disclosed herein is a detailed description of various embodiments of the present invention . this description is not to be taken in a limiting sense , but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention . the overall organization of the detailed description is for the purpose of convenience only and is not intended to limit the present invention . the mitral valve repair system of the present invention is designed for use in a surgical treatment of bodily tissue . as those skilled in the art will appreciate , the exemplary mitral valve repair system disclosed herein is designed to minimize trauma to the patient before , during , and subsequent to a minimally invasive surgical procedure while providing improved tissue stabilization and enhanced placement of a fastening device thereon . the mitral valve repair system of the present invention includes a guide catheter capable of being introduced into body of a patient and advanced to an area of interest , a therapy catheter capable of traversing or otherwise engaging the guide catheter and applying a suture to a repair site , and a fastener catheter capable of applying a fastening device to the attached suture . while the guide catheter , therapy catheter , and fastener catheter cooperatively enable a surgeon to deliver a suture to a repair site in vivo , the various components of the present invention may be used individually . for example , the therapy catheter , the fastener catheter , or both may be coupled to a guidewire and advanced to a repair site in vivo without the use of the guide catheter . the mitral valve repair system of the present invention is useful in repairing dysfunctional mitral valve tissue by stabilizing discreet valvular tissue pieces and deploying a fastening device therethrough . however , the mitral valve repair system may be used to repair tissue throughout a patient &# 39 ; s body as desired . for example , the present invention may also be used to repair arterial septal defects ( asd ), ventricular septal defects ( vsd ), and defects associated with patent foramen ovale ( pfo ). fig1 - 4 show various illustrations of the guide catheter of the present invention . as shown in fig1 , the guide catheter 10 comprises a guide body 12 having a proximal end 14 and a distal end 16 . those skilled in the art will appreciate that the guide catheter 10 of the present invention may be manufactured from a variety of materials , including , without limitation , various plastics , thermoplastics , silicones , elastomers , ceramics , composite materials , or various combinations of the aforementioned materials . in addition , the guide catheter 10 may be manufactured in various lengths and widths as desired by the user . fig2 - 4 show various embodiments of the guide catheter 10 . as shown in fig2 , the guide catheter 10 includes an outer wall 18 defining at least one internal lumen 20 . fig3 - 4 illustrate alternate embodiments wherein the outer wall 18 defines an internal lumen 20 and includes at least one directing lumen 22 formed therein . the directing lumen 22 is sized to receive a guidewire ( not shown ) or steering device ( not shown ) therein . in another embodiment , at least one flexible support structure such as a coiled wire support ( not shown ) may be embedded within the outer wall 18 of the guide catheter 10 . fig5 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the therapy catheter 30 of the present invention . as shown in fig5 , the therapy catheter 30 includes an elongated body 32 having a therapy device handle 34 located at the proximal end and a suture attachment tip 36 located at the distal end like the guide body 12 of the guide catheter 10 , the elongated body 32 may be manufactured in a variety of shape , sizes , lengths , widths , and biologically - compatible materials as desired . fig6 shows a more detailed illustration of the therapy device handle 34 of the present invention . as shown , the therapy device handle 34 comprises a handle body 38 having at least a suction connector 40 and a elongated body receiver 42 attached thereto . the suction connector 40 is capable of coupling to a vacuum source ( not shown ). the elongated body receiver 42 is capable of receiving the elongated body 32 ( fig5 ) thereon . a first actuator 44 is located within a first actuator recess 46 formed on the handle body 38 . similarly , a second actuator 48 is positioned within a second actuator recess 50 formed in the handle body 38 . as shown in fig6 , a suction actuator 52 , configured to open or close the fluid path between suction connector 40 and elongated body receiver 42 , may be located within a suction actuator recess 54 proximal to the first and second actuators 44 , 48 . fig7 - 10 show various illustrations of the elongated body 32 and the suture attachment tip 36 of the present invention . as shown in fig7 , the elongated body 32 includes a suction recess 56 having a first needle port 58 a and a second needle port 58 b located proximate thereto . the elongated body 32 or the suture attachment tip 36 may include a guidewire port 60 capable of receiving a guidewire 62 . fig8 a shows a cross sectional view of the elongated body 32 . as shown , the elongated body 32 comprises an outer wall 64 defining a suction lumen 66 . the suction lumen 66 is in fluid communication with the suction recess 56 ( fig7 ) and the vacuum source ( not shown ) attached to the suction connector 40 located on the therapy device handle 34 ( fig6 ). a first needle lumen 68 having a first needle 70 located therein may be formed in or otherwise positioned proximate to the outer wall 64 of the elongated body 32 . similarly , a second needle lumen 72 having a second needle 74 located therein may be formed in or otherwise positioned proximate to the outer wall 64 of the elongated body 32 . the first and second needles 70 , 74 are coupled to or otherwise in communication with the first and second actuators 44 , 48 located on the therapy device handle 34 ( fig6 ). the forward and rearward movement of the first and second actuators 44 , 48 results in the inner movement of the first and second needles 70 , 74 thereby permitting the first and second needles , 70 , 74 to extend from and retract into the first and second needle lumens 68 , 72 . those skilled in the art will appreciate that the first and second needles 70 , 74 may be capable of individual or simultaneous movement . a first suture lumen 76 having a first suture 78 located therein and a second suture lumen 80 having a second suture 82 located therein may be formed within or located proximate to the outer wall 64 of the elongated body 32 . of course one of skill in the art will recognize that references herein to “ sutures ” include not just traditional suture material , but also any material of sufficient length and flexibility to accomplish the purposes of this tissue repair system . in one embodiment , a guidewire lumen 84 sized to receive guidewire 62 therein may be positioned within or proximate to the outer wall 64 of the elongated body 32 and may be in communication with the guidewire port 60 formed on the suture attachment tip 36 . fig8 b - 8c show various illustrations of an alternate embodiment of the present invention , wherein an inflatable positioning balloon 252 is positioned on the outer wall 64 of the elongated body 32 . as shown , the inflatable positioning balloon 252 is in fluid communication with an inflation lumen 84 ′ positioned within the elongated body 32 . the inflation lumen 84 ′ may be in fluid communication with an inflation source in ways known to those skilled in the art and may be attached to or otherwise in communication with the therapy device handle 34 ( fig5 ), thereby permitting the position of the therapy catheter 30 to be manipulated without using a guidewire . moreover , the positioning balloon 252 can be used to hold the therapy device steady once in position . fig9 - 10 show various illustrations of the present invention prior to use . as shown , a first needle receiving port 86 a may be positioned within or proximate to the suction lumen 56 co - aligned with and opposing the first needle port 58 a . similarly , a second needle receiving port 86 b may be positioned within or proximate to the suction lumen 56 co - aligned with and opposing the second needle port 58 b . the first needle receiving port 86 a is in communication with the first suture lumen 76 and contains at least a first needle catch 88 a attached to the first suture 78 therein . likewise , the second needle receiving port 86 b is positioned proximate to the suction recess 56 opposing the second needle port 58 b . the second needle receiving port 86 b is in communication with the second suture lumen 80 and contains a second needle catch 88 b attached to the second suture 82 therein . fig1 - 12 show an embodiment of the therapy catheter of the present invention during various stages of use . as shown in fig1 , forward movement of the first actuator 44 within the first actuator recess 46 ( fig6 ) results in the first needle 70 advancing through the first needle port 58 a and traversing the suction recess 56 . continued actuation of the first actuator 44 results in the first needle 70 advancing through the first needle receiving port 86 a and engaging the first needle catch 88 a positioned within the first suture lumen 76 . the first needle catch 88 a engages and is retained on the first needle 70 . the user may then retract the first needle 70 , thereby pulling the first suture across the suture recess 56 . to retract the first needle 70 , the user rearwardly moves the first actuator 44 . as shown in fig1 , the first needle 70 having the first needle catch 88 a attached thereto is retracted through the first needle receiving port 86 a , traverses the suction recess 56 , and enters the first needle lumen 68 through the first needle port 58 a . fig1 shows the first suture 78 traversing the suction recess 56 . similarly , as shown in fig1 , forward movement of the second actuator 48 ( fig6 ) results in the second needle 74 advancing through exiting the second needle port 58 b and traversing the suction recess 56 . like the actuation process described above , the continued actuation of the second actuator 48 results in the second needle 74 advancing through the second needle receiving port 86 b and engaging the second needle catch 88 b positioned within the second suture lumen 80 . the second needle catch 88 b is then engaged and retained on the second needle 74 . thereafter , the user may retract the second needle 74 thereby pulling the second suture across suture recess second needle port 58 b . to retract the second needle 74 , the user rearwardly moves the second actuator 48 . as shown in fig1 , the second needle 74 having the second needle catch 88 b attached thereto is retracted through the second needle receiving port 86 b , traverses the suction recess 56 , and enters the second needle lumen 72 through the second needle port 58 b . the second suture 82 , which is attached to the second needle catch 88 b , thus traverses the suction recess 56 . fig1 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present invention . as shown , the elongated body 32 includes a suction recess 90 formed thereon which is in fluid communication with a suction lumen 92 formed therein which in turn is in communication with a vacuum source ( not shown ) attached to the suction connector 40 ( fig6 ). first and second needle ports 94 a , 94 b , respectively , are positioned within or proximate to the suction recess 90 . similarly , first and second needle receiving ports 96 a , 96 b , respectively , are positioned within or proximate to the suction recess 90 and are co - aligned with and opposed to the first and second needle ports 94 a , 94 b . the first needle port 94 a communicates with a first needle lumen 98 . a first deployment rod 100 having a first detachable needle 102 attached thereto is located within the first needle lumen 98 . the first detachable needle 102 is coupled to a first suture 104 located within the first needle lumen 98 . similarly , the second needle port 94 b communicates with a second needle lumen 106 . a second deployment rod 108 having a second detachable needle 110 attached thereto is located within the second needle lumen 106 . the second detachable needle 110 is coupled to a second suture 112 located within the second needle lumen 106 . the first needle receiving port 96 a leads to a first needle trap lumen 114 a formed in or positioned proximate to suction recess 90 . a first needle trap 116 a capable of receiving and retaining the first detachable needle 102 therein is positioned within the first needle trap lumen 114 a . similarly , the second needle receiving port 96 b leads to a second needle trap lumen 114 b formed in or positioned proximate to the suction recess 90 . like the first needle trap 116 a , a second needle trap 116 b capable of receiving and retaining the second detachable needle 110 therein is positioned within the second needle trap lumen 114 b . fig1 - 18 show the embodiment of fig1 during use . forward movement of the first actuator 44 results in first needle rod 100 extending from first needle lumen 98 . fig1 shows the first needle rod 100 with a first detachable needle 102 attached thereto extended through the first needle port 94 a traversing the suction recess 90 , and entering into the first needle trap lumen 114 a through the first needle receiving port 96 a . the first detachable needle then engages the first needle trap 116 a . thereafter , the first needle rod 100 is retracted into the first needle lumen 98 , thereby leaving first detachable needle 102 in first needle trap 116 a . to retract the first needle rod 100 , the user moves the first actuator 44 a rearward direction which causes the first needle rod 100 to retract into the first needle lumen 98 . fig1 shows the first needle rod 100 retracted into the first needle lumen 98 . as a result , the first suture 104 which is attached to the first detachable needle 102 traverses the suction recess 90 . those skilled in the art will appreciate that a second needle ( not shown ) may be deployed in a similar manner . fig1 - 21 show various illustrations of the fastener catheter of the present invention . as shown in fig1 , the fastener catheter 130 comprises a fastener catheter body 132 having a fastener catheter handle 134 attached at the proximal end and a fastening tip 136 at the distal end . the fastener catheter 130 may be manufactured in a variety of shapes , sizes , lengths , widths , and biologically - compatible materials as desired . fig2 shows a more detailed illustration of a preferred fastener catheter handle 134 of the present invention . as shown , the fastener catheter handle 134 comprises a fastener handle body 138 having an auxiliary connector 140 and a fastener body receiver 142 attached thereto . the auxiliary connector 140 may be capable of coupling to a variety of devices including , for example , a vacuum source or a visualization device . the fastener body connector 142 is capable of receiving and coupling to the fastener catheter body 132 ( fig1 ). a fastener actuator 144 may be positioned within a fastener actuator recess 146 formed on the fastener handle body 138 . the fastener actuator 144 positioned within the fastener actuator recess 146 may be capable of being positioned in three distinct locations . for example , in a non - actuated condition , the fastener actuator 144 may be located in a first position 148 . thereafter , the user may partially actuate the fastener catheter 130 by positioning the fastener actuator 144 in a second position 150 , thereby deploying a fastening device ( not shown ) from the fastener catheter 130 ( fig1 ). the user may then fully actuate the fastener catheter 130 by moving the fastener actuator 144 to a third position 152 within the fastener actuator recess 146 , thereby actuating a cutting member ( discussed below ) located on or proximate to the fastening tip 136 . fig2 a and 21 b illustrate , in exploded fashion , pieces of fastening tip 136 . an inner body 154 includes a suture recess 160 formed in the side thereof , which in turn is in communication with an internal fastener lumen 158 . inner body 154 also includes a pin 162 extending radially outward therefrom . sleeve 156 comprises an axial deployment lumen 166 of sufficient diameter to receive inner body 154 therein . sleeve 156 also comprises a cutting recess 168 formed in an axial side thereof and a cutting member 170 on a proximal edge of cutting recess 168 . slot 172 extends parallel to the axis of the deployment lumen 166 and may extend radially through to fastener lumen . pin recess 172 receives pin 162 in sliding relation . fig2 - 24 illustrate fastener 180 of the present invention . fastener 180 may be manufactured from a variety of materials including , for example , nickel - titanium alloys , shape - memory alloys , stainless steel , titanium , various plastics , and other biologically - compatible materials . fastener 180 has a main body 182 with an internal lumen 188 extending axially therethrough and one or more engagement member ( s ) 184 formed on an end thereof . between the engagement members is defined engagement aperture 186 which is in communication with attachment lumen 188 . attachment lumen 188 and engagement aperture 186 are sized to receive a first suture lead 176 a and a second suture lead 176 b therein . prior to deployment , engagement member ( s ) 184 are deflected radially away from the axis of the fastener 180 such that engagement aperture 186 has a relative large first diameter sufficient to permit suture leads 176 a and 176 b to slide therethrough . upon deployment , i . e . after the suture leads 176 a and 176 b have been retracted , engagement members 184 are deflected or permitted to spring back toward the axis of the device such that the engagement aperture 186 assumes a second smaller diameter compressing and securing suture leads 176 a and 176 b in place . preferably the engagement member ( s ) 184 tend to spring toward a natural position at the axis of fastener 180 . fig2 shows the fastener 180 in the deployed configuration in which a suture loop 178 has passed through two discreet tissue portions 200 a , 200 b and suture leads 176 a , 176 b are secured in fastener 180 . each engagement member ( s ) 184 may further include a pointed tip 190 which , when the engagement member ( s ) are in the deployed position , engages and further restricts movement of the suture leads 176 a , 176 b . an operational fastening tip 136 with fastener 180 attached thereto and ready for deployment can be seen in fig2 . inner body 154 has been placed inside sleeve 156 such that suture recess 160 is in alignment with cutting recess 168 . pin 172 is in slidable communication with slot 162 thereby permitting relative linear motion , but preventing relative rotational motion , between inner body 154 and sleeve 156 . fastener 180 has been placed on the end of the fastening tip 136 by deflecting the engagement members 184 radially outward until they can be placed around the outer circumference of the inner body 154 . accordingly , the fastener is secured to the end of inner body 154 by means of the frictional engagement between the engagement members 184 and the outer surface of inner body 154 . suture loop 178 extends from the fastener 180 . suture leads 176 a and 176 b extend through the lumen 188 , through engagement aperture 186 , exit the side of inner body 154 through suture recess 160 , and exit the side of sleeve 156 through cutting recess 168 . deployment of the fastener is a two step process . once suture 178 has been secured through one or more tissue segments , the fastener tip 136 is coaxed toward the tissue and the suture leads 176 a and 176 b are pulled away from the tissue until the suture loop is sufficiently cinched around the target tissue . sleeve 156 is then held in place adjacent the tissue while the inner body 154 is pulled axially away . this causes sleeve 156 to push ( i . e . slide ) fastener 180 off the outer surface of the inner body 154 . when fastener 180 has been completely removed from inner body 154 engagement members 184 spring axially inward thereby reducing the diameter of engagement aperture 186 and securing suture leads 176 a and 176 b . the second deployment step , cutting suture leads 176 a and 176 b , is accomplished when the inner body 154 is pulled sufficiently through sleeve 156 that the suture leads are pinched between the trailing edge of suture recess 160 and cutting member 170 and ultimately cut by cutting member 170 . remote deployment of fastener 180 is accomplished by attaching inner body 154 to fastener actuator 144 , and attaching sleeve 156 to the fastener catheter handle 134 . thus , axial movement of the fastener actuator 144 relative to the handle 134 causes similar relative movement between inner body 154 and sleeve 156 . for example , in the non - actuated position 148 ( see fig2 ) the distal end of inner body 154 will extend from sleeve 156 a sufficient distance to hold fastener 180 thereon . in the second position 150 the inner body 154 will have been withdrawn into sleeve 156 a sufficient distance to deploy the fastener 180 , and in the third position 152 the inner body 154 will have been withdrawn a sufficient distance to cut the suture leads 176 a and 176 b . the present invention also discloses various methods of using the disclose mitral valve repair system to repair discreet tissue portions in vivo . the following paragraphs describe methods of repairing a dysfunctional mitral valve , though those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention and procedure may be adapted for use on other valves or in other procedures requiring the attachment of two or more pieces of tissue . to repair a dysfunctional or otherwise incompetent heart valve , a guidewire capable of traversing the circulatory system and entering the heart of the patient is introduced into the patient through an endoluminal entry point . for example , the endoluminal entry point may be formed in a femoral vein or right jugular vein . thereafter , the guidewire is advanced through the circulatory system , eventually arriving at the heart . the guidewire is directed into the right atrium , traverses the right atrium and is made to puncture with the aid of a tran - septal needle or pre - existing hole , the atrial septum , thereby entering the left atrium . as shown in fig2 , the guidewire 220 may then be advanced through the mitral valve 222 and into the left ventricle 226 . the guidewire 220 traverses the aortic valve 228 into the aorta 230 and is made to emerge at the left femoral artery through an endoluminal exit point . once the guidewire 220 is positioned , the endoluminal entry or exit port is dilated to permit entry of a catheter therethrough . a protective sheath may be advanced in the venous area to protect the vascular structure . as shown in fig2 , the guide catheter 10 of the present invention may be attached to the guidewire 220 and advanced through the dilated guidewire entry port to a point proximate to the mitral valve 222 . those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mitral valve repair system of the present invention may approach the mitral valve from an antegrade position or from a retrograde position as desired by the user . once the guide catheter is suitably positioned in the heart , the therapy catheter 30 may be advanced through the guide catheter 10 to a position proximate to the mitral valve 222 . fig2 shows the therapy catheter 30 emerging from the guide catheter 10 proximate to the mitral valve 222 . thereafter , the user may actuate the suction actuator 52 located on the handle body 38 of the therapy device handle 34 ( fig6 ). as a result , a suction force is applied from the suction recess 56 formed on the suture attachment tip 36 of the therapy catheter 30 ( fig7 ) to the tissue located proximate thereto . as shown in fig2 , a first valve leaflet 240 a is engaged and retained by the suction force applied through the suction recess 56 . with the first valve leaflet 240 a stabilized , the user may apply a suture 242 a thereto as described above . to apply the first suture to the first valve leaflet 240 a , the user actuates the first actuator 44 located on the therapy device handle 34 , which results in the first needle 70 advancing through the first valve leaflet 240 a and engaging and retaining the first needle catch 88 a , thereby applying a first suture 242 a to the tissue ( fig6 - 7 ). thereafter , the user may terminate application of suction force to the first valve leaflet 240 a thereby releasing the sutured tissue . fig2 shows the first valve leaflet 240 a having a first suture 242 a applied thereto . as shown in fig3 , the therapy catheter 30 may then be rotated and positioned to engage a second valve leaflet 240 b . once again , the user may actuate the suction actuator 52 to apply suction force to the second valve leaflet 240 b through the suction recess 56 . with the second valve leaflet 240 b stabilized as shown in fig3 , the user may apply a suture 242 b thereto by actuating the second actuator 48 located on the therapy device handle 34 , which results in the second needle 74 advancing through the second valve leaflet 240 b and engaging and retaining the second needle catch 88 b , thereby applying a second suture 242 b to the tissue . as shown in fig3 , the user may terminate the application of suction to the stabilized tissue and remove the therapy catheter from the patient , thereby leaving the first and second sutures 242 a , 242 b attached to the first and second valve leaflets 240 a , 240 b . note that first and second sutures 242 a and 242 b are actually portions of the same suture such that when the therapy catheter is removed there is a single suture loop through the valve leaflets 240 a and 240 b . as shown in fig3 - 33 , the fastener catheter 130 may be attached to the guidewire 220 and will be attached to first and second sutures 242 a , 242 b . thereafter , the fastener catheter 130 may be inserted into the guide catheter 10 and advanced to a position proximate to the mitral valve 222 . the user then draws the first and second sutures 242 a , 242 b taut while advancing the fastener catheter 130 to the mitral valve 22 , thereby decreasing the distance between the first and second valve leaflets 240 a , 240 b . the user then actuates the fastener actuator 144 which causes the sleeve 156 to engage and apply the fastener 180 to the first and second sutures 242 a , 242 b adjacent the leaflets , as described above . continued actuation of the fastener actuator 144 causes the cutting member 170 to engage and cut the first and second sutures 242 a , 242 b . as shown in fig3 , after the fastener catheter 130 , the guide catheter 10 , and the guidewire 220 are removed from the patient , the fastener 180 remains applied to the mitral valve 222 . fig3 - 44 describe an alternate method of repairing tissue , specifically valve leaflets in this embodiment , in vivo . as shown in fig3 - 37 , a guide catheter 10 is advanced through the circulatory system to the right atrium of the heart . once positioned , a dilator 250 is advanced through the guide catheter 10 and is made to puncture the atrial septum , thereby entering the left atrium . thereafter , the guide catheter 10 is advanced into the left atrium through the punctured atrial septum and positioned proximate to the mitral valve 222 . as shown in fig3 , the therapy catheter 30 may be inserted into the guide catheter 10 and advanced to a position proximate to the mitral valve 222 . as shown in fig3 , an inflatable positioning balloon 252 ( discussed above ) located on the therapy catheter 30 is inflated to orient and steady the catheter . the suction actuator 52 on the therapy device handle 34 is then actuated to apply a suction force to the suction recess 56 ( see . fig6 ). the inflated balloon 252 engages the second valve leaflet 240 b which forces the suction recess 56 towards the first valve leaflet 240 a , thereby resulting in the stabilization of the first valve leaflet 240 a as shown in fig4 . as shown in fig4 , the user may then apply the first suture 242 a to the first valve leaflet 240 a as described above . once the suture is applied , the user may deflate the inflatable positioning balloon 252 and rotates the therapy catheter 30 approximately 180 °. thereafter , the user inflates the positioning balloon 252 and actuates suction actuator 52 to apply a suction force to the suction recess 56 . as shown in fig4 , the inflatable positioning balloon 252 is again inflated and made to engage the first valve leaflet 240 thereby forcing the suction recess 56 to engage the second valve leaflet 240 b and permitting the stabilization of the second valve leaflet 240 b as shown in fig4 . thereafter , the user applies the second suture 242 b to the second valve leaflet 240 b as described above . fig4 - 44 show the first and second valve leaflets 240 a , 240 b having a first and second suture 242 a , 242 b applied thereto . thereafter , the therapy catheter 30 is removed from the patient &# 39 ; s body and the fastener catheter 130 is used to apply a fastener to the first and second sutures 242 a , 242 b as described above . in closing , it is understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are illustrative of the principals of the invention . other modifications may be employed which remain within the scope of the present invention . accordingly , the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and described in this disclosure .
the present invention is various systems for repairing tissue within the heart of a patient . the system of the present invention includes a guide catheter , a therapy catheter , and a fastener catheter . the therapy catheter and the fastener catheter are capable of traversing the internal lumen of the guide catheter . the fastener catheter is capable of introducing a suture clip to a desired position along suture line , deploying the suture clip to secure the suture and cutting excess suture . in addition , the present invention discloses various methods for repairing tissue .