Method and apparatus for closing off a portion of a heart ventricle
AssigneeBioVentrix, Inc.
InventorsSing-Fatt Chin, Lon S. Annest
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and methods to reduce ventricular volume are disclosed. The device takes the form of a transventricular anchor assembly, which presses a portion of the ventricular wall inward, thereby reducing the available volume of the ventricle. The anchor assembly is deployed using a curved introducer that may be inserted into one ventricle, through the septum and into the opposite ventricle. Barbs or protrusions along a tension member of the anchor assembly combined with a mechanical stop and a sealing member hold the device in place once deployed.
Claims20
An anchor device for treating a heart within a patient comprising:
- a tension member;
- a proximal anchor attached to a proximal end of the tension member;
- a needle attached to a distal end of the tension member, the needle including a tissue penetrating tip configured to penetrate through external walls of the heart and be moved out of the heart;
- and
- a second anchor configured to be slidably attached to the tension member;
- wherein the tension member is configured to be tensioned after the needle penetrates the external walls of the heart to advance the second anchor along at least a portion of the length of the tension member into engagement with one of the external walls of the heart.
A anchor device for treating a heart within a patient comprising:
- a tension member;
- an anchor attached to a proximal end of the tension member;
- a needle attached to a distal end of the tension member, the needle including a tissue penetrating tip that is configured for penetrating through external walls of the heart;
- and
- an additional anchor configured to be removably coupleable with the distal end of the tension member and slidable proximally along the tension member to engage an opposing external wall of the external walls of the heart to close a lower portion of the heart,
- wherein the tension member couples the needle and the anchor, and the tension member is configured to be tensioned after the needle penetrates through the external walls of the heart to advance the anchor into engagement with one of the external walls of the heart.
A method for applying an anchor to a heart comprising:
- penetrating external walls of the heart via a needle of an anchor device, the anchor device further comprising a tension member and an anchor attached to a proximal end of the tension member, wherein the needle is attached to a distal end of the tension member;
- pulling the needle through the external walls of the heart to advance the anchor, via the tension member, toward the heart;
- and
- engaging a first external wall of the external walls of the heart with the anchor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.