METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING CATHETER-BASED ANNULOPLASTY USING LOCAL PLICATIONS

摘要

The present invention relates to a system for performing minimally invasive annuloplasty on the mitral valve of a heart. A catheter has a tip constructed and arranged to access a left ventricle of the heart. An anchor arrangement temporarily anchors the tip of the catheter to tissue near the mitral valve. At least first and second plication elements include first and second tails respectively, and a locking element is adapted to be received over the first tail and over the second tail. The anchor arrangement may substantially pass through the tissue near the mitral valve and the tip of the catheter may be deflectable.