CPC A61F 2/2445 (2013.01) [A61B 17/0401 (2013.01); A61B 17/068 (2013.01); A61F 2/2412 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00323 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00477 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00783 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0409 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0441 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0446 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0496 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0649 (2013.01); A61B 2090/064 (2016.02); A61B 2090/3966 (2016.02); A61F 2/2466 (2013.01); A61F 2250/0004 (2013.01); A61F 2250/001 (2013.01)] | 14 Claims |
1. A method for use with a heart of a subject, the heart having a valve and an atrium upstream of the valve, the method comprising:
using a driver, transluminally advancing, via a catheter, to the atrium, a first tissue anchor coupled to the driver:
using the driver, securing a portion of an elongate contraction member to an annulus of the valve by anchoring the first tissue anchor to the annulus while successive portions of the elongate contraction member remain disposed within the catheter;
subsequently, securing the elongate contraction member at least partly around the annulus by:
feeding the successive portions of the elongate contraction member out of the catheter into the atrium, and
using the driver, advancing further tissue anchors in the atrium and securing the successive portions to the annulus by anchoring the further tissue anchors to the annulus, such that the first tissue anchor and the further tissue anchors are distributed along the elongate contraction member;
subsequently, contracting the annulus by applying tension to the elongate contraction member, such that a radiopaque indicator including a volute spring that is disposed within the heart and that is coupled to the contraction member undergoes a conformational change in response to the tension;
observing the conformational change of the radiopaque indicator within the heart; and
adjusting the tension responsively to the observed conformational change.
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