Abstract: A tissue shaping device adapted to be deployed in a vessel to reshape tissue adjacent to the vessel. In some embodiments the device includes a distal anchor having a flexible wire with at least one bending point and first and second arms extending from the bending point, the first and second arms being adapted to deform about the bending point; a proximal anchor having a flexible wire with at least one bending point and first and second arms extending from the bending point, the first and second arms being adapted to deform about the bending point; and a connector disposed between the distal anchor and the proximal anchor.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method of treating mitral valve regurgitation in a patient. The method includes the steps of delivering a tissue shaping device to the patient's coronary sinus in an unexpanded configuration within a catheter having an outer diameter no more than nine or ten french, with the tissue shaping device including a connector disposed between a distal expandable anchor comprising flexible wire and a proximal expandable anchor comprising flexible wire, the device having a length of 60 mm or less; and deploying the device to reduce mitral valve regurgitation, such as by anchoring the distal expandable anchor by placing the distal expandable anchor flexible wire in contact with a wall of the coronary sinus, e.g., by permitting the distal expandable anchor to self-expand or by applying an actuating force to the distal expandable anchor and possibly locking the distal expandable anchor after performing the applying step. The invention also includes a device for performing the method.

Abstract: A tissue shaping device adapted to be disposed in a vessel near a patient's heart to reshape the patient's heart. The tissue shaping device includes a proximal anchor, a distal anchor, and a connector disposed between the proximal anchor and the distal anchor, the connector having a moment of inertia that varies along its length, such as by varying the connector thickness as a function of distance from one of its ends, with the smallest thickness being in the central portion of the connector.

Abstract: A method of treating regurgitation of a mitral valve in a patient's heart. The method includes the steps of: delivering a tissue shaping device to the coronary sinus; and deploying the tissue shaping device to reduce mitral valve regurgitation, the deploying step comprising applying a force through the coronary sinus wall toward the mitral valve solely proximal to a crossover point where a coronary artery passes between a coronary sinus and the mitral valve. The invention is also a set of devices for use in treating mitral valve regurgitation. The set includes a plurality of tissue shaping devices having different lengths, each of the tissue shaping devices being configured to be deliverable to a coronary sinus of a patient within a catheter having an outer diameter no greater than ten french.

Abstract: An intravascular support device includes a support or reshaper wire, a proximal anchor and a distal anchor. The support wire engages a vessel wall to change the shape of tissue adjacent the vessel in which the intravascular support is placed. The anchors and support wire are designed such that the vessel in which the support is placed remains open and can be accessed by other devices if necessary. The device provides a minimal metal surface area to blood flowing within the vessel to limit the creation of thrombosis. The anchors can be locked in place to secure the support within the vessel.

Abstract: A tissue shaping device adapted to be disposed in a vessel near a patient's heart to reshape the patient's heart. In one embodiment, the tissue shaping device includes an expandable anchor adapted to contact a wall of the vessel with radially outward force, with the anchor including an expansion energy absorbing element, such as a bending point in a flexible wire anchor. The invention also includes a method of deploying a tissue shaping device in a vessel, in which the tissue shaping device includes an anchor and an expansion energy absorbing element. The method includes the steps of delivering the tissue shaping device to a treatment location within the vessel, expanding the anchor with anchor expansion energy to place a radially outward force on a wall of the vessel, and absorbing at least a portion of the expansion energy in the expansion energy absorbing element.