Apparatus and methods are provided for thermally and/or mechanically
treating tissue, such as valvular structures, to reconfigure or shrink
the tissue in a controlled manner. The apparatus comprises a catheter in
communication with an end effector which induces a temperature rise in an
annulus of tissue surrounding the leaflets of a valve or in the chordae
tendineae sufficient to cause shrinkage, thereby causing the valves to
close more tightly. Mechanical clips can also be implanted over the valve
either alone or after the thermal treatment. The clips are delivered by a
catheter and may be configured to traverse directly over the valve itself
or to lie partially over the periphery of the valve to prevent
obstruction of the valve channel. The clips can be coated with drugs or a
radiopaque coating. The catheter can also incorporate sensors or energy
delivery devices, e.g., transducers, on its distal end.