Apparatus, comprising: (i) a catheter (64); (ii) an implant (100), comprising a flexible longitudinal member (102), and a linking member (104) that extends from a first linking site (106a) of the longitudinal member to a second linking site (106b) of the longitudinal member, the implant having: (a) a delivery state in which the longitudinal member is coaxial with the catheter, and at least a portion of the linking member is disposed alongside the longitudinal member, and (b) an implanted state in which a first distance between the first linking site and the second linking site, measured along the longitudinal member, is greater than a second distance between the first linking site and the second linking site, measured along the linking member; and (iii) a plurality of tissue anchors (46), slidable through the catheter and with respect to the longitudinal member. Other embodiments are also described.

A device for improving the function of a heart valve comprises: a support member formed from a shape memory material, and a restraining member providing a restraining action on a course of the support member. The support member may abut one side of the valve conforming to the shape of the valve annulus upon said shape memory material assuming an activated shape while the restraining member restrains the course of the support member. The restraining action is removable for allowing the support member to assume a desired, altered course. The restraining member may be biodegradable to be degraded within a patient or may be detachable from the support member to be withdrawn. The support member according to another embodiment presents a shape change in that an increased cross-section is associated with a shortened length of the support member. The support member according to yet another embodiment has a first and a second activated shape.

A medical apparatus positionable in a cavity of a bodily organ (e.g., a heart) may constrict a bodily orifice (e.g., a mitral valve). The medical apparatus may include tissue anchors that are implanted in the annulus of the orifice. The tissue anchors may be guided into position by an intravascularly or percutaneously deployed anchor guiding frame. Constriction of the orifice may be accomplished by cinching a flexible cable attached to implanted tissue anchors. The medical device may be used to approximate the septal and lateral (clinically referred to as anterior and posterior) annulus of the mitral valve in order to move the posterior leaflet anteriorly and the anterior leaflet posteriorly and thereby improve leaflet coaptation and eliminate mitral regurgitation.

Apparatus and methods are provided for use with a mitral valve of a heart of a subject. The apparatus includes a P1-anchor, a P2-anchor, and a P3-anchor, that are anchored to tissue in a vicinity of, respectively, P1, P2 and P3 segments of a posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, a tether being fixedly coupled to the P2-anchor, and slidably coupled to the P1 and P3 anchors. A cardiac-site anchor anchors the tether to an anchoring location that is at a cardiac site that is anterior and inferior to the posterior leaflet. Other embodiments are also described.

A vascular device having a plurality of struts having a distal portion and a proximal portion. The distal portion of the struts are retained in a converged position. The struts diverge radially outwardly. A plurality of vessel penetrating members extend from the proximal portion of the struts for engaging the internal wall of the vessel, wherein release of the retention of the distal portions of the struts causes the distal portions to move outwardly away from the longitudinal axis and the proximal portions of the struts to move inwardly toward the longitudinal axis such that the vessel engaging members pull the internal wall of the vessel radially inwardly.

An implantable device system includes an implantable device, such as an annuloplasty ring, for controlling at least a shape and/or size of a heart valve annulus. The implantable device includes an arcuate body and an adjustment system configured to adjust the shape and/or size of the arcuate body. An adjustment tool is configured to be coupled to the adjustment system so that the adjustment tool can be used to activate and control adjustment of the arcuate body. A sensor system is configured to be coupled to the implantable device. The sensor system includes a first sensor configured to measure physiological data at an inflow portion of the valve annulus when the implantable device is implanted into the valve annulus, and a second sensor configured to measure physiological data at an outflow portion of the valve annulus when the implantable device is implanted into the valve annulus.

Methods, devices and systems for anchoring and/or sealing a heart valve prosthesis and, in particular, a mitral valve prosthesis (202). Inflatable elements (204, 206) are used to seal and anchor the mitral valve prosthesis (202) and/or other elements associated with repairing a native mitral valve.

A heart valve stent having a section with a heart valve implant and several proximally disposed tissue anchors, also comprising a plurality of anchoring threats, each with a proximate end fastened to the stent or valve and a distal end attached to tissue within a heart chamber to provide tension between the heart chamber tissue and the stent.

A tricuspid valve prosthesis includes a stent body implanted at a tricuspid valve annulus for supporting a prosthetic valve leaflet, and an anchoring structure disposed above the stent body for anchoring the stent body at a native valve annulus for preventing the stent body from displacing, wherein the anchoring structure is configured to be partially attached to a fossa ovalis of an interatrial septum to form a retention force by being attached to the fossa ovalis so that an anchoring effect on the valve prosthesis is achieved.

Devices and methods provide enhanced treatment of a cardiac valve annulus. Methods generally involve contacting an anchor delivery device with the valve annulus and releasing a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the annulus. Anchors, which in some embodiments are super-elastic or shape memory self-securing anchors, are then drawn together to tighten the annulus. Devices generally include an elongate catheter having a housing at or near the distal end for releasably housing a plurality of coupled anchors. The housing may be flexible, may conform to a valve annulus, and in some embodiments may be coupled with an expandable member to enhance contact of the housing with annular tissue. In one embodiment, self-securing anchors lie approximately flat within the delivery device housing, allowing anchors with relatively large deployed shapes to be housed in and deployed from a relatively narrow delivery device.