Cardiac massage apparatus and method
AssigneeTheracardia, Inc.
InventorsRodney A. Brenneman, Jay A. Lenker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device for performing minimally invasive closed chest heart massage comprises a support having a plurality of curved, deployable struts, optionally carrying a sheet or inflatable bladder for engaging the pericardium. The struts are delivered to the space between the pericardium and the posterior rib cage in a radially collapsed configuration and deployed radially outwardly with minimum advancement in the axial direction.
Claims12
A method for performing cardiac massage, said method comprising:
- advancing a plurality of struts through an intercostal space to a region over a pericardium;
- opening the struts along arcuate radially diverging paths between a posterior rib surface and the pericardium, wherein the distal tips of the struts are peripherally constrained by a torroidal bladder;
- inflating the torroidal bladder;
- and
- engaging the opened struts and inflated torroidal bladder against the pericardium to periodically compress the heart.
A method for performing cardiac massage, said method comprising:
- engaging a plurality of struts arranged in radially diverging, arcuate paths against a pericardium, wherein the distal tips of the struts are peripherally constrained by an inflated torroidal bladder;
- and
- reciprocating the struts against the pericardium to induce circulation.
A method for performing cardiac massage, said method comprising:
- advancing a blade from a blunt member to partially cut through intercostal skin over the pericardium of the patient;
- retracting the blade;
- advancing the blunt member to bluntly dissect an intercostal space between the posterior rib surface and the pericardium after the blade has been retracted;
- advancing a plurality of struts through the intercostal space to a region over a pericardium;
- opening the struts along arcuate radially diverging paths between a posterior rib surface and the pericardium;
- and
- engaging the opened struts against the pericardium to periodically compress the heart.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.