摘要 |
An apparatus for remodeling the annulus of a cardiac valve includes a first elongate flexible member having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion interconnected by a main body portion. The distal end portion is steerable from the proximal end portion and advanceable to one side of the cardiac valve annulus via a percutaneous approach. The distal end portion includes a terminal end and a connecting section spaced apart by a predetermined length. The connecting section has a structure for disconnecting from the main body portion, in addition to a structure for interconnecting with the terminal end to form a ring of a predetermined shape adjacent the one side of the cardiac valve annulus. The distal end portion further includes a mechanism for attaching to the cardiac valve annulus so that, when the ring is formed, the distal end portion contracts and thereby remodels the annulus of the cardiac valve. The apparatus can also include a second elongate flexible member for positioning on the opposite side of the native valve annulus and which may be magnetically attracted to the first flexible member in order to attach the apparatus to the valve annulus. |