Method and system for myocardial infarction repair

• US 7,031,775 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2003
• Issued: 04/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Soykan, Orhan, Donovan, Maura G.
• Primary Examiner(s): WOLFE JR, WILLIS RAY
• Application Number:
  US10/692,878
• Publication Number:
  US 20040087019A1
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• Field of Search: 607/3, 607/10, 607/17, 607/50, 600 12- 15, 600/17, 600/36, 424/93.1
• US Class Current: 607/50
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/327 for enhancing the absorption properties of tissue, e.g. by electroporation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36042 of grafted tissue, e.g. skeletal muscle
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3629 in combination with non-electric therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3756 Casings with electrodes thereon, e.g. leadless stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 5/0657 Cardiomyocytes; Heart cells

Abstract

An implantable system is provided that includes: a cell repopulation source comprising genetic material, undifferentiated and/or differentiated contractile cells, or a combination thereof capable of forming new contractile tissue in and/or near an infarct zone of a patient'"'"'s myocardium; and an electrical stimulation device for electrically stimulating the new contractile tissue in and/or near the infarct zone of the patient'"'"'s myocardium or otherwise damaged or diseased myocardial tissue.

Claims

1. A method of repairing the myocardium of a patient, the method comprising:

(a) providing an implantable system comprising;

(i) a cell repopulation source comprising genetic material, undifferentiated contractile cells, or a combination thereof, capable of forming new contractile tissue in and/or near an infarct zone of a patient'"'"'s myocardium; and

(ii) an electrical stimulation device for electrically stimulating the new contractile tissue in and/or near the infarct zone of the patient'"'"'s myocardium;

(b) implanting the cell repopulation source into and/or near the infarct zone of the myocardium of a patient;

(c) allowing sufficient time for new contractile tissue to form from the cell repopulation source; and

(d) electrically stimulating the new contractile tissue.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the electrical stimulation device comprises a muscle stimulator and electrodes;

wherein the electrodes are implanted into and/or near the infarct zone of the myocardium.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the undifferentiated contractile cells comprise autologous cells.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the muscle stimulator is implantable and is in the form of a capsule having electrodes incorporated therein.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the muscle stimulator is a carrier for the cell repopulation source.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the muscle stimulator and cell repopulation source are delivered to the infarct zone through a catheter.