Devices and methods for use in performing transmyocardial coronary bypass
AssigneeVentrica, Inc.
InventorsDarin C. Gittings, A. Adam Sharkawy, Alan R. Rapacki, Gilbert S. Laroya
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Devices and methods utilized in performing transmyocardial coronary bypass include retractors used to engage and support myocardial tissue, and mechanisms for supporting coronary vessels so as to allow precise entry into a vessel lumen. In addition, various conduits are provided having a configuration that permits their positioning in a heart wall to place a coronary vessel in communication with a heart chamber.
Claims46
A device for engaging tissue of a coronary vessel or heart wall during a cardiovascular procedure, the device comprising:
- a first member;
- a second member coupled to the first member so as to permit relative movement of the first and second members;
- and
- a tissue engaging mechanism coupled to the first and second members so as to be movable between a first position and a second, actuated position, the tissue engaging mechanism including at least one tissue engaging member configured to engage body tissue when the tissue engaging mechanism is in the second actuated position;
- wherein relative movement of the first and second members moves the tissue engaging mechanism between the collapsed and expanded orientations to selectively place the tissue engaging member in engagement with body tissue.
A method for supporting heart tissue during a medical procedure, the method comprising steps of:
- providing a tissue support device having a tissue engaging mechanism configured to assume an expanded, tissue supporting orientation;
- positioning the tissue support device through the wall of a patient's heart and locating the tissue engaging mechanism adjacent heart tissue;
- and
- placing the tissue engaging mechanism in the expanded, tissue supporting orientation in engagement with the heart tissue.
A device for supporting a wall of a vascular structure, the device comprising:
- a support structure adapted to be removably positioned in the lumen of a vascular structure, the support structure comprising a plurality of support elements coupled together so as to be movable relative to each other, wherein moving the support elements relative to each other moves the support structure from a collapsed orientation to an expanded orientation in order to support a wall of a vascular structure;
- and
- wherein the support elements are sized and configured for positioning in the interior of the vascular structure such that when the support structure is in the expanded orientation the support elements engage the wall of the vascular structure to prevent the wall from collapsing.
A device for supporting a vascular structure, the device comprising:
- an introducer having a hollow interior;
- an elongated support member configured to be generally coiled when in an unbiased orientation and generally straight when in a biased orientation;
- wherein the interior of the introducer is sized and configured to receive the elongated support member and hold the support member in the generally straight, biased orientation;
- and
- wherein the elongated support member is moved from the straight, biased orientation within the interior of the introducer to the coiled, unbiased orientation upon entering the interior of the vascular structure to support the vascular structure.
A method for internally supporting a wall of a vascular structure, the method comprising steps of:
- (a) positioning a support within an interior of a vascular structure such that the support contacts and supports a wall of the vascular structure;
- and
- (b) introducing a medical device into the interior of the vascular structure by passing the device through the wall of the vascular structure and through the support.
A method for supporting a wall of a vascular structure at an area adjacent an incision in the wall of the vascular structure, the method comprising steps of:
- inserting a support through the incision in the wall of the vascular structure while the support is in a low profile orientation;
- positioning at least a portion of the support within the interior of the vascular structure;
- and
- moving the support from the low profile orientation into an expanded orientation so as to contact and support the wall of the vascular structure.
A device for stabilizing an area of a patient's heart adjacent a coronary vessel, the device comprising:
- a base configured to be positioned adjacent a coronary vessel of a patient's heart, the base having at least one opening for accessing the coronary vessel;
- at least one tissue engaging element coupled to the base so as to be movable with respect to the base, the tissue engaging element having a portion configured to securely engage the wall of a patient's heart in order to stabilize the wall of the heart upon moving the tissue engaging element with respect to the base;
- and
- an actuator for imparting relative movement to the base and the tissue engaging element in order to stabilize the heart while accessing the coronary vessel through the opening in the base.
A conduit for placing a coronary vessel of a patient's heart in communication with a heart chamber, the conduit comprising:
- a tubular element including first and second portions having different cross-sectional sizes, the tubular element having a bore defining a blood flow path;
- wherein the cross-section of the first portion of the tubular element is larger than the cross-section of the second portion of the tubular element such that the tubular element is generally funnel-shaped;
- and
- wherein the first and second portions of the tubular element are generally aligned and the bore defines a generally straight blood flow path.
A conduit for communicating a chamber of a patient's heart with a coronary vessel, the conduit comprising:
- an expandable stent including first and second ends and a length defined between the ends, the length of the stent including first and second portions having different cross-sectional sizes when the stent is expanded;
- wherein each of the first and second portions of the stent includes strut members disposed along a first direction when the stent is unexpanded and along a second direction when the stent is expanded, the second direction being transverse to the first direction;
- and
- wherein the strut members of the first portion are longer than the strut members of the second portion and the stent is generally funnel-shaped when expanded.
A device for use in a coronary vessel of a patient's heart, the device comprising:
- an expandable stent including a bore defining a blood flow path and first and second portions, the first and second portions having different cross-sectional sizes when the stent is expanded;
- wherein the first portion has a larger cross-sectional dimension than the second portion when the stent is expanded such that the stent is generally funnel-shaped when expanded;
- and
- wherein the first and second portions of the stent are constructed to provide the stent with maximum radial strength when expanded.
A method for placing a generally funnel-shaped conduit in a wall of a patient's heart to communicate a heart chamber with an interior of a coronary vessel located near the exterior of the heart, the method comprising steps of:
- (a) providing a conduit having a length, a first end, and a second end, wherein the conduit is generally straight and the second end has a larger cross-section than the first end such that the conduit is generally funnel-shaped;
- (b) positioning the conduit in the wall of the heart to communicate the heart chamber with the interior of the coronary vessel;
- and
- (c) orienting the conduit in the wall of the heart such that the first end is disposed adjacent the coronary vessel and the second end is disposed adjacent the heart chamber.
A conduit for placing a coronary vessel of a patient's heart in communication with a heart chamber, the conduit comprising:
- a tubular element configured to positioned in the wall of a patient's heart, the tubular element including first and second ends and a bore defining a blood flow path;
- and
- a vessel supporting mechanism carried by the tubular element, the vessel supporting mechanism being positioned on the conduit so as to contact and support the wall of a coronary vessel when the conduit is positioned in the heart wall.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.