Patent US6537203B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6537203B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Cardiac disease treatment and device
Assignee: Mardil Inc
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Filing: 2000-05-04
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Granted: 2003-03-25
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Expires: 2020-05-04
Abstract
Abstract A jacket of biological compatible material has an internal volume dimensioned for an apex of the heart to be inserted into the volume and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. The jacket has a longitudinal dimension between upper and lower ends sufficient for the jacket to surround a lower portion of the heart with the jacket surrounding a valvular annulus of the heart and further surrounding the lower portion to cover at least the ventricular lower extremities of the heart. The jacket is adapted to be secured to the heart with the jacket surrounding at least the valvular annulus and the ventricular lower extremities. The jacket is adjustable on the heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of the heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for the jacket to constrain circumferential expansion of the heart beyond the maximum adjusted volume during diastole and to permit unimpeded contraction of the heart during systole.
Inventors
- 👤 Clifton A. Alferness
- 👤 Jai Shankar Raman
- 👤 John Melmouth Power
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:35
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2478; A61F2/2481; A61P; A61P9/00; A61P9/04; A61F2/0063; A61F2002/0068
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
310 words
A method for treating cardiac disease of a heart having a longitudinal axis from an apex to a base and having an upper portion and a lower portion divided by an A-V groove, said heart including a valvular annulus adjacent said A-V groove and ventricular lower extremities adjacent said apex, the method comprising: surgically accessing said heart; placing a jacket on said heart, said jacket comprising: flexible run resistant material comprising intertwined fibers; said intertwined fibers comprising multi-filament strands with each of said strands having a plurality of longitudinally extending filaments of substantially inelastic material, wherein opposing surfaces of said multi-filament strands define a cell structure; said jacket defining a volume between an open upper end and a lower end, said jacket dimensioned for said apex of said heart to be inserted into said volume through said open upper end and for said jacket to be slipped over said heart, said jacket further dimensioned for said jacket to have a longitudinal dimension between said upper and lower ends sufficient for said jacket to constrain said lower portion at least between said valvular annulus and said ventricular lower extremities; securing said jacket to said heart with said jacket having portions disposed on opposite sides of the heart between said valvular annulus and said ventricular lower extremities; adjusting said jacket to snugly conform to an external geometry of said heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for said jacket to substantially constrain circumferential expansion of said heart beyond said maximum adjusted volume during diastole and permit substantially unimpeded contraction of said heart during systole wherein said jacket is inelastic such that said device does not assist during systole or substantially impede filling of said heart during diastole prior to said heart reaching said maximum adjusted volume; and surgically closing access to said heart while leaving said jacket in place on said heart.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
310 words
A method for treating cardiac disease of a heart having a longitudinal axis from an apex to a base and having an upper portion and a lower portion divided by an A-V groove, said heart including a valvular annulus adjacent said A-V groove and ventricular lower extremities adjacent said apex, the method comprising: surgically accessing said heart; placing a jacket on said heart, said jacket comprising: flexible run resistant material comprising intertwined fibers; said intertwined fibers comprising multi-filament strands with each of said strands having a plurality of longitudinally extending filaments of substantially inelastic material, wherein opposing surfaces of said multi-filament strands define a cell structure; said jacket defining a volume between an open upper end and a lower end, said jacket dimensioned for said apex of said heart to be inserted into said volume through said open upper end and for said jacket to be slipped over said heart, said jacket further dimensioned for said jacket to have a longitudinal dimension between said upper and lower ends sufficient for said jacket to constrain said lower portion at least between said valvular annulus and said ventricular lower extremities; securing said jacket to said heart with said jacket having portions disposed on opposite sides of the heart between said valvular annulus and said ventricular lower extremities; adjusting said jacket to snugly conform to an external geometry of said heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for said jacket to substantially constrain circumferential expansion of said heart beyond said maximum adjusted volume during diastole and permit substantially unimpeded contraction of said heart during systole wherein said jacket is inelastic such that said device does not assist during systole or substantially impede filling of said heart during diastole prior to said heart reaching said maximum adjusted volume; and surgically closing access to said heart while leaving said jacket in place on said heart.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of placing a jacket on said heart further comprises a step of gathering excess amounts of said material following placement of said jacket over said heart to snugly conform said material to an external geometry of said heart.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of placing a jacket on said heart comprises placing said jacket to at least partially cover and constrain said upper portion of said heart.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising a step of threading an electrical element through said jacket material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein said electrical element is a pacer lead.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 5 further comprising a step of pacing said heart to assist contraction of said heart during systole.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein: said jacket material is expandable along a first material axis in response to a force parallel to said first axis greater than an expansion of said material along a second axis in response to a force of equal magnitude parallel to said second axis; said jacket material is oriented for said first axis to extend along the longitudinal axis of the heart.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said jacket further comprises a liner sized and positioned to be disposed between said heart and said jacket, said liner formed of an anti-fibrotic material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said anti-fibrosis lining comprises a PTFE coating on said jacket.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said jacket is open at said lower end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said jacket is closed at said lower end.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said material is selected from a group of polytetrafluoroethylene, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, polypropylene, polyester or stainless steel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein the jacket is electrically permeable.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said intertwined fibers are of a knit construction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein said intertwined fibers are of an atlas knit construction.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
376 words
A method for treating cardiac disease of a heart having a longitudinal axis from an apex to a base and having an upper portion and a lower portion divided by an A-V groove, said heart including a valvular annulus adjacent said A-V groove and ventricular lower extremities adjacent said apex, the method comprising: surgically accessing said heart; placing a jacket on said heart, said jacket comprising: flexible run resistant material comprising intertwined fibers; said intertwined fibers comprising multi-filament strands with each of said strands having a plurality of longitudinally extending filaments of substantially inelastic material, wherein opposing surfaces of said multi-filament strands define a cell structure; said jacket defining a volume between an open upper end and a lower end, said jacket dimensioned for said apex of said heart to be inserted into said volume through said open upper end and for said jacket to be slipped over said heart, said jacket further dimensioned for said jacket to have a longitudinal dimension between said upper and lower ends sufficient for said jacket to constrain said lower portion at least between said valvular annulus and said ventricular lower extremities; orienting said jacket on said heart such that a first material axis extends along said longitudinal axis of said heart, wherein expansion in response to a force parallel to said first axis is greater than expansion of said material along a second axis in response to a force of equal magnitude parallel to said second axis, wherein said second axis is perpendicular to said first axis; securing said jacket to said heart with said jacket having portions disposed on opposite sides of the heart between said valvular annulus and said ventricular lower extremities; adjusting said jacket to snugly conform to an external geometry of said heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for said jacket to substantially constrain circumferential expansion of said heart beyond said maximum adjusted volume during diastole and permit substantially unimpeded contraction of said heart during systole wherein said jacket is inelastic such that said device does not assist during systole or substantially impede filling of said heart during diastole prior to said heart reaching said maximum adjusted volume; and surgically closing access to said heart while leaving said jacket in place on said heart.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
376 words
A method for treating cardiac disease of a heart having a longitudinal axis from an apex to a base and having an upper portion and a lower portion divided by an A-V groove, said heart including a valvular annulus adjacent said A-V groove and ventricular lower extremities adjacent said apex, the method comprising: surgically accessing said heart; placing a jacket on said heart, said jacket comprising: flexible run resistant material comprising intertwined fibers; said intertwined fibers comprising multi-filament strands with each of said strands having a plurality of longitudinally extending filaments of substantially inelastic material, wherein opposing surfaces of said multi-filament strands define a cell structure; said jacket defining a volume between an open upper end and a lower end, said jacket dimensioned for said apex of said heart to be inserted into said volume through said open upper end and for said jacket to be slipped over said heart, said jacket further dimensioned for said jacket to have a longitudinal dimension between said upper and lower ends sufficient for said jacket to constrain said lower portion at least between said valvular annulus and said ventricular lower extremities; orienting said jacket on said heart such that a first material axis extends along said longitudinal axis of said heart, wherein expansion in response to a force parallel to said first axis is greater than expansion of said material along a second axis in response to a force of equal magnitude parallel to said second axis, wherein said second axis is perpendicular to said first axis; securing said jacket to said heart with said jacket having portions disposed on opposite sides of the heart between said valvular annulus and said ventricular lower extremities; adjusting said jacket to snugly conform to an external geometry of said heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for said jacket to substantially constrain circumferential expansion of said heart beyond said maximum adjusted volume during diastole and permit substantially unimpeded contraction of said heart during systole wherein said jacket is inelastic such that said device does not assist during systole or substantially impede filling of said heart during diastole prior to said heart reaching said maximum adjusted volume; and surgically closing access to said heart while leaving said jacket in place on said heart.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 5 further comprising a step of pacing said heart.
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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) | 2006-03-24 | 2006-09-23 | 2007-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-03-24 | 2010-09-23 | 2011-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-03-24 | 2014-09-23 | 2015-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |