Self-adjusting attachment structure for a cardiac support device

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-09-06
ACORN CARDIOVASCULAR
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019]The present invention is an improved cardiac support device. The device includes a jacket having a base region for constraining cardiac expansion. Attachment structure on a base region of the jacket se

Problems solved by technology

In time, the heart becomes so enlarged that it cannot adequately supply blood.
An afflicted patient is fatigued, unable to perform even simple exerting tasks and experiences pain and discomfort.
Furthermore, as the heart enlarges, the internal heart valves cannot adequately close.
This impairs the function of the valves and further reduces the heart's ability to supply blood.
In such cases, the heart may enlarge to such an extent that the adverse consequences of heart enlargement continue after the viral infection has passed and the disease continues its progressively debilitating course.
Drug therapy treats the symptoms of the disease and may slow the progression of the disease.
Furthermore, the drugs sometimes have adverse side effects.
Such patients are extremely sick individuals.
Due to the absence of effective intermediate treatment between drug therapy and heart transplant, Class III and IV patients often suffer before qualifying for heart transplant.
Furthermore, after this suffering, the available treatment is often unsatisfactory.
Heart transplant procedures are risky, invasive and relatively expensive, and often extend a patient's life by only relatively short times. For example, prior to transplant, a Class IV patient may have a life expectancy of six months to one-year.
Unfortunately, not enough hearts are available for transplant to meet the needs of congestive heart disease patients.
Even if the risks and expense of heart transplant could be tolerated, this treatment option is becoming increasingly unavailable.
Furthermore, many patients do not qualify for heart transplant for failure to me

Method used

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  • Self-adjusting attachment structure for a cardiac support device
  • Self-adjusting attachment structure for a cardiac support device
  • Self-adjusting attachment structure for a cardiac support device

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0055]FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a cardiac support device 10 that includes a cardiac jacket 12 and a securing structure or mechanism in the form of a self-attachment structure or mechanism 14 in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. The jacket 12 can be similar or identical to those described in any of the following U.S. patents assigned to Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc., all of which are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,343; U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,972; U.S. Pat. No. 6,193,648; U.S. Pat. No. 6,482,146; U.S. Pat. No. 6,682,476; U.S. Pat. No. 6,902,524; U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,856; U.S. Pat. No. 6,908,426; U.S. Pat. No. 6,572,533; U.S. Pat. No. 6,673,009; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,951,534. In still other embodiments the jacket 12 can be similar or identical to those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,702,732 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,723,041, both of which are assigned to Paracor and are incorporated herein by reference. These examples of jacket 12 are not limiting, and the secur...

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Abstract

A cardiac support device including a jacket and elastic attachment structure for self-securing the jacket to a heart. The attachment structures can include undulating metal and polymer elements, a silicone band and elastomeric filaments on a base end of the jacket.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to devices for providing wall tension relief for a diseased heart. In particular, this invention pertains to such a device which is self-adjusting after placement on the heart.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Congestive heart disease is a progressive and debilitating illness. The disease is characterized by a progressive enlargement of the heart. As the heart enlarges, the heart is performing an increasing amount of work in order to pump blood during each heart beat. In time, the heart becomes so enlarged that it cannot adequately supply blood. An afflicted patient is fatigued, unable to perform even simple exerting tasks and experiences pain and discomfort. Furthermore, as the heart enlarges, the internal heart valves cannot adequately close. This impairs the function of the valves and further reduces the heart's ability to supply blood.[0003]Causes of congestive heart disease are not fully known. In certain instances, congestive he...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A61F2/00A61F13/00
CPCA61F2/2481
Inventor WALSH, ROBERT G.HJELLE, AARON J.PIGNATO, PAUL ANDREWTHOMAS, ANN MARGARETSABBAH, HANI N.THOMPSON, NOREEN WALENHICKS, HOLLY J.
Owner ACORN CARDIOVASCULAR
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