US6682475B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Tension indicator for cardiac support device and method therefore
Assignee: Mardil Inc
•
Filing: 2002-06-11
•
Granted: 2004-01-27
•
Expires: 2022-06-11
Abstract
Abstract A tension indicator and a method for treating cardiac disease using the tension indicator is provided. The tension indicator is configured for placement between a cardiac support device and the epicardial surface to determine the pressure exerted by the device on the epicardial surface.
Inventors
- 👤 James Edgar Cox
- 👤 Michael J. Girard
- 👤 Jody Rivers
- 👤 J. Edward Shapland
- 👤 Patrick Dean Andre
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 08:21
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2478; A61F2/2481
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A method for treating cardiac disease of a heart, said heart having a diastolic volume and a systolic volume, an epicardial surface and an upper and lower portion, the method comprising: surgically accessing said heart; placing a cardiac support device on said heart, said device comprising flexible material dimensioned to cover at least a portion of said heart, wherein said device defines a volume that is greater than said diastolic volume of said portion of said heart; positioning a tension indicator between said device and said epicardial surface of said heart; gathering said material following placement of said device over said heart to snugly conform said material to an external geometry of said heart, wherein said device applies a pressure to said epicardial surface; monitoring the pressure applied by said device on said epicardial surface; adjusting said device to snugly conform to an external geometry of said heart wherein said device applies a preselected pressure on said epicardial surface; removing said tension indicator; and surgically closing access to said heart while leaving said device in place on said heart.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
179 words
A method for treating cardiac disease of a heart, said heart having a diastolic volume and a systolic volume, an epicardial surface and an upper and lower portion, the method comprising: surgically accessing said heart; placing a cardiac support device on said heart, said device comprising flexible material dimensioned to cover at least a portion of said heart, wherein said device defines a volume that is greater than said diastolic volume of said portion of said heart; positioning a tension indicator between said device and said epicardial surface of said heart; gathering said material following placement of said device over said heart to snugly conform said material to an external geometry of said heart, wherein said device applies a pressure to said epicardial surface; monitoring the pressure applied by said device on said epicardial surface; adjusting said device to snugly conform to an external geometry of said heart wherein said device applies a preselected pressure on said epicardial surface; removing said tension indicator; and surgically closing access to said heart while leaving said device in place on said heart.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said tension indicator comprises a pressure sensor operably connected to a pressure monitor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said pressure sensor comprises an electromechanical pressure transducer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said pressure sensor comprises an electromechanical force transducer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said pressure sensor comprises a fluid filled bladder and a pressure transducer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said pressure sensor comprises a fluid filled bladder and a mechanical gauge.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 6 , wherein the mechanical gauge includes a ball and stem arrangement.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 5 , wherein the bladder is constructed from a material comprising silicone or polyurethane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said pressure sensor has a surface area between 1 cm 2 and 1 in. 2 .
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said pressure sensor has a thickness between 3 mm and 7 mm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said pressure sensor has a pressure measurement range from 1 mmHg to 40 mmHg.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 11 wherein said pressure sensor has an accuracy within 1 mmHg.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising a step of measuring a baseline diastolic pressure of a left ventricle of said heart prior to said step of placing said jacket on said heart.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising a step of measuring a baseline diastolic pressure of a right ventricle of said heart prior to said step of placing said jacket on said heart.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 14 wherein said jacket is adjusted to apply a pressure of between 50% and 75% of the Right Ventricular End Diastolic Pressure (RVEDP).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said jacket is adjusted to apply a pressure of between 4 mmHg and 20 mmHg on said epicardial surface at end diastole.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said jacket is adjusted to apply a pressure of between 2 mmHg and 10 mmHg on said epicardial surface at end systole.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 1 further comprising a step of measuring a baseline applied pressure prior to said step of gathering said material to snugly conform said material to an external geometry of said heart.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The 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 support said upper portion of said heart.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said material is a knit material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said jacket is open at said lower end.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said jacket is closed at said lower end.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said material is selected from a group of polytetrafluoroethylene, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or stainless steel.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said device is configured as a jacket that defines a volume between an open upper end and a lower end, said jacket dimensioned to surround at least said lower portion of said heart, wherein said jacket defines a volume that is greater than a diastolic volume of said heart.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
80 words
A device for treating a cardiac disease of a heart, said heart having a diastolic volume and a systolic volume, an epicardial surface and an upper and lower portion, the device comprising: flexible material dimensioned to cover at least a portion of said heart, wherein said device defines a volume that is greater than said diastolic volume of said portion of said heart; a tension indicator configured to be positioned between said device and said epicardial surface of said heart.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
80 words
A device for treating a cardiac disease of a heart, said heart having a diastolic volume and a systolic volume, an epicardial surface and an upper and lower portion, the device comprising: flexible material dimensioned to cover at least a portion of said heart, wherein said device defines a volume that is greater than said diastolic volume of said portion of said heart; a tension indicator configured to be positioned between said device and said epicardial surface of said heart.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device according to claim 25 , wherein said tension indicator is removable.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device according to claim 25 wherein said tension indicator comprises a pressure sensor operably connected to a pressure monitor.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device according to claim 27 wherein said pressure sensor comprises an electromechanical pressure transducer.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device according to claim 27 wherein said pressure sensor comprises an electromechanical force transducer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device according to claim 27 wherein said pressure sensor comprises a fluid filled bladder and a pressure transducer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device according to claim 27 wherein said pressure sensor comprises a fluid filled bladder and a mechanical gauge.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device according to claim 31 , wherein the mechanical gauge includes a ball and stem arrangement.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device according to claim 30 , wherein the bladder is constructed from a material comprising silicone or polyurethane.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device according to claim 27 wherein said pressure sensor has a surface area between 1 cm 2 and 1 in. 2 .
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device according to claim 27 wherein said pressure sensor has a thickness between 3 mm and 7 mm.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device according to claim 27 wherein said pressure sensor has a pressure measurement range from 1 mmHg to 40 mmHg.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 36 wherein said pressure sensor has an accuracy within 1 mmHg.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device according to claim 25 wherein said jacket is configured to at least partially cover and support said upper portion of said heart.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device according to claim 25 wherein said material is a knit material.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device according to claim 25 wherein said material is selected from a group of polytetrafluoroethylene, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or stainless steel.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
56 words
The device according to claim 25 wherein said device is configured as a jacket that defines a volume between an open upper end and a lower end, said jacket dimensioned to surround at least said lower portion of said heart, wherein said jacket defines a volume that is greater than a diastolic volume of said heart.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device according to claim 41 wherein said jacket is open at said lower end.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device according to claim 41 wherein said jacket is closed at said lower end.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
72 words
A kit for treating cardiac disease of a heart, said kit comprising: a jacket comprising flexible material defining a volume between an open upper end and a lower end, said jacket dimensioned to surround at least a lower portion of said heart, wherein said jacket defines a volume that is greater than a diastolic volume of said heart; and a tension indicator comprising a pressure sensor operably connected to a pressure monitor.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
72 words
A kit for treating cardiac disease of a heart, said kit comprising: a jacket comprising flexible material defining a volume between an open upper end and a lower end, said jacket dimensioned to surround at least a lower portion of said heart, wherein said jacket defines a volume that is greater than a diastolic volume of said heart; and a tension indicator comprising a pressure sensor operably connected to a pressure monitor.
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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) | 2007-01-26 | 2007-07-28 | 2008-01-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-01-26 | 2011-07-28 | 2012-01-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-01-26 | 2015-07-28 | 2016-01-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |