In-vivo method and device for improving diastolic function of the left ventricle

An in-vivo device for improving diastolic function of the left ventricle of the heart, comprising:

• at least one component featuring physicochemical property and behavior for potentially exerting a radially outward expansive force or pressure to at least one part of wall region of the left ventricle during ventricular diastole, whereby:
• (a) said device is operatively connected in a rest condition to the left ventricle of the heart,
• (b) said potential radially outward expansive force or pressure of said at least one component dynamically increases to a pre-determined magnitude during ventricular systole of the heart, and
• (c) said pre-determined magnitude of said potential radially outward expansive force or pressure of said at least one component is dynamically converted into a corresponding kinetic radially outward expansive force or pressure applied to said wall region of the left ventricle during ventricular diastole of the heart, for reducing intracardiac hydrostatic pressure during said ventricular diastole, thereby, improving the diastolic function of the left ventricle of the heart.

An anatomically-compatible and physiologically-compatible in vivo device for improving diastolic function of either the left or right ventricle of the heart, comprising:

• at least one elastic component that is capable of being operatively connected to the external surface of the left or right ventricle of the heart by means of one or more connecting elements,
• wherein said at least one elastic component comprises a plurality of essentially longitudinal members which are arranged such that the lateral separation between adjacent longitudinal members may be increased or decreased in response to elastic deformation of said elastic component,
• and wherein said essentially longitudinal members are arranged relative to each other such that said elastic component is curved in both the vertical and horizontal planes, such that the inner surface of said elastic component may be adapted to the curvature of the external ventricular surface of the heart, or a portion thereof,
• such that said at least one elastic component is capable of exerting both a radially outward expansive force and a tangentially-directed force on the external surface of the left ventricular wall to which said component may be connected by means of said one or more connecting elements.