SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VACUUM-ASSISTED REGENERATION OF DAMAGED TISSUE

• US 20090171288A1
• Filed: 12/24/2008
• Published: 07/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Raptor Ridge, LLC
• Original Assignee: Raptor Ridge, LLC
• Inventors: Wheeler, William K.
• Granted Patent: US 8,292,847 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/119
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00247 Making holes in the wall of the heart, e.g. laser Myocardial revascularization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/308 with suction cups
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00392 Transmyocardial revascularisation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/08 Cupping glasses , i.e. for enhancing blood circulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/74 Suction control underwater drainage A61M1/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/75 Intermittent or pulsating suction A61M1/63, A61M1/772 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/916 specially adapted for deep wounds
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/962 having pumping means on the suction site, e.g. miniature pump on dressing or dressing capable of exerting suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/125 Heart

Abstract

A system and method for regenerating damaged or necrosed tissue. Negative or vacuum pressure is applied to a surface of the damaged tissue to stimulate the revascularization of the area and/or increased blood flow to the area, which encourages the regeneration of the damaged tissue. A negative pressure device is provided that is capable of providing a sequenced vacuum treatment regimen to damaged tissue.

Claims

1. A method for treating tissue, comprising:

applying a vacuum to a surface of the tissue under conditions that promote regeneration of the tissue.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the vacuum is at least 10 mmHg.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein the tissue comprises infarcted cardiac tissue.

4. A method as in claim 3, wherein the vacuum is applied to the epicardium over a target region of infarcted tissue.

5. A method as in claim 1, wherein the vacuum is applied over an area of the epicardium in the range from 25 mm² to 3600 mm².

6. A method as in claim 1, wherein the pressure is applied sequentially to a plurality of adjacent zones.

7. A method as in claim 6, wherein at least some of the zones are arranged annularly.

8. A method as in claim 1, further comprising positioning a vacuum cup on the tissue surface and coupling a vacuum source to the vacuum cup.

9. A method as in claim 8, wherein the tissue is internal and the vacuum cup is disposed subcutaneously.

10. A method as in claim 9, wherein the vacuum source is disposed subcutaneously.

11. A method as in claim 9, wherein the vacuum source is disposed externally and coupled to the vacuum cup by a transcutaneous connecting line.

12. A method as in claim 1, wherein the vacuum is applied continuously over a period in the range from 8 hours to 90 days.

13. A method as in claim 1, wherein the vacuum is applied intermittently over a period in the range from 8 hours to 90 days.

14. A method as in claim 13, wherein the vacuum is applied over intervals in the range from 5 minutes to 60 minutes during the intermittent period.

15. A method as in claim 1, further comprising delivering pharmaceutical agents and/or stem cells to the tissue before, during, and/or after applying the vacuum.

16. A system for applying a vacuum to a tissue surface, said system comprising:

a vacuum applicator;

a connector for coupling the vacuum applicator to a vacuum source; and

a controller for adjusting the level of vacuum applied by the vacuum applicator to tissue, wherein the level is adjusted to promote regeneration of damaged tissue.

17. A system as in claim 16, wherein the controller adjusts the vacuum level to promote the regeneration of infarcted cardiac tissue.

18. A system as in claim 17, wherein the vacuum applicator is adapted to apply the vacuum to epicardial tissue.

19. A system as in claim 18, wherein the connector is adapted for transcutaneous placement.

20. A system as in claim 19, wherein the connector is adapted for intercostal placement.

21. A system as in claim 20, further comprising a vacuum pump adapted to be worn externally by a patient.

22. A device for treating infarcted cardiac tissue, comprising:

a vacuum applicator divided into a plurality of vacuum regions that are isolated from each other, wherein each vacuum region communicates independently with a vacuum source; and

a valve configured to control which of the vacuum regions receives vacuum from the vacuum source.

23. A device as in claim 27, wherein the vacuum regions are arranged as concentric annular circles.

24. A device as in claim 23, wherein the valve is configured to sequentially apply vacuum to the concentric circular vacuum regions.