US6095968A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Reinforcement device
Assignee: Cardio Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1999-04-08
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Granted: 2000-08-01
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Expires: 2019-04-08
Abstract
Abstract A heart assist device intended for the long term support of certain late-stage cardiac failure states, particularly those known in the practice of cardiology to be called a dilated cardiomyopathy. A method is described wherein a "viscous cardioplasty jacket" is fashioned to provide a buttressing effect to the ventricular heart walls to thus render a more efficient cardiac contractile mechanism whereby the patient is afforded improved heart function to allow increased physical activities. Such a viscous compliant enclosure of the ventricular heart masses can be utilized concurrently with recognized drug therapy which is sometime lacking in beneficial effect for these patients and is far less traumatic than the currently practiced surgical cardiomyoplasty (CMP) procedure. Application of this device may be accomplished through a relatively non-invasive endoscopic procedure in a more refined methodology of anatomical implantation of the device.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert V. Snyders
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:11
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2478; A61F2/2481; A61M; A61M60/00; A61M60/10; A61M60/122; A61M60/165; A61M60/191; A61M60/20; A61M60/289; A61M60/40; A61M60/465; A61M60/468; A61M60/50; A61M60/508; A61M60/538; A61M60/592; A61M60/80; A61M60/855; A61M60/871; A61M60/88
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of implanting a long term cardiac support device in a pericardial sac for a failing heart, the method including the steps of: a) enclosing a heart within the pericardial sac and in which such support device has an outer inelastic ply and in inner elastic lining ply which abuts the ventricular masses of the heart; b) instilling a viscous fluid into the device between said inelastic ply and elastic lining ply; and c) monitoring the pressure of the viscous fluid in the device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of implanting a long term cardiac support device in a pericardial sac for a failing heart, the method including the steps of: a) enclosing a heart within the pericardial sac and in which such support device has an outer inelastic ply and in inner elastic lining ply which abuts the ventricular masses of the heart; b) instilling a viscous fluid into the device between said inelastic ply and elastic lining ply; and c) monitoring the pressure of the viscous fluid in the device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said inelastic ply is adjustable to facilitate circumferential fitting of said device to the heart.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 1 wherein no or minimal pressurization in said device is registered with the result of a viscous cardioplasty reinforcement of the ventricular wall with a resultant reduction in left ventricular and right ventricular diameter and volumes to effect reduction of wall stress thus effectively remodeling of the diastolic and systolic volumetric character of the heart anatomy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said viscous fluid is a high viscosity silicone biocompatible liquid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said instilling the viscous fluid is a simple gravity fill without any superseding pressure being required.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein minimal pressurization is developed within the device in the range of 2 to 10 mm Hg above the gravity fill at atmospheric pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the silicone or other viscous fill fluid has a specific gravity of 0.97 or 0.98.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said device has a diminutive structural dimension such that the pericardial sac can be saved with an ideally congruent fit of the device within the pericardial sac which allows a free choice of closure of the pericardial sac.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of implanting a long term cardiac support device for a failing heat, the method including: a) filling the device from a filling line with any biocompatible polydimethylsilicone or fluoropropylsilicone or equivalent high viscosity fluid of similar density; b) a fluid reservoir for said fill fluid; and c) implanting said reservoir in the upper abdominal subcutaneous space for refilling of said device.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of implanting a long term cardiac support device for a failing heat, the method including: a) filling the device from a filling line with any biocompatible polydimethylsilicone or fluoropropylsilicone or equivalent high viscosity fluid of similar density; b) a fluid reservoir for said fill fluid; and c) implanting said reservoir in the upper abdominal subcutaneous space for refilling of said device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the junction of the device and the fluid fill line includes a flexible portion to allow free positioning of the fill line.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method set forth in claim 9 wherein said device may be filled by a syringing flow from an external viscous fluid container and the fill line plugged for revisiting in the subcutaneous site.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of implanting within the pericardial sac a long term cardiac support device for a failing heart, the method including: a) implanting within the pericardial sac a long term cardiac support device having an outer inelastic wall and an inner elastic lining in position to abut the ventricular masses of the heart; b) a conduit fill line open to said cardiac support device; c) an implantible reservoir having a junction with said conduit fill line; d) an adapter syringe for attachment to a fluid reservoir and to said conduit fill line; and e) an operable valve in the junction of said flexible reservoir and the fill line for charging fluid from said reservoir to said device.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of implanting within the pericardial sac a long term cardiac support device for a failing heart, the method including: a) implanting within the pericardial sac a long term cardiac support device having an outer inelastic wall and an inner elastic lining in position to abut the ventricular masses of the heart; b) a conduit fill line open to said cardiac support device; c) an implantible reservoir having a junction with said conduit fill line; d) an adapter syringe for attachment to a fluid reservoir and to said conduit fill line; and e) an operable valve in the junction of said flexible reservoir and the fill line for charging fluid from said reservoir to said device.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-08-01 | 2004-01-31 | 2004-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-08-01 | 2008-01-31 | 2008-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-08-01 | 2012-01-31 | 2012-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |