METHODS OF USING PERICARDIAL INSERTS

• US 20080275295A1
• Filed: 07/12/2007
• Published: 11/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michael Gertner
• Original Assignee: Michael Gertner
• Inventors: Gertner, Michael
• Application Number:
  US11/777,262
• Publication Number:
  US 20080275295A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2481 Devices outside the heart wall, e.g. bags, strips or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0587 Epicardial electrode systems; Endocardial electrodes piercing the pericardium

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods are provided which are capable of applying pressure and constraint to the heart and use the pericardium to assist in the application of the pressure and force to the heart.

Claims

1. A method of remodeling a heart comprising:

forming a tissue capsule within an intrapericardial space of the heart; and

adjusting the pressure exerted by the the capsule on the heart.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the forming step comprises placing a material into the intrapericardial space.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the material comprises an expandable device.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the expandable device comprises an inflatable device.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the forming step comprises inflating the inflatable device.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the adjusting step comprises inflating or deflating the device.

7. The method of claim 2 wherein the placing step comprises delivering the material to the pericardial space through a delivery sheath having diameter of 2 cm or less.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the placing step further comprises moving the material from a delivery configuration within the sheath to a deployed configuration outside of the sheath and within the intrapericardial space, the material in its deployed configuration having a greater length in at least one dimension than in its delivery configuration.

9. The method of claim 2 further comprising removing the material after forming the capsule.

10. The method of claim 2 wherein the placing step further comprises visualizing placement of the material with a camera inside the intrapericardial space.

11. The method of claim 2 wherein the placing step further comprises visualizing adhesions with a camera inside the intrapericardial space and further comprises cutting said adhesions from within the intrapericardial space.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the adjusting step comprises inflating or deflating the capsule.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising reinforcing the capsule with a high viscosity or high molecular weight material.

14. A method of remodeling a heart comprising:

inserting a delivery sheath into an intrapericardial space between a pericardium and a myocardium of the heart, the delivery sheath having a diameter of 2 cm or less;

moving a pericardial device from a delivery configuration within the sheath to a deployed configuration within the intrapericardial space, the intrapericardial device in its deployed configuration having a greater length in at least one dimension than in its delivery configuration; and

controlling the pressure from the pericardium onto the intrapericardial device and from the intrapericardial device onto the myocardium.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising permitting the intrapericardial device to move from the delivery configuration at least partially to the deployed configuration without outside actuation.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising expanding the intrapericardial device from the delivery configuration to the deployed configuration.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the expanding step comprises inflating the intrapericardial device.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising loading the intrapericardial device into the delivery configuration within the sheath, the loading step comprising lengthening at least 200% in another dimension from an at-rest configuration outside of the sheath.

19. The method of claim 14 further comprising forming a tissue capsule around at least part of the intrapericardial device.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising adjusting the size of the capsule.