| 摘要 |
<p>Apparatus and methods are provided for thermally or mechanically treating tissue, such as valvular structures, to reconfigure or shrink the tissue in a controlled manner, thereby improving or restoring tissue function. The apparatus includes a catheter (32) with an end effector (34). The end effector may induce a temperature rise in an annulus of tissue surrounding the leaflets of the valve sufficient to cause shrinkage of the tissue, thereby reducing a diameter of the annulus and causing the valves to close more tightly. Or the end effector may selectively induce a temperature rise in the chordae tendineae to cause a controlled degree of shortening, thereby enabling the valve leaflets to be properly aligned. Or additionally, the end effector may be configured to mechanically shorten the effective length of the chordae tendineae by forcing the tendineae through a tortuous path, again properly aligning the valve leaflets.</p> |
