Device for proactive modulation of cardiac strain patterns
Inventors
Criscione, John C. • Harrison, Lewis
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-7935045-B2
Publication Date
2011-05-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention provides methods, systems and devices that reduce dyskinesis and hypokinesis. The contoured heart assist device of the present invention includes a selectively inflatable end-systolic heart shaped bladder with one or more contoured supports configured to surround at least a portion of the heart and provide curvatures similar to the proper shape of the heart when the device is pressurized and one or more fluid connections in communication with the selectively inflatable end-systolic heart shaped bladder for pressurization and depressurization.
Core Innovation
The direct cardiac compression device comprises an outer member surrounding a selectively inflatable, end-systolic heart-shaped inner bladder with fluid connections for pressurization and depressurization. Contoured supports surround at least a portion of the heart, compressing the organ during contraction without inverting or significantly perturbing natural curvatures. The design supports minimally invasive implantation with little or no cardiac attachment, pressurizing during systole and deflating during diastole.
The direct cardiac compression device operates to reduce dyskinesis and hypokinesis while promoting a natural heart-shaped contraction strain pattern on a diseased or damaged heart. Certain configurations incorporate supports protruding inward toward the right ventricle that maintain residual pressure during diastole to restrict diastolic filling. This construction selectively restricts inflow and modulates right flow versus left flow through the heart.
Claims Coverage
The claims define four inventive features across independent claims 1, 14, 19, and 20, directed to a contoured direct cardiac compression device comprising an inflatable bladder, contoured supports, and fluid connections.
Heart-shaped bladder with contoured supports
Claim 1 recites an outer member surrounding a selectively inflatable end-systolic heart-shaped inner bladder with heart-shaped contoured supports configured to surround at least a portion of a heart, providing curvatures similar to the proper shape of the heart when pressurized to compress the heart during contraction without inverting or significantly perturbing its curvatures, along with fluid connections for pressurization and depressurization.
Compression with inward support toward the right ventricle
Claim 14 recites a heart-contoured direct cardiac compression device applying forces to the exterior epicardial boundary to restrict inflow and modulate right flow versus left flow, wherein contoured supports compress the heart during contraction without inverting or significantly perturbing curvatures, a portion protrudes inward toward the right ventricle to reduce end-diastolic volume, and fluid connections apply residual pressure to prevent full deflation during diastole.
End-systolic bladder for direct cardiac compression
Claim 19 recites a direct cardiac compression device configured to fit an end-systolic heart geometry, comprising an outer member surrounding a selectively inflatable end-systolic heart-shaped inner bladder that compresses the heart during contraction without inverting or significantly perturbing its curvatures when pressurized, with fluid connections for pressurization and depressurization.
Bladder configured to promote a heart-shaped contraction strain pattern
Claim 20 recites a direct cardiac compression device that promotes a heart-shaped contraction strain pattern on a diseased or damaged heart and reduces dyskinetic or hypokinetic motions, comprising a selectively inflatable end-systolic heart-shaped bladder with contoured supports configured to contour to the end-systolic shape when pressurized to compress the heart without inverting or significantly perturbing its curvatures, and fluid connections for pressurization and depressurization.
The independent claims cover selectively inflatable heart-shaped inner bladders and contoured supports that compress the heart without inverting or perturbing its curvatures, including configurations providing inward support to the right ventricle under residual diastolic pressure and promoting natural contraction strain patterns.
Stated Advantages
The device reduces dyskinesis and hypokinesis during contraction.
The device restricts inflow and modulates right flow versus left flow through the heart.
The device promotes a heart-shaped contraction strain pattern on a diseased or damaged heart while preserving normal heart curvature.
The device supports minimally invasive implantation with little or no cardiac attachment.
Residual pressure around the right ventricle restricts diastolic filling.
Documented Applications
Direct cardiac compression of the heart during contraction using a heart-contoured device.
Application to a diseased or damaged heart to promote a heart-shaped contraction strain pattern and reduce dyskinetic or hypokinetic motions.
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