Cardiac harness for treating heart disease

• US 20070055310A1
• Filed: 11/01/2006
• Published: 03/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lilip Lau
• Original Assignee: Lilip Lau
• Inventors: Lau, Lilip
• Application Number:
  US11/591,329
• Publication Number:
  US 20070055310A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/5
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2481 Devices outside the heart wall, e.g. bags, strips or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/2484 Delivery devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0587 Epicardial electrode systems; Endocardial electrodes piercing the pericardium
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators

Abstract

A system for treating the heart includes a cardiac harness associated with a cardiac rhythm management devise which does not have a lead system. The cardiac harness applies a compressive force on the heart during diastole and systole, and the cardiac rhythm management devise will deliver an electrical shock to the heart for defibrillation and/or can be used for pacing/sensing. The cardiac harness and cardiac rhythm management devise are both delivered and implanted by minimally invasive access.

Claims

1-12. -12. (canceled)

13. A system for treating the heart, comprising:

a cardiac harness configured to conform generally to at least a portion of a heart; and

a leadless defibrillator having a housing containing a source of electrical energy, a capacitor, and heart rhythm sensing circuitry, and the leadless defibrillator includes at least a pair of electrodes disposed on the housing and electrically interfaced to the circuitry.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the leadless defibrillator includes at least one sensing electrode disposed on the housing and electrically insulated from the housing and electrically interfaced to the circuitry.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the pair of electrodes are disposed on opposite ends of the housing to deliver therapy to the heart.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the cardiac harness is coated with a dielectric material.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the cardiac harness includes undulating strands that are interconnected.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the cardiac harness includes a plurality of engaging elements to provide a gripping force between the cardiac harness and the outer surface of the heart.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the leadless defibrillator senses electrical signals from the heart and provides a defibrillating shock through the cardiac harness and through the heart.

20-24. -24. (canceled)