Shape memory devices and methods for reshaping heart anatomy

• US 7,285,087 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2005
• Issued: 10/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MiCardia Corporation
• Original Assignee: MiCardia Corporation
• Inventors: Shaolian, Samuel M., Moaddeb, Shahram, Shaoulian, Emanuel, Anderson, Steven C., Rhee, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Gilbert; Samuel G.
• Application Number:
  US11/142,078
• Publication Number:
  US 20060015002A1
• Time in Patent Office: 875 Days
• Field of Search: 600/37, 128/897, 128/898, 606/151
• 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 17/06166 Sutures suture materials A61L17/00; manufacture of artificial threads D01D; treatment of threads D06M
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0644 penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/068 Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clampsstaplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105; for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; staplers in general B25C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06052 Needle-suture combinations in which a suture is extending inside a hollow tubular needle, e.g. over the entire length of the needle hollow suture needles A61B2017/061

Abstract

Systems, methods and devices are provided for treating heart failure patients suffering from various levels of heart dilation. Such heart dilation is treated by reshaping the heart anatomy with the use of shape memory elements. Such reshaping changes the geometry of portions of the heart, particularly the right or left ventricles, to increase contractibility of the ventricles thereby increasing the stroke volume which in turn increases the cardiac output of the heart. The shape memory elements have an original shape and at least one memory shape. The elements are implanted within the heart tissue or attached externally and/or internally to a surface of the heart when in the original shape. The elements are then activated to transition from the original shape to one of the at least one memory shapes. Transitioning of the elements cause the associated heart tissue areas to readjust position, such as to decrease the width of the ventricles. Such repositioning is maintained over time by the elements, allowing the damaging effects of heart dilation to slow in progression or reverse.

Claims

1. A method for reshaping the heart anatomy, comprising:

providing a shape memory element which is transitionable between an original shape and at least one memory shape, wherein the shape memory element comprises at least one shape memory metal or metal alloy capable of exhibiting a paramagnetic or ferromagnetic transition and wherein activating comprises applying a magnetic field to the metal or metal alloy;

implanting the shape memory element having its original shape at least partially within a tissue area of the heart anatomy; and

activating the shape memory element causing transition from its original shape to one of the at least one memory shapes while the element is at least partially implanted, wherein the transition causes the tissue area to move in a manner which reshapes the heart anatomy.