| abstract |
A medical device ( 1210 ) comprises a generally cylindrical treatment element ( 1220 ) for location between a pair of valve leaflets ( 1212 ) situated between an atrium ( 1214 ) and a ventricle ( 1216 ) of a heart. The treatment element ( 1220 ) supports the valve leaflets ( 1212 ) at the region of co-aptation of the valve leaflets ( 1212 ) and occludes the valve opening to resist fluid flow in the retrograde direction through the valve opening. The device ( 1210 ) comprises a support ( 1222 ) to support the treatment element ( 1210 ) at the region of co-aptation of the valve leaflets ( 1212 ). The support has an anchor ( 1224 ) and a tether ( 1226 ), the tether ( 1226 ) being provided at the end of a guide wire ( 1228 ) which is initially utilised in the percutaneous insertion of the treatment element ( 1220 ). The anchor ( 1224 ) is secured, in use, to a septal wall ( 1230 ), while the guide wire ( 1228 ) exits the atrium ( 1214 ) through a vein adjacent a rear wall ( 1224 ) thereof. The treatment element ( 1220 ) includes a remotely actuatable clamp therein, in order to allow the treatment element ( 1220 ) to be secured to the guide wire ( 1228 ) or the tether ( 1226 ). |