Apparatus and method for minimally invasive implantation of heart assist device
Inventors
Harrison, Lewis • Hall, Stanley Dean • Robbins, Dennis
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8545387-B2
Publication Date
2013-10-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method and related apparatus for the minimally invasive implantation about a heart of at least a deployable device such as a heart assist device or cardiac compression device. The method comprises the steps of performing a left thoracotomy or subxiphoid incision; obtaining access to the pericardial sac; making a generally linear incision in the pericardial sac; positioning an assembly having an insertion aperture member with an upper ring and a lower ring or flange and insertion tube having therein a deployable device. The apparatus of the present invention includes an insertion aperture member having an upper ring and a lower ring or flange; and an insertion tube having therein a deployable device adapted to be deployed from the insertion tube inside the pericardial sac via a generally linear incision.
Core Innovation
The patent describes a method and apparatus for minimally invasive implantation of a deployable heart-assist or cardiac-compression device. An insertion aperture member, comprising an upper aperture ring and an elastically deformable lower flange, aligns with a removably coupled insertion tube to form a passage into the pericardial sac. The insertion aperture member can separate the pericardial sac from the heart during device deployment.
The supplied partial content does not include the background section, so it does not explicitly describe the problem being solved. It states that the approach may shorten surgery and recovery and reduce infection risk compared with sternotomy. The invention is described for minimally invasive deployment through a left thoracotomy or subxiphoid incision.
Claims Coverage
The two independent claims are claim 1, covering a method for minimally invasive implantation, and claim 4, covering an apparatus that facilitates deployment of a deployable cardiac device. Together, they present two inventive features.
Minimally invasive implantation method
Claim 1 covers implantation of a deployable device in the pericardial sac using an insertion aperture member and an insertion tube that align to form a hollow channel. The insertion aperture member is positioned against the inner surface of the pericardial sac and separates the sac from the heart during deployment.
Apparatus for cardiac device deployment
Claim 4 covers an insertion aperture member with an upper aperture ring and an elastically deformable lower flange, together with an insertion tube that removably couples to the flange and aligns with the ring to form a passage into the pericardial sac.
The independent claims cover a minimally invasive implantation method and an apparatus for forming a passage into the pericardial sac. Both use an insertion aperture member and insertion tube to facilitate deployment of a cardiac device.
Stated Advantages
The approach may shorten surgery and recovery compared with sternotomy.
The approach may reduce infection risk compared with sternotomy.
Documented Applications
Minimally invasive implantation and deployment of a deployable heart-assist or cardiac-compression device in the pericardial sac.
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