| abstract |
A system and method for treating a dilated heart valve by elongating a papillary muscle. The system comprises a delivery catheter 110 and a holding catheter 130 . The system further comprises a muscle elongation device 200 including at least two clamping rings 210, 215 slidably connected by at least one connecting rod 220 . The muscle elongation device 200 is delivered to a papillary muscle 560 associated with the dilated heart valve, where it is released from the delivery catheter 110 and the clamping rings 210, 215 wrap about and engage the papillary muscle. The muscle tissue is cut between the clamping rings 210, 215 , which then move away from each other to a predetermined position, thus permitting the papillary muscle to elongate. |