Systems and methods for assisting cardiac valve coaptation

Claim 2

1 . A apparatus for reinforcing a heart, the apparatus comprising: at least one anchoring device secured to a heart; and a cardiac assist device captured by the anchoring device and surrounding designated portions of the heart to aid alignment and coaptation of one or more valves of the heart.

Claim 3

2 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the cardiac assist device comprises a bio-compatible material.

Claim 4

3 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the cardiac assist device further comprises an open first end opposite a closed second end, and a seam about a periphery of the first end, an apex of the heart approaching the second end of the material when the heartis received within the material.

Claim 5

4 . The apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the seam is captured by the anchoring device, tightened and secured thereto to fit the cardiac assist device to the designated portions of the heart.

Claim 6

5 . The apparatus according to claim 4 , further comprising sutures to secure the seam in position.

Claim 7

6 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the cardiac assist device comprises at least one strap, the strap surrounding designated portions of the heart.

Claim 8

7 . The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the strap further comprises opposed ends having securing means to secure the strap surrounding the designated portions of the heart.

Claim 9

8 . The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the securing means is selected from a group consisting of sutures, zippers, snaps, clips, tie-knots, cable-ties, or twists.

Claim 10

9 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the cardiac assist device further comprises an open first end opposite an open second end, the first end having a peripheral seam, wherein an apex of the heart approaches the second end when the heart is received within the material.

Claim 11

10 . The apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the seam is captured by the anchoring devices, tightened and secured thereto to fit the material to the designated portions of the heart.

Claim 12

11 . The apparatus according to claim 9 , further comprising sutures to secure the seam in place.

Claim 13

12 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the cardiac assist device further comprises an open first end, a second end opposite the first end, and at least one drawstring operative to vary the size of the cardiac assist device.

Claim 14

13 . The apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the at least one drawstring is captured by one or more anchoring device, and tightened to fit the material to the designated portion of the heart.

Claim 15

14 . The apparatus according to claim 12 , further comprising two or more drawstrings operative to vary the size of the cardiac assist device, each drawstring located at different portions of the heart.

Claim 16

15 . A method of treating dilation in portions of a heart and/or misalignment and poor coaptation of one or more cardiac valves of the heart, the method comprising: providing at least one opening through a chest wall of a patient, the openings providing access into the chest cavity of the patient; inserting at least one anchoring device through one of the at least one openings; inserting a grasping instrument through one of the at least one openings, the grasping instrument having a proximal end extending externally from the chest cavity for manipulation by a medical professional, the grasping instrument further having grasping elements at a distal end thereof; inserting visualizing means through one of the at least one openings for permitting a medical professional to view procedures within the chest cavity; placing and securing the at least one anchoring device at a designated position on the heart; inserting a cardiac assist device into the chest cavity through one of the at least one openings; positioning the cardiac assist device within the at least one anchoring device; and capturing the cardiac assist device within the at least one anchoring device.

Claim 17

15 . A method of treating dilation in portions of a heart and/or misalignment and poor coaptation of one or more cardiac valves of the heart, the method comprising: providing at least one opening through a chest wall of a patient, the openings providing access into the chest cavity of the patient; inserting at least one anchoring device through one of the at least one openings; inserting a grasping instrument through one of the at least one openings, the grasping instrument having a proximal end extending externally from the chest cavity for manipulation by a medical professional, the grasping instrument further having grasping elements at a distal end thereof; inserting visualizing means through one of the at least one openings for permitting a medical professional to view procedures within the chest cavity; placing and securing the at least one anchoring device at a designated position on the heart; inserting a cardiac assist device into the chest cavity through one of the at least one openings; positioning the cardiac assist device within the at least one anchoring device; and capturing the cardiac assist device within the at least one anchoring device.

Claim 18

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein placing and securing the one or more anchoring devices at the designated portions of the heart comprises placing and securing the one or more anchoring devices along a circumference of the heart.

Claim 19

17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein positioning the cardiac assist device comprises positioning a strap having opposed ends through at least one anchoring device and the opposed ends of the strap being pulled tight and secured surrounding the designated portions of the heart.

Claim 20

18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising securing the opposed ends of the strap by one of a group consisting of sutures, zippers, snaps, clips, tie-knots, cable-ties, and twists.

Claim 21

19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein inserting the cardiac assist device comprises inserting the strap, the strap being comprised of a bio-compatible material.

Claim 22

20 . The method of claim 15 , wherein positioning the cardiac assist device comprises positioning two or more straps at designated portions of the heart.

Claim 23

21 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising monitoring and achieving improved cardiac function prior to capturing the cardiac assist device within the at least one anchoring device.

Claim 24

22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the monitoring is performed by an echocardiogam.

Claim 25

23 . The method of claim 15 , wherein inserting the cardiac assist device comprises inserting a cardiac assist device having a first end opposite a second end, the first end having a peripheral seam that is placed within the anchoring devices and captured at the designated portion of the heart.

Claim 26

24 . The method of claim 23 , wherein inserting the cardiac assist device further comprises inserting a cardiac assist device having an open first end and a closed second end, an apical region of the heart approaching the closed second end when the heart is received in the material.

Claim 27

25 . The method of claim 23 , wherein inserting the cardiac assist device further comprises inserting a cardiac assist device having an open first end and an open second end, an apical region of the heart approaching the open second end when the heart is received in the material.

Claim 28

26 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising gathering excess material of the cardiac assist device using a material gathering means to fit the material to the designated portions of the heart.

Claim 29

27 . The method of claim 26 , wherein gathering the excess material further comprises the material gathering means as a reduction ring.