Heart wall tension reduction apparatus and method

Abstract

Devices and methods for treatment of a failing heart by reducing the heart wall stress. The device can be one which reduces wall stress throughout the cardiac cycle or only a portion of the cardiac cycle.

1 . (canceled)  
     
     
         2 . A method for treating heart failure to improve cardiac performance comprising: 
 providing at least one band;    compressing a human heart comprising a left atrium, a right atrium, a left ventricle and a right ventricle during systole and decreasing internal volume of at least one of the left atrium, right atrium, left ventricle, and right ventricle during systole to increase ejection fraction of the heart by placing said at least one band~upon an outer surface of the human heart.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one band is elastic.  
     
     
         4 . (New)The method of  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 providing at least one cross-link between a plurality of the at least one elastic band proximate the outer surface of the heart, wherein the cross-linked bands are disposed substantially parallel to one another and the cross-linked bands are of varying diameter arranged in order of descending size from the atria toward the ventricles to form a conical structure on the outer surface of the heart.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 decreasing the internal volume of at least the left ventricle.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the band is made of a resilient synthetic biocompatible material responsive to flexing movements of the heart and resistant to fracture upon long term flexing.  
     
     
         7 . A method for treating heart failure to improve cardiac performance comprising: 
 placing at least one band upon an outer surface of a human heart comprising a left atrium, a right atrium, a left ventricle and a right ventricle, wherein the at least one band is adjustable in size and the at least one band compresses the heart and decreases internal volume of at least one of the left atrium, right atrium, left ventricle, and right ventricle; and    monitoring the action of the heart and adjusting the size of the at least one band according to the monitored action of the heart.    
     
     
         8 . A method for treating heart failure to improve cardiac performance comprising: 
 providing at least one band, which is made of a wire and is adapted to be attached to an outer surface of a heart by an attaching means;    compressing a human heart comprising a left atrium, a right atrium, a left ventricle and a right ventricle and decreasing internal volume of at least one of the left atrium, right atrium, left ventricle, and right ventricle by placing said at least one band upon the outer surface of the human heart; and attaching said at least one band to the outer surface of the heart with said attaching means.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the attaching means is selected from the group consisting of sutures, clamps, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         10 . A device for treatment of congestive heart failure comprising: 
 at least one band configured and dimensioned to apply force to an outer surface of a human heart comprising a left atrium, a right atrium, a left ventricle and a right ventricle, the band having a size effective to compress the heart during systole, wherein the at least one band is made of at least one biocompatible component.    
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the biocompatible component is selected from an elastic synthetic material.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one band is made of wire.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one band is adjustable in diameter, configurable in a compact state, and releasable in vivo for placement around at least the left ventricle of the heart.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 at least one cross-link coupling a plurality of the at least one band to form a conical structure,    wherein the at least one band is elastic,    wherein the cross-linked bands are disposed substantially parallel to one another and the cross-linked bands are of varying diameter arranged in order of descending size from the atria toward the ventricles.    
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one band is made of resilient synthetic biocompatible material responsive to flexing movements of the heart and resistant-to fracture upon long term flexing.  
     
     
         16 . A method for treating heart failure comprising: 
 disposing at least one band proximate an outer surface of a human heart, wherein the at least one band continuously applies pressure to the heart and decreases internal volume of at least one chamber thereof during systole.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 coupling a plurality of the at least one band with at least one cross-link.    
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 forming a conical structure by linking a plurality of the at least one band with at least one cross-link.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 adjusting the size of the at least one band.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one band only extends proximate the left ventricle.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one band forms a ring extending only around the left ventricle.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 securing the at least one band to heart tissue.    
     
     
         23 . A method for treating heart failure comprising: 
 disposing at least one band proximate an outer surface of a human heart, wherein the at least one band applies pressure to the heart and decreases internal volume of at least one chamber thereof;    adjusting a size of the at least one band, wherein the size of the at least one band is adjusted in response to the monitored action; and    monitoring the action of the heart.    
     
     
         24 . A device for use in cardiac treatment comprising: 
 a first member for applying compressive force to a heart proximate an outer surface thereof to constrict at least one chamber thereof, the member having a size effective to compress the heart during systole, wherein the first member comprises biocompatible material.    
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the first member is ring-shaped.  
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 an additional member; and    at least one cross-link member;    wherein the first member and the additional member are coupled to each other by the at least one cross-link member.    
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the at least one cross-link member is disposed transverse to the first and additional members.  
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the first member, additional member, and at least one cross-link member are configured and dimensioned to form a conical structure.  
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the first member is configured to form an arc.  
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 24 , wherein the first member is elastically extendable.  
     
     
         31 . A method for treating heart failure comprising: 
 disposing at least one band around an outer surface of a human heart, wherein the at least one band elastically maintains pressure on the heart and decreases internal volume of at least one chamber thereof during systole.