Methods and systems for cardiac remodeling via resynchronization
First Claim
1. A method for improving the hemodynamic efficiency of a heart, the method comprising:
- implanting at least one reinforcement element within a wall of the heart; and
electrically stimulating the heart;
wherein the at least one reinforcement element is configured to increase the heart'"'"'s mechanical energy during a response to the electrical stimulation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems, methods and devices are provided for improving the hemodynamic efficiency of a patient'"'"'s heart by implanting one or more reinforcement elements on or with the heart and providing electrical stimulation to the heart. The reinforcement elements may include magnetic and/or shape memory material and are configured to reshape the heart so as to boost the heart'"'"'s mechanical energy during a response to the electrical stimulation. In some embodiments, at least one reinforcement element includes an electrode configured to sense electrocardiogram signals within the heart. An electrical stimulation device such as an implantable or external pacemaker/defibrillator may be configured to control delivery of electrical pulses to the heart based on the sensed electrocardiogram signals. In addition, or in other embodiments, at least one reinforcement element includes an electrode configured to deliver the electrical pulses to the heart.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for improving the hemodynamic efficiency of a heart, the method comprising:
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implanting at least one reinforcement element within a wall of the heart; and electrically stimulating the heart; wherein the at least one reinforcement element is configured to increase the heart'"'"'s mechanical energy during a response to the electrical stimulation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system for improving the hemodynamic efficiency of a heart, the system comprising:
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an electrical stimulation device configured to deliver an electrical impulse to the heart; at least one reinforcement element implantable at least partially within a tissue area of the heart, the at least one reinforcement element configured to increase the heart'"'"'s mechanical energy during a response to the electrical impulse; and a lead electrically coupled to the electrical stimulation device, the lead comprising; a first electrode configured to deliver the electrical impulse to a tissue area of the heart; and a second electrode configured to deliver activation enerqy to the at least one reinforcement element, wherein the first electrode is located in a tip of the lead and the second electrode is located within a recess of the first electrode such that both the first and second electrode contact the tissue area of the heart in close proximity to the at least one reinforcement element. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system comprising:
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means for electrically stimulating a patient'"'"'s heart; and means for reshaping the heart to increase the heart'"'"'s mechanical energy during a response to the electrical stimulation, the means for reshaping the heart configured to be implanted within a wall of the heart. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification