Cardiac assist method and apparatus
OwnerSimon Marcus Hornerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for augmenting cardio function. Dimensional characteristics of the heart are modified cyclically by engaging a member between at least two points on the myocardium of the heart and cyclically varying the length of the member. This controls the spacing between the engaged parts of the myocardium, thereby improving cardiac function. The member may extend across the left ventricular cavity or between points spaced apart around the left ventricular cavity.
Claims24
An apparatus for augmenting cardiac function, comprising means for cyclically modifying dimensional characteristics of a heart, the modifying means comprising a member extending between and engageable with at least two points on the myocardium of the heart, and means for controlling the spacing between the said at least two points on the myocardium, by applying tension to the member, wherein the member is adapted to traverse the left ventricular cavity.
A method for augmenting cardiac function, wherein dimensional characteristics of a heart are modified cyclically, the dimensional characteristics being modified by attaching a member to at least two points on the myocardium of the heart so that the member extends between said points, and cyclically modifying the length of the member to control the spacing between the said at least two points on the myocardium.
A surgical procedure for installing a left ventricular assist device to augment cardiac function, wherein a cable is inserted into the heart to traverse the left ventricular cavity, the distal end of the cable is attached to the myocardium of the heart, a sheath through which the cable extends is positioned such that the distal end of the sheath bears against the myocardium at a point spaced from the distal end of the cable, and an actuator is connected to the cable and sheath to enable control of the spacing between the distal ends of the cable and sheath.
A surgical procedure for installing a left ventricular assist device to augment cardiac function, wherein at least one member is connected between at least two points of attachment on the myocardium adjacent the left ventricular cavity, the member containing a device for controlling the length of the member between the points of attachment, and the control device is connected to an actuator adapted to control the spacing between the points of attachment.
An apparatus for augmenting cardiac function, comprising means for cyclically modifying dimensional characteristics of a heart, the modifying means comprising a member extending between and attachable to at least two points on the myocardium of the heart, and means for controlling the spacing between the said at least two points on the myocardium, by applying tension to the member, wherein the member is constructed and arranged to extend generally linearly between said two points on the myocardium of the heart once attached thereto.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.