System and method for improving ventricular function

• US 7,374,573 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2004
• Issued: 05/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shlomo Gabbay
• Original Assignee: Shlomo Gabbay
• Inventors: Gabbay, Shlomo
• Primary Examiner(s): McDermott; Corrine
• Assistant Examiner(s): Izquierdo; David A.
• Application Number:
  US10/837,944
• Publication Number:
  US 20050246013A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,478 Days
• Field of Search: 623/2.1, 623/2.13, 623/23.65, 623/23.64, 623/3.1, 623/3.16
• US Class Current: 623/3.12
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2412 with soft flexible valve members, e.g. tissue valves shaped like natural valves check valves with flexible valve members in general F16K15/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2487 Devices within the heart chamber, e.g. splints

Abstract

An approach is disclosed for improving ventricular function of a patient'"'"'s heart. According to one embodiment, the system includes a pouch that defines a chamber dimensioned and configured to simulate at least a portion of a heart chamber. The pouch has a sidewall portion extending from an inflow annulus and terminating in a closed distal end spaced apart from the inflow annulus. A generally cylindrical outflow portion extends from the sidewall portion of the pouch and terminating in an outflow annulus thereof to provide for flow of fluid from the chamber through the outflow annulus. A valve is operatively associated with the inflow annulus of the pouch to provide for substantially unidirectional flow of fluid through the inflow annulus and into the chamber.

Claims

1. A method for improving ventricular function of a heart, comprising:

implanting a pouch in a ventricle, the pouch including an inflow annulus;

mounting an inflow valve associated with the inflow annulus of the pouch at a mitral position to provide for substantially unidirectional flow of blood through the inflow valve and into the implanted pouch;

securing an outflow end portion of a generally cylindrical member at an aortic annulus, the generally cylindrical member extending from a sidewall of the pouch and terminating in the outflow end portion to provide fluid communication from within the pouch into an aorta; and

removing fluid from a space in the ventricle between the pouch and surrounding cardiac tissue to facilitate self-remodeling of the heart, the fluid being in direct contact with the pouch and the surrounding cardiac tissue.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising mounting an outflow valve to provide from substantially unidirectional flow of blood from the pouch into the aorta.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising connecting a length of at least one tether between an exterior of the sidewall of the pouch and surrounding cardiac muscle to help maintain a desired configuration of the pouch.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the pouch is formed of a natural tissue material.

5. A system for improving ventricular function of a patient'"'"'s heart, comprising:

means for limiting a volume of blood received within an enlarged ventricle of the patient'"'"'s heart, the means for limiting being formed of a natural tissue material;

means for providing for substantially unidirectional flow of blood into the means for limiting; and

means for providing for substantially unidirectional flow of blood out of the means for limiting into an aorta of the patient'"'"'s heart; and

means for tethering a portion of the means for limiting relative to cardiac muscle of the patient'"'"'s heart so as to maintain a desired configuration of the means for limiting, the means for tethering comprising at least one strip of a biological material.