Heart wall tension reduction apparatus and method

• US 7,695,425 B2
• Filed: 02/17/2004
• Issued: 04/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences LLC (Edwards Lifesciences Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences LLC (Edwards Lifesciences Corporation)
• Inventors: Schweich, Cyril, Mortier, Todd
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno; Carl H
• Assistant Examiner(s): MALAMUD, DEBORAH LESLIE
• Application Number:
  US10/778,176
• Publication Number:
  US 20040167374A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,247 Days
• Field of Search: 600 16- 18, 600/37, 601/11, 601/153, 623/3, 623/11, 128897-898
• US Class Current: 600/16
• 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 17/1227 Spring clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0404 Buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0417 T-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0429 the barbs being expanded by a mechanical mechanism which also locks them in the expanded state
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0435 the barbs being separate elements mechanically linked to the anchor, e.g. by pivots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0461 with features cooperating with special features on the suture, e.g. protrusions on the suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/048 for reducing heart wall tension, e.g. sutures with a pad on each extremity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0496 for tensioning sutures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2481 Devices outside the heart wall, e.g. bags, strips or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2487 Devices within the heart chamber, e.g. splints
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 623/91 Heart

Abstract

An apparatus for treatment of a failing heart by reducing the wall tension therein. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a tension member for drawing at least two walls of a heart chamber toward each other. Methods for placing the apparatus on the heart are also provided.

Claims

1. A surgical procedure comprising:

advancing an elongate member towards a target location on a patient'"'"'s heart, wherein the elongate member includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween;

inserting the distal end of the elongate member through a heart wall and into a heart chamber;

introducing an instrument and an element through the elongate member for installing the element; and

installing the element in contact with first and second spaced apart portions of the heart, wherein the element traverses a chamber of the heart, and wherein all portions of the heart chamber remain in non-contacting fluid communication when the element is installed.

2. The surgical procedure according to claim 1, wherein the chamber is a left ventricle of the heart.

3. The surgical procedure according to claim 1, wherein the element is secured to the first and second spaced apart portions of the heart.

4. The surgical procedure according to claim 1, wherein the element includes a generally elongate member attached to each of the first and second spaced apart portions of the heart.

5. The surgical procedure according to claim 1, wherein one of the first and second spaced apart portions of the heart includes an external heart wall.

6. The surgical procedure according to claim 1, further comprising exerting tension on the element to reduce a dimension of the heart.

7. The surgical procedure according to claim 1, further comprising exerting tension on the element to draw the first and second spaced apart portions of the heart toward one another.

8. The surgical procedure according to claim 1, wherein the element includes a first end and a second end, and one of the first and second ends is anchored to an external heart wall by an anchor.

9. A surgical procedure comprising:

advancing an elongate member towards a target location on a patient'"'"'s heart, wherein the elongate member includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween;

inserting the distal end of the elongate member through a heart wall and into a heart chamber;

introducing an instrument and an element through the elongate member for installing the element; and

installing the element in contact with first and second spaced apart portions of the heart, wherein the element includes a generally elongate member attached to each of the first and second spaced apart portions of the heart, and wherein all portions of the heart chamber remain in non-contacting fluid communication when the element is installed.

10. A surgical procedure comprising:

advancing an elongate member towards a target location on a patient'"'"'s heart, wherein the elongate member includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween;

inserting the distal end of the elongate member through a heart wall and into a heart chamber;

introducing an instrument and an element through the elongate member for installing the element;

installing the element in contact with first and second spaced apart portions of the heart; and

exerting tension on the element to improve heart function,

wherein all portions of the heart chamber remain in non-contacting fluid communication when the element is installed.