Flow reducing implant

Abstract

A flow reducing implant for reducing blood flow in a blood vessel having a cross sectional dimension, the flow reducing implant comprising a hollow element adapted for placement in the blood vessel defining a flow passage therethrough, said flow passage comprising at least two sections, one with a larger diameter and one with a smaller diameter, wherein said smaller diameter is smaller than a cross section of the blood vessel. A plurality of tabs anchor, generally parallel to the blood vessel wall, are provided in some embodiments of the invention.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 534,968, filed Mar. 27, 2000 and a continuation-in-part of PCT application PCT / L01 / 00284, filed Mar. 27, 2001, which designates the US and which published in English, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application also claims the priority of Israel applications 145750, filed Oct. 4, 2001 and 151162, filed Aug. 8, 2002, the disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to implants for reducing flow through bodily conduits, for example, blood vessels. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The heart pumps blood through the body. The heart itself is fed by coronary arteries that end at capillaries. The capillaries are drained by a network of coronary veins, that (typically) flow into a vein known as the coronary sinus. The coronary sinus is a short, large diameter vein that is substanti...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] An aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to an anchor for a flow reducing implants adapted for insertion into a blood vessel. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, one or more tabs are provided on a circumference of the reducing implant. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, these tabs engage the blood vessel wall if the implant moves axially relative to the blood vessel and are, for example, extended axially towards or away from the reducing implant. Alternatively or additionally, these tabs prevent rotational motion. In some embodiments of the invention, the tabs are not exactly aligned with the axis of the blood vessel, for example, being pointed towards the wall of the blood vessel or being angled relative to the axis, but in the plane of the blood vessel wall. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the tabs are elastically pre-stressed to extend in the desired direction. Alternatively, the tabs are formed out of a same sheet material as the reducing implant and the implant is of a type where one portion is narrowed and another is flared. The tabs are attached to the flared portion and cut away from the narrowed portion, so that when the reducing implant is deployed the tabs continue in a same plane as the flared portion.

Problems solved by technology

Occlusion of coronary arteries is a leading cause of death, especially sudden death, in what is commonly called a “heart attack”.

As the activity of the heart is mediated by electrical signal propagation, such disruption typically propagates to the rest of the heart, disorganizes the heart's activation and causes the heart output to be reduced drastically, which leads to ischemia and death of the brain.

In addition, the disorganized activity often damages the heart beyond what was caused directly by the blockage.

If a patient survives the direct effects of the heart attack, the damage to the heart may predispose the patient to future electrical disorders and / or may significantly reduce the cardiac output, thus reducing quality of life and life expectancy.

Angina pectoris is a chronic or semi-chronic condition that, while not life-threatening, significantly reduces quality of life.

When coronary arteries are stenosed or occluded, the increased blood flow cannot be provided, and pain, caused by the resulting ischemia, is produced.

However, this method has fallen in disfavor, in part possibly due to the need to open the chest and lift up the heart, to reach the coronary sinus vein.

However, as can be appreciated, intentionally forming thrombosis in most any part of the vascular system, and especially near the heart, can lead to propagating coagulation or floating thromboses, which are potentially fatal.

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