Implantable cardiac assist device with a phased electrode array

Abstract

The present invention provides a fully implantable cardiac massage apparatus having a phased electrode array. The cardiac massage apparatus of the invention can provide both “active” contraction of the heat, wherein the device electrically stimulates the heart to contract, or “passive” contraction of the heart, wherein the device squeezes the heart in a coordinated fashion so that the heart is massaged in a natural fashion from the apex to the base of the heart.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 829,573 filed Apr. 22, 2004, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 464,766, filed Apr. 23, 2003, the applications being incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] None FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0003] The present invention relates to therapeutic devices to work in conjunction with a diseased or failing heart to satisfy the hemodynamic needs of a patient. More particularly, the invention relates to a fully implantable device for assisting a heart to pump blood by intermittently applying pressure to at least a portion of the ventricular surface of the heart (if not the entire surface), preferably both the atrial and ventricular surfaces, at predetermined or possibly pre-programmed intervals to assist the heart to provide adequate hemody...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

The human heart is a very complex organ that relies on both mechanical and electrical operation in order to perform properly.

As with any complex mechanism, problems can and often do arise, with the heart.

For example, areas of the ventricle may lose their normal excitation pathways causing some parts of the ventricle to not contract when they are supposed to, losing, thereby, the circular compression and allowing some areas to “bulge.” This decreases efficiency.

These areas of heart muscle are intrinsically contracting mechanically, but lack the correct electrical input.

In addition, in some failing hearts the muscle of the heart no longer contracts the ventricles to a sufficient extent.

Insufficient ventricular contraction can produce a dangerous reduction in the amount of blood flow.

Thus, manual manipulation of the heart is not a solution to the problem in most cases.

While this device provides an improvement in hemodynamics for a diseased or failing heart, the device is not fully implantable.

Another shortcoming inherent in the prior art devices results from the fact that relatively high pressures are applied almost exclusively to the central portion of the ventricles' outer surfaces.

This causes the heart to deform into an unnatural, generally hourglass, shape and may even eventually cause trauma (e.g., bruises) to the heart, especially if one of the prior art devices is operated for an extended period of time.

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