Intrapericardial assist device and associated method
OwnerPeter J. Wilkinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An intrapericardial assist device and method comprises an electrode carrier in the form of an inflatable cuff-shaped balloon adapted for juxtaposition to a patient's heart in an intrapericardial space. An electrical contact or electrode is disposed on the contact surface of the carrier for conducting electrical energy to the heart upon an insertion of the electrode carrier into the intrapericardial space and upon inflation of the balloon so that the electrode engages cardiac tissues.
Claims19
An intrapericardial assist device comprising:
- an electrode carrier having a surface for contacting a patient's heart in an intrapericardial space;
- electrical contact means disposed on said surface for conducting electrical energy to the heart upon an insertion of said electrode carrier into the intrapericardial space;
- means operatively connected to said contact means for supplying electrical energy to said contact means;
- and
- means connected to said electrode carrier for maintaining said surface in contact with the patient's heart,
- said electrode carrier being a collapsible member which has a configuration of a slotted cuff in an expanded configuration, said electrode carrier having a predetermined size and shape in said expanded configuration so that said electrode carrier is disposable in the intrapericardial space in juxtaposition to the patient's heart.
An intrapericardial assist device comprising:
- an electrode carrier having a surface for contacting a patient's heart in an intrapericardial space;
- electrical contact means disposed on said surface for conducting electrical energy to the heart upon an insertion of said electrode carrier into the intrapericardial space;
- means operatively connected to said contact means for supplying electrical energy to said contact means;
- and
- means connected to said electrode carrier for maintaining said surface in contact with the patient's heart;
- said electrode carrier having the form of a balloon, said means for maintaining including inflation means operatively connected to said electrode carrier for inflating said electrode carrier from a folded collapsed configuration to an unfolded expanded configuration.
A surgical method for reactivating a malfunctioning heart, comprising the steps of:
- providing an inflatable balloon in a collapsed configuration, said balloon being provided with an electrode on a surface adapted for contact with a patient's heart;
- inserting said balloon into an intrapericardial space about the patient's heart;
- upon insertion of said balloon into the intrapericardial space, inflating said balloon to place said electrode in electrically conductive contact with the heart of the patient;
- and
- upon inflation of said balloon, conducting a voltage through the electrode to the patient's heart.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.