US20020169359A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and devices for improving cardiac function in hearts
Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences LLC
•
Filing: 2002-05-02
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2022-05-02
Abstract
Abstract Various methods and devices are disclosed for improving cardiac function in hearts having zones of infarcted (akinetic) and aneurysmal (dyskinetic) tissue regions. The methods and devices reduce the radius of curvature in walls of the heart proximal infarcted and aneurysmal regions to reduce wall stress and improve pumping efficiency. The inventive methods and related devices include splinting of the chamber wall proximal the infarcted region and various other devices and methods including suture and patch techniques.
Inventors
- 👤 Patrick McCarthy
- 👤 Cyril Schweich
- 👤 Todd Mortier
- 👤 Peter Keith
- 👤 Michael Kallok
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:36
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2478; A61F2/2487; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/00234; A61B17/04; A61B17/0487; A61B17/12; A61B17/122; A61B17/1227; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00243; A61B17/0401; A61B2017/0404; A61B2017/0427; A61B2017/0435; A61B2017/0445; A61B2017/0446; A61B2017/0454; A61B2017/0458; A61B2017/0464; A61B17/0469; A61B2017/048; A61B2017/0496; A61B90/00; A61B90/39; A61B2090/392; A61F2/2481
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 89
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
1 . A method for treating a heart having a zone of infarcted tissue in a chamber thereof, comprising the steps of: providing a tension member having a first end and a second end, each of said ends provided with an anchor member; and positioning said tension member transverse to said chamber to reduce the radius of curvature of a wall of the chamber that includes the infarcted tissue.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
1 . A method for treating a heart having a zone of infarcted tissue in a chamber thereof, comprising the steps of: providing a tension member having a first end and a second end, each of said ends provided with an anchor member; and positioning said tension member transverse to said chamber to reduce the radius of curvature of a wall of the chamber that includes the infarcted tissue.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of positioning said anchor members exterior to the chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the positioning step includes positioning said tension member diametrically across the infarcted tissue.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein said heart chamber comprises healthy tissue adjacent said infarcted tissue and each of said anchor members are positioned exterior to the heart chamber approximately between said healthy and infarcted tissue.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
5 . The method of claim 2 , wherein one of said anchors is positioned on a septum wall of the heart.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
6 . The method of claim 2 , wherein one of said anchors is positioned on the infarcted tissue.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
7 . The method of claim 2 , wherein said infarcted tissue is located in a region of a left ventricle of the heart proximal a mitral valve and said tension member draws papillary muscles of the mitral valve together.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein said tension member is curved between said anchor members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the providing and positioning steps include providing and positioning a plurality of tension members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
10 . A method for treating a heart having a zone of infarcted tissue in a chamber thereof, comprising the steps of: positioning a tension member having a first end and a second end, each of said ends provided with an anchor member; and positioning said tension member transverse to said chamber to draw walls containing the infarcted tissue together.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
10 . A method for treating a heart having a zone of infarcted tissue in a chamber thereof, comprising the steps of: positioning a tension member having a first end and a second end, each of said ends provided with an anchor member; and positioning said tension member transverse to said chamber to draw walls containing the infarcted tissue together.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of positioning said anchor members exterior to the chamber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the positioning step includes positioning said tension member diametrically across the infarcted tissue.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein said heart chamber comprises healthy tissue adjacent said infarcted tissue and each of said anchor members are positioned exterior to the heart chamber approximately between said healthy and infarcted tissue.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein one of said anchors is positioned on a septum wall of the heart.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
15 . The method of claim 11 , wherein one of said anchors is positioned on the infarcted tissue.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
16 . The method of claim 11 , wherein said infarcted tissue is located in a basal region of a left ventricle of the heart proximal a mitral valve and said tension member draws papillary muscles of the mitral valve together.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein said tension member is curved between said anchor members.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
18 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the providing and positioning steps include providing and positioning a plurality of tension members.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
80 words
19 . A method of treating a heart having a zone of infarcted tissue in a chamber thereof, comprising the steps of: providing a tension member having a first end and a second end, each of said ends provided with an anchor member; positioning one of said anchor members on an outer wall of the infarcted tissue; and positioning said tension member through the heart chamber such that the infarcted tissue is drawn toward an interior of the heart chamber.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
80 words
19 . A method of treating a heart having a zone of infarcted tissue in a chamber thereof, comprising the steps of: providing a tension member having a first end and a second end, each of said ends provided with an anchor member; positioning one of said anchor members on an outer wall of the infarcted tissue; and positioning said tension member through the heart chamber such that the infarcted tissue is drawn toward an interior of the heart chamber.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein positioning said anchor member includes positioning said anchor member substantially at a center of the infarcted tissue.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
48 words
21 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising the step of positioning the other of said anchor members on an outer wall of the heart chamber located approximately opposite to the infarcted tissue, with the tension member extending transverse to the chamber between said anchor members.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
82 words
22 . A method of treating a heart having a zone of infarcted tissue in a chamber thereof, comprising the steps of: removing the infarcted tissue; suturing the chamber wall separated as a result of said removing step; providing a tension member having a first end and a second end, each of said ends provided with an anchor member; and positioning said tension member transverse to said chamber to reduce a radius of curvature of the chamber wall proximal to the suturing.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
82 words
22 . A method of treating a heart having a zone of infarcted tissue in a chamber thereof, comprising the steps of: removing the infarcted tissue; suturing the chamber wall separated as a result of said removing step; providing a tension member having a first end and a second end, each of said ends provided with an anchor member; and positioning said tension member transverse to said chamber to reduce a radius of curvature of the chamber wall proximal to the suturing.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
88 words
23 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the infarcted tissue includes a first region having infarcted tissue that extends through an entire wall thickness of the heart chamber and a second region, adjacent said first region, having infarcted tissue that does not extend through the entire wall thickness, and said removing step includes removing the infarcted tissue from the second region so that a thin wall region of the heart chamber remains, and said positioning step includes positioning said tension member transverse the thin wall region.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
46 words
24 . The method of claim 23 , wherein said heart chamber comprises regions of thick walls adjacent said thin wall region and said anchor members are positioned on the outer wall of the heart approximately between said thick wall regions and said thin wall regions.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
76 words
25 . A method for treating a heart having a zone of infarcted tissue in a chamber thereof, comprising the steps of: providing a compression member having a first end and a second end, each of said ends provided with an anchor member; and positioning said compression member around an exterior of a heart wall surrounding said chamber to reduce the radius of curvature of a portion of the heart wall that includes the infarcted tissue.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
76 words
25 . A method for treating a heart having a zone of infarcted tissue in a chamber thereof, comprising the steps of: providing a compression member having a first end and a second end, each of said ends provided with an anchor member; and positioning said compression member around an exterior of a heart wall surrounding said chamber to reduce the radius of curvature of a portion of the heart wall that includes the infarcted tissue.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
26 . The method of claim 25 , wherein said compression member includes a clamp.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
60 words
27 . A method of treating a heart having a zone of infarcted tissue in a chamber thereof, comprising the steps of: providing a suture having two free ends; suturing said suture substantially around an epicardial perimeter of the infarcted tissue; pulling said two free ends to draw said infarcted tissue together substantially toward a center of the infarcted tissue.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
60 words
27 . A method of treating a heart having a zone of infarcted tissue in a chamber thereof, comprising the steps of: providing a suture having two free ends; suturing said suture substantially around an epicardial perimeter of the infarcted tissue; pulling said two free ends to draw said infarcted tissue together substantially toward a center of the infarcted tissue.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
28 . The method of claim 27 , further comprising the step of securing the suture to hold the drawn together infarcted tissue in place.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
29 . The method of claim 28 , wherein the securing step includes tying the free ends of the suture.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
30 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the step of drawing the infarcted tissue together includes decreasing a perimeter of the infarcted tissue.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
31 . The method of claim 27 , wherein the sutures are pulled in so that outer perimeter walls of the infarcted tissue contact each other.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
32 . The method of claim 27 , further comprising the step of placing a patch over said infarcted tissue after said pulling step.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
31 words
33 . The method of claim 27 , further comprising the steps of providing an enclosure member and suturing said enclosure member around a perimeter of the drawn together infarcted tissue.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
26 words
34 . The method of claim 33 , wherein said enclosure member has a perimeter not greater than the perimeter of the drawn together infarcted tissue.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
17 words
35 . The method of claim 33 , wherein said enclosure member is made of rigid material.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
36 . The method of claim 35 , wherein said enclosure member is comprised substantially of stainless steel.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
18 words
37 . The method of claim 33 , wherein said enclosure member is made of a semi-rigid material.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
15 words
38 . The method of claim 33 , wherein said enclosure member is a ring.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
100 words
39 . A method of treating a heart having a zone of infarcted tissue in a chamber thereof, comprising the steps of: providing an enclosure member having a first configuration and a second configuration; positioning said enclosure member around said infarcted tissue zone, wherein said enclosure member is in the first configuration during said positioning; securing said enclosure member onto a wall of the heart after said positioning step, wherein said enclosure member reconfigures to the second configuration after said securing step to reduce a radius of curvature of a portion of the heart wall that includes the infarcted tissue.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
100 words
39 . A method of treating a heart having a zone of infarcted tissue in a chamber thereof, comprising the steps of: providing an enclosure member having a first configuration and a second configuration; positioning said enclosure member around said infarcted tissue zone, wherein said enclosure member is in the first configuration during said positioning; securing said enclosure member onto a wall of the heart after said positioning step, wherein said enclosure member reconfigures to the second configuration after said securing step to reduce a radius of curvature of a portion of the heart wall that includes the infarcted tissue.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
42 words
40 . The method of claim 39 , wherein said enclosure member is made of a shape memory material having a transformation temperature, said enclosure member has the first configuration below the transformation temperature and the second configuration above the transformation temperature.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
52 words
41 . The method of claim 39 , wherein said enclosure member is made of a spring metal processed such that the enclosure member has the first configuration when said enclosure member is subject to external forces and has the second configuration when said enclosure member is subject to no external forces.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
44 words
42 . A method for treating a heart having a zone of infarcted tissue in a chamber thereof, comprising the steps of: deforming a wall of the chamber that includes the infarcted tissue such that a radius of curvature of the wall is reduced.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
44 words
42 . A method for treating a heart having a zone of infarcted tissue in a chamber thereof, comprising the steps of: deforming a wall of the chamber that includes the infarcted tissue such that a radius of curvature of the wall is reduced.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
31 words
43 . The method of claim 42 , wherein deforming the wall also reduces the radius of curvature of the wall in non-infarcted tissue zones located adjacent to the infarcted zones.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
22 words
44 . The method of claim 42 , wherein deforming the wall includes positioning a splint with respect to the heart chamber.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
41 words
45 . An apparatus for treating a heart having a zone of infarcted tissue in a chamber thereof, comprising: a patch adapted to be attached to a wall of the heart; and at least one elongated member secured to the patch.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
41 words
45 . An apparatus for treating a heart having a zone of infarcted tissue in a chamber thereof, comprising: a patch adapted to be attached to a wall of the heart; and at least one elongated member secured to the patch.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
15 words
46 . The apparatus of claim 45 , wherein said elongated member is substantially rigid.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
45 words
47 . The apparatus of claim 45 , wherein said at least one elongated member includes a first end secured to said patch and a second end adapted to contact a region of said infarcted tissue when said patch is placed over said infarcted region.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
32 words
48 . The apparatus of claim 47 , wherein, when said patch is placed over Said infarcted region, said elongated member pushes said infarcted tissue into an interior of said heart chamber.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
22 words
49 . The apparatus of claim 47 , wherein said at least one elongated rigid member is made of Dacron or PTFE.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
24 words
50 . The apparatus of claim 47 , wherein said at least one elongated member is secured in a perpendicular direction to said patch.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
22 words
51 . The apparatus of claim 47 , wherein said at least one elongated member is secured to said patch at angle.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
22 words
52 . The apparatus of claim 47 , wherein a plurality of elongated members are secured to said patch at various angles.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
19 words
53 . The apparatus of claim 45 , wherein said at least one elongated member has a blunt end.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
14 words
54 . The apparatus of claim 47 , wherein said second end is blunt.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
89 words
55 . An apparatus for treating a heart having a zone of infarcted tissue in a chamber thereof, comprising: a plurality of sutures each having first and second ends, each of said first ends adapted to be attached to points on a wall of said chamber proximate the infarcted tissue; and an enclosure member defining a space therein, wherein said plurality of sutures extend through said space, and wherein said second ends are adapted to be attached to points on a wall of said chamber located outside said space.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
89 words
55 . An apparatus for treating a heart having a zone of infarcted tissue in a chamber thereof, comprising: a plurality of sutures each having first and second ends, each of said first ends adapted to be attached to points on a wall of said chamber proximate the infarcted tissue; and an enclosure member defining a space therein, wherein said plurality of sutures extend through said space, and wherein said second ends are adapted to be attached to points on a wall of said chamber located outside said space.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
18 words
56 . The apparatus of claim 55 , wherein said enclosure member is comprised of a rigid material.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
18 words
57 . The apparatus of claim 55 , wherein said enclosure member is comprised of a semi-rigid material.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
18 words
58 . The apparatus of claim 55 , wherein said enclosure member is comprised substantially of stainless steel.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
15 words
59 . The apparatus of claim 55 , wherein said enclosure member is a ring-shaped.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
35 words
60 . The apparatus of claim 55 , wherein said second ends of said sutures are attached to points on said chamber wall located at substantially the same points that the first ends are attached.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
49 words
61 . The apparatus of claim 60 , wherein said plurality of sutures each have a length less than twice a distance from the point of attachment of the first end of said suture to said enclosure member measured before said tissue has been drawn through said enclosure member.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
18 words
62 . The apparatus of claim 61 , wherein said lengths of said plurality of sutures are non-uniform.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
17 words
63 . The apparatus of claim 55 , wherein said plurality of sutures each have different lengths.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
83 words
64 . A method of treating a heart having a zone of infarcted tissue in a chamber thereof, comprising: providing a plurality of sutures having first and second ends; attaching said first ends to points on a wall of said chamber proximate said infarcted tissue; positioning an enclosure member substantially over said infarcted tissue; extending said plurality of sutures through said enclosure member; and attaching said second ends to a wall of said chamber to draw the infarcted tissue through said enclosure member.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
83 words
64 . A method of treating a heart having a zone of infarcted tissue in a chamber thereof, comprising: providing a plurality of sutures having first and second ends; attaching said first ends to points on a wall of said chamber proximate said infarcted tissue; positioning an enclosure member substantially over said infarcted tissue; extending said plurality of sutures through said enclosure member; and attaching said second ends to a wall of said chamber to draw the infarcted tissue through said enclosure member.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
31 words
65 . The method of claim 64 , wherein said enclosure member has a perimeter not greater than a perimeter of said infarcted tissue before the infarcted tissue is drawn together.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
18 words
66 . The method of claim 64 , wherein said enclosure member is made of a rigid material.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
18 words
67 . The method of claim 64 , wherein said enclosure member is made of a semi-rigid material.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
18 words
68 . The method of claim 64 , wherein said enclosure member is made substantially of stainless steel.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
14 words
69 . The method of claim 64 , wherein said enclosure member is ring-shaped.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
35 words
70 . The method of claim 64 , wherein said attaching step includes attaching said second ends of said sutures to the chamber wall at substantially the same points that the first ends are attached.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
47 words
71 . The method of claim 70 , wherein said plurality of sutures each have lengths not greater than twice a distance from the point of attachment of the first end of said suture to said enclosure member before said tissue is drawn through said enclosure member.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
30 words
72 . The method of claim 71 , wherein said lengths of said plurality of sutures are non-uniform such that during said drawing step, said tissue is drawn in non-uniformly.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
23 words
73 . The method of claim 64 , wherein said plurality of sutures each have different lengths to draw said tissue in non-uniformly.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
80 words
74 . An apparatus for treating a heart having a zone of infarcted tissue in a chamber thereof, comprising: an enclosure member adapted to assume a first configuration during placement of said enclosure member around said infarcted tissue zone, and adapted to assume a second configuration after securing said enclosure member to a heart wall of said chamber to draw said infarcted tissue toward a center of the enclosure member and reduce a radius of curvature of the heart wall.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
80 words
74 . An apparatus for treating a heart having a zone of infarcted tissue in a chamber thereof, comprising: an enclosure member adapted to assume a first configuration during placement of said enclosure member around said infarcted tissue zone, and adapted to assume a second configuration after securing said enclosure member to a heart wall of said chamber to draw said infarcted tissue toward a center of the enclosure member and reduce a radius of curvature of the heart wall.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
39 words
75 . The apparatus of claim 74 , wherein said enclosure member includes a lumen through which a cord having a first end and a second end is inserted, said ends of said cord extending outside said enclosure member.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
42 words
76 . The apparatus of claim 74 , wherein said enclosure member is made of a shape memory material having a transformation temperature, said enclosure member having said first configuration below said transformation temperature and said second configuration above said transformation temperature.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
54 words
77 . The apparatus of claim 74 , wherein said enclosure member is made of a spring met al processed such that the enclosure m ember has the first configuration when said enclosure member is subject to external forces and has the second configuration when the enclosure member is subject to no external forces.
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