DEFLECTING GUIDE CATHETER FOR USE IN A MINIMALLY INVASIVE MEDICAL PROCEDURE FOR THE TREATMENT OF MITRAL VALVE REGURGITATION

摘要

A deflecting guide catheter for use in minimally invasive medical procedure such as the treatment of mitral valve regurgitation by reshaping the mitral valve annulus using one or more plications of annular or adjacent tissue each fixed by a retainer is described. The catheter includes an elongated tubular portion having various durometers along its length and at least one puller wire attached to an anchor band near the distal end. The deflecting guide catheter is used to provide a means for guiding a plication device or other medical instrument into a desired position within the vasculature or heart chambers of a patient.