Supporting a heart
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A heart support system comprising:
- a heart shaped cup including;
a self-expanding sheath sized to fit about an apex and at least a portion of ventricles of a heart in a living body, wherein the self-expanding sheath comprises an internal contour that corresponds to a natural outer contour of the heart according to a scaling factor within a range of 1.01 to 1.2, wherein the outer contour of the heart is scaled by the scaling factor to obtain the inner contour of the self-expanding sheath,a left expandable unit assembly configured to selectively apply pressure to a left ventricle of the heart via hydraulic or pneumatic actuation, anda right expandable unit assembly configured to selectively apply pressure to a right ventricle of the heart via hydraulic or pneumatic actuation,wherein the left and right expandable unit assemblies are arranged asymmetrically around the heart; and
a plurality of discrete markings arranged on the heart shaped cup, whereinthe plurality of discrete markings is detectable from outside the body with the sheath implanted within the body, andthe plurality of discrete markings is disposed in a spaced arrangement corresponding to predetermined anatomical points of reference configured to aid in proper positioning of the heart shaped cup.
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Abstract
A heart support system featuring a sleeve sized to fit about at least a portion of an adult human heart in a living body, the sleeve having an inner surface arranged to contact the heart in use and a sheath extending about and constraining the sleeve. At least one of the sheath and sleeve carry a discrete mark detectable from outside the body with the sheath and sleeve implanted within the body. The position of the support system about the heart can be determined with reference to the mark.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A heart support system comprising:
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a heart shaped cup including; a self-expanding sheath sized to fit about an apex and at least a portion of ventricles of a heart in a living body, wherein the self-expanding sheath comprises an internal contour that corresponds to a natural outer contour of the heart according to a scaling factor within a range of 1.01 to 1.2, wherein the outer contour of the heart is scaled by the scaling factor to obtain the inner contour of the self-expanding sheath, a left expandable unit assembly configured to selectively apply pressure to a left ventricle of the heart via hydraulic or pneumatic actuation, and a right expandable unit assembly configured to selectively apply pressure to a right ventricle of the heart via hydraulic or pneumatic actuation, wherein the left and right expandable unit assemblies are arranged asymmetrically around the heart; and a plurality of discrete markings arranged on the heart shaped cup, wherein the plurality of discrete markings is detectable from outside the body with the sheath implanted within the body, and the plurality of discrete markings is disposed in a spaced arrangement corresponding to predetermined anatomical points of reference configured to aid in proper positioning of the heart shaped cup. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A heart support system comprising:
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a geometrically customized heart support apparatus, including; a self-expanding sheath having a contour customized to a particular patient and sized to fit about an apex and at least a portion of ventricles of a heart in a living body, wherein the self-expanding sheath-has an inner contour configured to correspond to a natural outer contour of the heart according to a scaling factor within a range of 1.01 to 1.2, wherein the outer contour of the heart is scaled by the scaling factor to obtain the inner contour of the self-expanding sheath, a plurality of expandable units configured to selectively apply pressure to different regions of the heart via hydraulic or pneumatic actuation, wherein the expandable units are configured to be spaced apart about a periphery of the heart, and a plurality of discrete markings applied to the self-expanding sheath for facilitating placement of the heart support system, wherein each of the plurality of discrete markings is composed of a material detectable via an imaging technique while implanted in the living body, and the plurality of discrete markings is disposed in a spaced arrangement corresponding to predetermined anatomical points of reference configured to facilitate correct placement of the heart support system; and an implantation delivery device for implanting the heart support system in the living body in a minimally invasive procedure, wherein the heart support system is collapsible to fit within a delivery lumen of the implantation delivery device. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A heart support system comprising:
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a heart support apparatus comprising; a self-expanding sheath configured to fit about an apex and at least a portion of ventricles of a heart in a living body, the self-expanding sheath having an internal contour that corresponds to a natural contour of the heart according to a scaling factor within a range of 1.01 to 1.2, wherein the outer contour of the heart is scaled by the scaling factor to obtain the inner contour of the self-expanding sheath, a plurality of expandable chambers independently configured to selectively apply pressure to different regions of the heart via hydraulic or pneumatic actuation, each expandable chamber being disposed at least in part on the self-expanding sheath, wherein the plurality of expandable chambers is configured to be spaced apart about a periphery of the heart, a sensor configured to be positioned in electrical communication with the heart, wherein the sensor is electrically responsive to a heart parameter, and a plurality of markings disposed in a spaced arrangement upon the heart support apparatus corresponding to predetermined anatomical points of reference, wherein the plurality of markings are each configured for detection via an imaging technique during implantation of the heart support apparatus to support proper orientation of the heart support apparatus around the heart, wherein the heart support apparatus is configured to be implanted in a minimally invasive procedure, wherein the heart support apparatus is collapsible and in a collapsed state for implanting; at least one conduit in fluid communication with at least a first expandable chamber of the plurality of expandable chambers; and a supply unit configured to control supply of the fluid to the plurality of expandable chambers, wherein the plurality of expandable chambers are configured to expand towards the heart in coordination with a natural pumping function of the heart to support heart function. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification