Heart wall tension reduction apparatus and method

• US 20030171641A1
• Filed: 12/20/2002
• Published: 09/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences LLC (Edwards Lifesciences Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Myocor, Inc. (Edwards Lifesciences Corporation)
• Inventors: Mortier, Todd J., Schweich, Cyril J. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 6,755,777 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 heart wall tension reduction apparatus, comprising:

a first tension member having two oppositely disposed ends; and

first and second anchor members, the first anchor member being disposed proximate one end of the tension member and second anchor member being disposed proximate the opposite end of the tension member.

2. The heart wall tension reduction apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first anchor member comprises a first pad having a length and a width, and the second anchor member comprises a second pad having a length and a width, and the first and second pad each have two lengthwise ends.

3. The heart wall tension reduction apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein the length of the pads is greater than the width of the respective pad.

4. A heart wall tension reduction apparatus in accordance with claim 2, further comprising a second tension member having two oppositely disposed ends;

and one lengthwise end of the first pad is disposed proximate one end of the first tension member, and the opposite lengthwise end of the first pad is disposed proximate one end of the second tension member, and one lengthwise end of the second pad is disposed proximate the end of the first tension member opposite the first pad, and the opposite lengthwise of the second pad is disposed proximate the end of the second tension member opposite the first pad.

5. The heart wall tension reduction apparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein the length of the first pad is greater than the width of the respective pads.

6. The heart wall tension reduction apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a third anchor member, and a second tension member having two oppositely disposed ends;

wherein the third anchor member is disposed proximate one end of the second tension member and the first anchor member is disposed proximate the opposite end of the second tension member.

7. The heart wall tension reduction apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein the first anchor member comprises a first pad having a length and width, and the second anchor member comprises a second pad having a length and a width, and the first and second pads each have two lengthwise ends.

8. The heart wall tension reduction apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein the length of the pads is greater than the width of the respective pad.

9. The heart wall tension reduction apparatus, comprising:

an elongate compression member having first and second ends;

first and second elongate lever members, the first lever member extending from the first end of the compression member, and the second lever member extending from the second end of the compression member; and

a tension member extending between the first and second lever members.

10. A heart wall tension reduction apparatus in accordance with claim 9, wherein each of the two lever members have two ends, one end of each of the two lever members is disposed proximate the compression member, the other end each of the two lever members is disposed remotely from he compression member, and the tension member is disposed closer to the ends of the two lever members disposed proximate the compression member than the ends disposed remotely therefrom.

11. A method of disposing a heart wall tension reduction apparatus on a human heart having a plurality of chambers, comprising the steps of:

providing a heart wall tension reduction apparatus including an elongate compression member having first and second ends;

first and second elongate lever members, the first lever member extending from the first end of the compression member, and the second lever member extending from the second end of the compression member;

a tension member extending between the first and second lever members; and

extending the tension member through at least one chamber of the human heart.

12. A method in accordance with claim 11, further comprising the step of disposing the compression member external to the heart.

13. The method in accordance with claim 11, further comprising the step of disposing at least a portion of the compression member within the heart.

14. A heart wall tension reduction apparatus, comprising:

a rigid elongate frame member having a first end and a second end;

a first cantilever member disposed at the first end of the frame member; and

a second cantilever member disposed at the second end of the frame member.

15. A heart wall tension reduction apparatus in accordance with claim 14, wherein each cantilever member includes at least one atraumatic pad disposed thereon.

16. A heart wall tension reduction apparatus in accordance with claim 14, further comprising a plurality of cantilever members disposed at the first and second ends of the frame member.

17. The method of placing a heart wall tension reduction apparatus on a human heart having a plurality of chambers, comprising the steps of:

extending a hollow needle through at least one chamber the heart such that each end of the needle is external to the chamber;

providing a tension member having first and second ends, and a flexible leader connected to the first end of the tension member;

connecting the second end of the tension member to a first atraumatic pad;

advancing the leader through the needle from one end of the needle to the other;

further advancing the leader until the first atraumatric pad engages the heart and the first end of the tension member is external to the at least one chamber; and

connecting the first end of the tension member to a second atraumatic pad such that the second atraumatic pad engages the heart.

18. The method in accordance with claim 17, wherein the length of the tension member is such that the at least one chamber of the heart is compressed between the first and second atraumatic pads.

19. The method of placing a heart wall tension reduction apparatus on a heart having a plurality of chambers, comprising the steps of:

extending a guide member through at least one chamber of the heart such that each end of the guide member is external to the chamber;

providing a tension member having at least one lumen extending therethrough;

extending a portion of the guide member through the lumen;

advancing the tension member on the guide member such that a first end of the tension member is disposed to one side of and external to the at least one chamber, and a second end of the tension member is disposed to an opposite side of and external to the at least one chamber; and

connecting a first atraumatic pad to the first end and a second atraumatic pad to the second end of the tension member.

20. The method in accordance with claim 19, wherein the length of the tension member is such that the at least one chamber of the heart is compressed between the first and second atraumatic pads.

21. A method in accordance with claim 19, wherein the guide member includes a needle.

22. The method in accordance with claim 19, wherein the guide member includes a guidewire.

23. The method of placing a heart wall tension reduction apparatus on a heart having a plurality of chamber comprising the steps of:

extending a needle having a flexible tension member releasably connected thereto through at least one chamber of the heart such that opposite ends of the tension member are external to the chamber and exposed on opposite sides thereof;

removing the needle from the tension member; and

connecting a first atraumatic pad to one end of the tension member and a second atraumatic pad to the opposite end of the tension member.

24. A method in accordance with claim 23, wherein the length of the tension member is such that the at least one chamber of the heart is compressed between the first and second atraumatic pads.