Method and apparatus for the surgical treatment of congestive heart failure

A method of treating cardiac disease comprising:

• surgically accessing a ventricle;
• inserting within the ventricle a resilient band comprising, at least one spring element operatively associated axially with the resilient band to allow axial stretching and compression of the resilient band, the resilient band being configured to limit the ventricle to a select end diastolic internal diameter, the resilient band further comprises a mitral annuloplasty ring extending axially of the resilient band with the resilient band formed into a loop;
• placing the resilient band into contact with the inner circumferential periphery of the ventricle;
• forming the resilient band into a loop of a diameter about equal to an end diastolic diameter of an inner circumferential periphery of the ventricle;
• and
• attaching the mitral annuloplasty ring to the myocardium below but proximate the mitral annulus.

A method of augmenting systolic contraction and diastolic relaxation of a heart ventricle comprising:

• providing a bistable element configured to engage an inner circumferential periphery of a ventricle, the bistable element having a contracted stable state and an expanded stable state corresponding to a desired end systolic diameter and end diastolic diameter, respectively;
• surgically accessing the ventricle;
• inserting the bistable element within the ventricle;
• and
• attaching the bistable element to a portion of myocardium defining the inner circumferential periphery of the ventricle.

An apparatus implantable in a heart ventricle comprising:

• a resilient band;
• a spring element operatively associated axially with the resilient band;
• means for joining the ends of the resilient band into a circle;
• the resilient band being configured, with the ends joined, to engage an inner circumferential periphery of a ventricle, with the spring, element in a relaxed state during diastole of the ventricle;
• means operatively associated with the resilient band for limiting the ventricle to a select end diastolic internal diameter;
• and
• a mitral annuloplasty ring extending axially of the resilient band with the resilient band formed into a circle.

A method of treating cardiac disease comprising:

• a) providing a resilient hand having at least one spring element operatively associated axially with the resilient band to allow axial stretching and compression of the resilient hand and means for limiting axial stretching of the resilient band to a select diameter, comprising a mitral annuloplasty ring extending axially of the resilient band with the resilient band formed into a circle;
• b) surgically accessing a left ventricle of a heart;
• c) placing the resilient band into contact with the inner circumferential periphery of the ventricle;
• d) forming the resilient hand into a loop of a diameter about equal to an end diastolic diameter of an inner circumferential periphery of the ventricle;
• and
• e) attaching the resilient band loop to the myocardium defining the inner circumferential periphery of the ventricle;
• and
• f) attaching the mitral annuloplasty ring to the myocardium below but proximate the mitral annulus.