Heart wall actuation system for the natural heart with shape limiting elements
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An actuation system for assisting the operation of a natural heart, the actuation system comprising:
- an actuator element configured for being positioned proximate a portion of a heart wall and operable for acting on the heart wall portion to effect a change in the shape of the heart;
a shape-limiting element configured for being positioned proximate the heart wall, the shape-limiting element operable for flexing to assume a predetermined curvature when the heart wall is acted upon by the actuator element and maintaining the predetermined curvature to control the shape of the heart;
the shape-limiting element including a spring structure which is configured to flex;
a sheath interfacing with a portion of the spring structure, the sheath having limited deformability and configured to limit flexing of the spring structure to define said predetermined curvature.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An actuation system for assisting the operation of the natural heart includes an actuator element adapted to be positioned proximate a portion of a heart wall. The actuator element is operable for acting on the heart wall portion to effect a change in the shape of the heart. A shape-limiting element is configured for being positioned proximate a heart wall. The shape-limiting element is operable for flexing to assume a curvature no greater than a predetermined curvature when the heart wall is acted upon and maintaining that predetermined curvature to control the shape of the actuated heart.
93 Citations
32 Claims
-
1. An actuation system for assisting the operation of a natural heart, the actuation system comprising:
-
an actuator element configured for being positioned proximate a portion of a heart wall and operable for acting on the heart wall portion to effect a change in the shape of the heart;
a shape-limiting element configured for being positioned proximate the heart wall, the shape-limiting element operable for flexing to assume a predetermined curvature when the heart wall is acted upon by the actuator element and maintaining the predetermined curvature to control the shape of the heart;
the shape-limiting element including a spring structure which is configured to flex;
a sheath interfacing with a portion of the spring structure, the sheath having limited deformability and configured to limit flexing of the spring structure to define said predetermined curvature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A shape-limiting element for use with a heart wall actuation system to control the shape of an actuated heart, the element comprising:
-
a spring structure which is configured to flex;
a sheath having limited deformity and configured for interfacing with a portion of the spring structure, the sheath configured to limit flexing of the spring structure to define a predetermined curvature when the heart wall is acted upon by the heart wall actuation system. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A method for assisting the operation of a natural heart, the method comprising:
-
positioning an actuator element proximate to the heart and operating the actuator element to act on a heart wall portion to effect a change in the shape of the heart;
positioning, proximate to the heart, a flexible spring structure and a sheath having limited deformability, which interfaces with a portion of the spring structure;
when the actuator element is operated to act on the heart wall portion, allowing the spring structure to flex to a predetermined curvature, limited by the sheath, and maintaining that predetermined curvature to control the shape of the actuated heart. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
-
Specification