Device for the epicardial support and/or resumption of cardiac activity

• US 7,691,047 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2005
• Issued: 04/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: PPA Technologies AG
• Original Assignee: PPA Technologies AG
• Inventors: Ferrari, Markus
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno; Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Porter, Jr.; Gary A
• Application Number:
  US11/569,036
• Publication Number:
  US 20070225545A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,792 Days
• Field of Search: 600/16, 600/17, 604/191, 606/191, 606/192, 623/3.1
• US Class Current: 600/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/191 mechanically acting upon the outside of the patient's native heart, e.g. compressive structures placed around the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/289 Devices for mechanical circulatory actuation assisting the residual heart function by means mechanically acting upon the patient's native heart or blood vessel structure, e.g. direct cardiac compression [DCC] devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/468 the force acting on the actuation means being hydraulic or pneumatic
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/515 Regulation using real-time patient data
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/531 using blood pressure data, e.g. from blood pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/878 Electrical connections within the patient's body
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0587 Epicardial electrode systems; Endocardial electrodes piercing the pericardium

Abstract

A device for epicardial support and/or the assuming of cardiac activity having a double membrane (1) consisting of an elastic inner membrane (2) and a non-expandable outer membrane (3) as well as a closed cavity (4) formed therebetween which can be inflated and deflated by means of a fluid. With the objective of further developing a device of the type as indicated at the outset which provides a simpler possibility of stimulating the heart in the critical post-operative phase, it is provided for at least one probe/electrode unit (7, 8) to be arranged on the inward facing side (6) of the inner membrane (2) to the heart (5) for epicardial ECG leads and/or signal transmission/conversion of an external pacemaker.

Claims

1. A device for at least one of epicardial support and assuming of cardiac activity, comprising:

a double membrane formed of an elastic inner membrane and a non-expandable outer membrane with a closed cavity being formed therebetween which can be inflated and deflated by means of a fluid;

wherein at least one probe/electrode unit is arranged on an inward facing side of the inner membrane for at least one of epicardial ECG leads and signal transmission/conversion of an external pacemaker

wherein variable recesses are provided in the double membrane in an area which, in use, is located in an area of the large coronary artery, the variable recesses being configured to be placed in their desired position between the membranes by displaceable supports confined within the closed cavity formed between the membranes.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one said probe/electrode unit is provided for allocation to each of two ventricles.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein signal lines to the probe/electrode units are guided along the inward facing side of the inner membrane.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein pressure sensors are arranged on the inner membrane to measure systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

5. The device according to claim 4, signal lines to the pressure sensors are guided along the inward facing side of the inner membrane.

6. The device according to claim 3, a common connector plug is provided for the signal lines.

7. The device according to claim 4, wherein the double membrane is collapsible and the probe/electrode units as well as the pressure sensors are configured for enabling implantation as well as their explantation thereof via percutaneous cannulation.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the displaceable supports comprise mechanically manipulatable collapsible flexible bars or half-tubes.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the collapsible flexible bars or half-tubes are fixable in the desired position by one of self-adhering properties of the flexible bars or half-tubes, a tissue adhesive, and a support rail or grooves within the double membrane.