 can be used to further alter the geometry of left ventricle 10 in a manner disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/933,456, entitled “HEART WALL TENSION REDUCTION APPARATUS AND METHOD”, which was filed on Sep. 18, 1997 and is incorporated herein by reference.

[0041] FIG. 10 shows yet another embodiment of a valve repair device in accordance with the present invention referred to by numeral 320 . This embodiment includes a basal anchor 322 and tension members 324 and a transverse tension member 325 having anchor pads 327 similar to those of device 220 . With respect to device 320 , however, tension members 324 are crossed similar to those of device 120 of FIG. 8 to increase the horizontal component relative to the vertical component of the tensile force in tension member 324 .

[0042] FIG. 11 is a yet another embodiment 420 of the valve repair device of the present method. Valve repair device 420 includes a basal anchor 422 and tension members 424 . Tension members 424 are disposed in an arrangement similar to tension members 24 of device 20 shown in FIG. 7 except that tension members 424 are anchored transmurally by pads 427 rather than into papillary muscles 12 . The relatively greater thickness of tension members 424 shown in FIG. 11 , as compared to tension members 24 shown in FIG. 7 , merely illustrates that the tension members can be substantially rigid or in the case of tension members 24 , substantially flexible. It should be understood, however, that in any of the embodiments shown herein, the tension members could be advantageously formed to be substantially flexible or substantially rigid.

[0043] FIG. 12 is a top or posterior view of valve 14 . In this embodiment, the basal anchor for the valve repair device is shown as discrete pads 28 which can be sewn to the posterior side of valve 14 . Tension members 24 are shown extending from respective pads 28 into the left ventricle.

[0044] FIG. 13 is the same view of valve 14 as FIG. 12 . In FIG. 13 , however, the basal anchor 22 is shown as a crescent-shaped suture ring. Tension members 24 extends from basal anchor 22 through valve 14 into the left ventricle.

[0045] FIG. 14 is a side view of an artificial heart valve 30 . If it is necessary to replace the valve rather than merely repair it, artificial valve 30 can be used as a basal anchor for tension members 24 .

[0046] FIG. 15 is a top view of an alternate embodiment of a suture ring basal anchor 32 . Ring 32 has a crescent shape and a pylon 34 extending through the mitral valve. FIG. 16 is a side view of suture ring 32 showing tension members 24 attached to pylon 34 .

[0047] Tension members 24 preferably extend through the tissue of valve 14 rather than through the valve opening. It can be appreciated, however, that tension members 24 could be disposed through the valve opening. In the case of the embodiment of FIGS. 15 and 16 , however, pylon 34 would be disposed through the valve opening. Tension members 24 associated with pylon 34 would be disposed on the opposite side of valve 14 from suture ring 32 . Pylon 34 would preferably be disposed through the valve opening rather than the tissue forming valve 14 .

[0048] FIGS. 17 and 18 are yet additional alternate embodiments of suture rings which can be used as basal anchors in accordance with the present invention. The shape of the rings is selected such that as they are sewn into place on valve 14 , the sutures can be used to draw tissue toward the inside of the ring, thus reducing the transverse and/or vertical cross sectional area of the associated heart chamber. This will advantageously reduce heart wall stress which is of particular benefit if the patient has a failing heart.

[0049] It can be appreciated that tension members 24 can be fixably or releasably attached to the basal anchor. Preferably, the tension members are fixably attached to the basal anchor during the valve repair procedure.

[0050] FIGS. 19 - 21 show various configurations of anchoring devices shown at the second end of tension member 24 . It can be appreciated that these anchoring devices could be used with each of the tension members described above. In FIG. 19 , the second end of tension member 24 includes a secondary anchor 40 formed as screw which is shown augured into papillary muscle 12 . FIG. 20 shows a secondary anchor 42 including a loop sewn through papillary muscle 12 . FIG. 21 shows a tension member 24 extending transmurally to an exterior pad 44 to which it is connected. Tension member 24 could be sewn to pad 44 or otherwise mechanically connected thereto.

[0051] It can be appreciated that various biocompatible materials can be advantageously used to form the various components of the device of the present invention. It is anticipated that the present device will usually be chronically implanted. Thus, when selecting materials to form each of the components consideration should be given to the consequences of long term exposure of the device to tissue and tissue to the device.

[0052] Numerous characteristics and advantages of the invention covered by this document have been set forth in the foregoing description. It will be understood, however, that this disclosure is, in many respects, only illustrative. Changes may be made in details, particularly in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts without exceeding the scope of the invention. The inventions's scope is, of course, defined in the language in which the appended claims are expressed.