Device for shaping infarcted heart tissue and method of using the device

#The present invention relates generally to devices and methods that can deliver thermal energy to tissue. More particularly, the present invention is directed to devices and methods that can deliver thermal energy to an area of infarcted heart tissue which shrinks and thickens the infarcted area to thereby improve cardiac function.

#The mammalian heart has four chambers for receiving and pumping blood to various parts of the body. During normal operation of the heart, oxygen poor blood returning from the body enters the right atrium via the inferior vena cava, superior vena cava, coronary sinus, or the coronary veins. The right atrium fills and eventually contracts to expel the blood through the tricuspid valve and into the right ventricle. The right ventricle fills full of blood and then contracts beginning from the apex of the ventricle to the base of the ventricle and forces blood through the pulmonary valve to the pulmonary arteries and to the lungs. The blood becomes oxygenated at the lungs and then returns from the lungs to the left atrium via the pulmonary veins. The left atrium contracts to expel blood through the mitral valve and into the left ventricle. The left ventricle then fills full of blood and then contracts beginning from the apex of the ventricle to the base of the ventricle and forces blood through the aortic valve, into the aorta, and eventually to the body tissues.

#The major blood supply to the heart is derived from the coronary arteries, two arteries that branch off from the aorta just distal from the aortic valve. The right coronary artery provides blood to the right side of the heart, the left coronary artery supplies blood to the left side of the heart including the left ventricle. Coronary artery disease usually affects the left coronary artery reducing the blood flow to the left ventricle. When the blood flow supplying oxygen and nutrients cannot meet the demands of the heart, the heart becomes ischemic and the patient usually suffers from chest pain (angina). When the flow of blood completely stops due to an occlusion of a coronary artery, the heart muscle becomes very ischemic and will die if blood flow is not restored in a few minutes.

#As used herein, like reference numeral will designate similar elements in the various embodiments of the present invention wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a plan view of a heating device that can deliver radio frequency energy and monitor temperature;

#FIG. 2 is a plan view of a radio frequency generator and controller;

#The present invention provides a device and method for heating myocardial scar tissue to a desired temperature and controlling the device to maintain that temperature for a desired period of time. Turning now to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the heating device 10 is generally illustrated. The heating device has a proximal end 11 and a distal end 13.

#At the proximal end is provided a connector 15 that can be used to connect to a power supply or an extension cable. A flexible electrical cord 19 is connected to the connector at one end. At the other end of the cord is a handle 21 for holding and using the device. Connected to the proximal end of the handle is a stem 23 which spans from the handle to the heat delivering member 25.

#FIG. 2 illustrates a controller box 27 that supplies power to the heating device. The controller box is connected to a standard electrical outlet and delivers power to the heating device. The controller box is provided with a display 29 that shows the power settings, duration of the power and the temperature the device is to be controlled to. The time duration, temperature, and maximum power to be used is controlled by the operator of the device and are adjusted via controllers 28 on the controlling box. The box is also provided with a standard on/off switch 33 and a connection port 31 for connecting the heating device to the box.