Heart wall tension reduction apparatus and method

• US 6,755,777 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2002
• Issued: 06/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences LLC (Edwards Lifesciences Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Myocor, Inc. (Edwards Lifesciences Corporation)
• Inventors: Mortier, Todd J., Schweich, Cyril J. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jastrzab, Jeffrey R.
• Application Number:
  US10/326,585
• Publication Number:
  US 20030171641A1
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 607/16-18, 607/37, 623/3.1, 623/11.11, 623/904, 623/910, 623/913, 623/922, 601/153
• US Class Current: 600/16
• 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 17/1227 Spring clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0404 Buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0417 T-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0429 the barbs being expanded by a mechanical mechanism which also locks them in the expanded state
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0435 the barbs being separate elements mechanically linked to the anchor, e.g. by pivots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0461 with features cooperating with special features on the suture, e.g. protrusions on the suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/048 for reducing heart wall tension, e.g. sutures with a pad on each extremity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 for tensioning sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2481 Devices outside the heart wall, e.g. bags, strips or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2487 Devices within the heart chamber, e.g. splints
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 623/91 Heart

Abstract

An apparatus for treatment of a failing heart by reducing the wall tension therein. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a tension member for drawing at least two walls of a heart chamber toward each other. Methods for placing the apparatus on the heart are also provided.

Claims

1. A device for treating a heart, the device comprising:

an elongate member configured to extend externally around an apex of at least one heart chamber, the elongate member having a first end and a second end;

a first member extending from the first end of the elongate member and being configured to be positioned adjacent a first wall of the heart; and

a second member extending from the second end of the elongate member and being configured to be positioned adjacent a second wall of the heart,

wherein the device is configured to passively compress the at least one chamber during systole.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to alter a cross-sectional shape of the at least one chamber.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to reduce a radius of curvature of the at least one chamber.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to compress the at least one chamber during diastole.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to compress the at least one chamber throughout the cardiac cycle.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongate member is substantially rigid.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the first member and the second member are configured to be biased toward the heart when positioned adjacent the respective first wall and second wall.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a tension member configured to extend between the first member and the second member.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the tension member is configured to extend transverse the at least one heart chamber.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the tension member is configured to bias the first member and the second member toward the heart.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the first member and the second member are hingedly connected to the respective first end and second end of the elongate member.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the first member and the second member are lever members.

13. A method for treating a heart, the method comprising:

providing a substantially rigid frame;

placing the frame relative to the heart such that at least part of the frame extends externally around at least an apical portion of the heart; and

passively compressing at least one chamber of the heart via the frame.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising altering a cross-sectional shape of the at least one chamber of the heart.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising reducing a radius of curvature of the at least one chamber of the heart.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the passively compressing includes passively compressing the at least one chamber during systole.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the passively compressing includes passively compressing the at least one chamber during diastole.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the passively compressing includes passively compressing the at least one chamber throughout the cardiac cycle.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising drawing walls of the heart toward each other via the frame.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the walls include walls surrounding the at least one heart chamber.

21. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing a tension member and extending the tension member transverse the at least one heart chamber and between portions of the frame.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising extending the tension member between a first member and a second member of the frame so as to bias the first member and the second member toward the heart.

23. A method for treating a heart, the method comprising:

placing a device relative to the heart such that at least part of the device extends externally around at least an apical portion of the heart; and

at least during systole, passively compressing at least one chamber of the heart via the device.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising altering a cross-sectional shape of the at least one chamber of the heart.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising reducing a radius of curvature of the at least one chamber of the heart.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the passively compressing includes passively compressing the at least one chamber throughout the cardiac cycle.

27. The method of claim 23, further comprising drawing walls of the heart toward each other via the device.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the walls include walls surrounding the at least one chamber of the heart.

29. The method of claim 23, wherein the device includes a tension member and the method further comprises extending the tension member transverse the at least one chamber of the heart.

30. The method of claim 23, wherein the placing the device includes placing at least an additional portion of the device at least partially within the at least one chamber of the heart.

31. A device for treating a heart, the device comprising:

means for passively compressing at least one chamber of the heart at least during systole and for extending externally around an apical portion of the heart.

32. The device of claim 31, wherein the means include means for altering a cross-sectional shape of the at least one chamber of the heart.

33. The device of claim 31, wherein the means include means for reducing a radius of curvature of the at least one chamber of the heart.

34. The device of claim 31, wherein the means for passively compressing include means for passively compressing the at least one chamber throughout the cardiac cycle.

35. The device of claim 31, wherein the means include means for drawing walls of the heart toward each other.

36. The device of claim 35, wherein the walls include walls surrounding the at least one chamber of the heart.

37. The device of claim 31, wherein the means include a tension member configured to extend transverse the at least one chamber of the heart.

38. The device of claim 31, wherein the means include means configured to be placed at least partially within the at least one chamber of the heart.

39. The device of claim 31, wherein the means include substantially rigid means.

40. The device of 31, wherein the means include a frame.

41. A device for treating a heart, the device comprising:

a member configured to extend externally around an apical portion of the heart,

wherein the device is configured to passively compress at least one chamber of the heart at least during systole.

42. The device of claim 41, wherein the device is configured to alter a cross-sectional shape of the at least one chamber of the heart.

43. The device of claim 41, wherein the device is configured to reduce a radius of curvature of the at least one chamber of the heart.

44. The device of claim 41, wherein the device is configured to passively compressing the at least one chamber throughout the cardiac cycle.

45. The device of claim 41, wherein the device is configured to draw walls of the heart toward each other.

46. The device of claim 45, wherein the walls include walls surrounding the at least one chamber of the heart.

47. The device of claim 41, further comprising a tension member configured to extend transverse the at least one chamber of the heart.

48. The device of claim 41, wherein at least a portion of the device is configured to be placed at least partially within the at least one chamber of the heart.

49. The device of claim 41, wherein the member is substantially rigid.

50. The device of 41, further comprising a frame, the frame including the member.