Healing transmyocardial implant

Abstract

A transmyocardial implant establishes a blood flow path through a myocardium between a heart chamber and a lumen of a coronary vessel residing on an exterior of the heart. The implant includes a coronary portion sized to be received within the vessel. A myocardial portion is sized to pass through the myocardium into the heart chamber. A transition portion connects the coronary and myocardial portions for directing blood flow from the myocardial portion to the coronary portion. The coronary portion and the myocardial portion have an open construction for permitting tissue growth across a wall thickness of the coronary portion and the myocardial portion. The myocardial portion includes an agent for controlling a coagulation cascade and platelet formation.

1 - 17 . (canceled)  
   
   
       18 . A method for supporting a wall of a vascular structure at an area adjacent an incision in the wall of the vascular structure, the method comprising steps of: 
 inserting a support through the incision in the wall of the vascular structure while the support is in a low profile orientation;    positioning at least a portion of the support within the interior of the vascular structure; and    moving the support from the low profile orientation into an expanded orientation so as to contact and support the wall of the vascular structure.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising introducing a medical device into the interior of the vascular structure by passing the device through the support.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the vascular structure is a coronary artery and the medical device is a conduit delivery device that is passed through the coronary artery.  
   
   
       21 . A conduit for placing a coronary vessel of a patient's heart in communication with a heart chamber, the conduit comprising: 
 a tubular element configured to positioned in the wall of a patient's heart, the tubular element including first and second ends and a bore defining a blood flow path; and    a vessel supporting mechanism carried by the tubular element, the vessel supporting mechanism being positioned on the conduit so as to contact and support the wall of a coronary vessel when the conduit is positioned in the heart wall.    
   
   
       22 . The conduit of  claim 21 , wherein the tubular element is a rigid, solid walled structure.  
   
   
       23 . The conduit of  claim 21 , wherein the tubular element is an expandable stent including a plurality of struts, and the vessel supporting mechanism comprises some of the struts.  
   
   
       24 . A method for promoting angiogenesis within the tissue of a muscle, comprising: 
 accessing the muscle with a delivery system,    penetrating the muscle,    releasing within the muscle at least one flexible body dimensionally adapted for implantation within the muscle, said body having been subjected to deforming stress prior to its release within the muscle and said body dynamically approximating the recovery of its native configuration after its implantation, and    withdrawing the delivery system from its proximity to the muscle.    
   
   
       25 . A kit for promoting angiogenesis within a muscle comprising: 
 a delivery system for accessing the muscle,    an implantable body dimensionally adapted for being enclosed within the tissues of the muscle, and    an implantation device capable of inserting the implantable body within the muscle,    whereby the placement of the implantable body within the tissues of the muscle promotes angiogenesis.    
   
   
       26 . Apparatus for promoting angiogenesis comprising: 
 a body formed of a biocompatible material and being dimensionally adapted for implantation within tissues of a muscle, said body having at least one surface carrying a substance capable of promoting localized angiogenesis.    
   
   
       27 . Apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein said at least one surface is coated with a drug releasing compound.  
   
   
       28 . Apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein said at least one surface is formed of a biocompatible material that includes at least one drug releasing compound.  
   
   
       29 . Apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein said body has affixed to at least one surface a radiation source.  
   
   
       30 . Apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein said body contains a radiation source.  
   
   
       31 . Apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein said biocompatible material comprises at least one radiation source.  
   
   
       32 . Apparatus for promoting angiogenesis, comprising: 
 a body formed of a biocompatible material and being dimensionally adapted for implantation within the tissue of a muscle, said body being configured as a scaffold that provides support for tissue ingrowth, whereby said body promoting tissue ingrowth to thereby stimulate angiogenesis.    
   
   
       33 . Apparatus according to  claim 32 , wherein said body comprises at least one tissue growth factor.  
   
   
       34 . Apparatus according to  claim 32 , wherein said body has channels extending therethrough for providing the scaffold that provides support for tissue ingrowth.