Valve designs for left ventricular conduits

Abstract

Disclosed is a conduit that provides a bypass around a stenosis or occlusion in a coronary artery. The conduit is adapted to be positioned in the myocardium to provide a passage for blood to flow from a heart chamber to a coronary artery, at a site distal to the blockage or stenosis in the coronary artery. The conduit has a one-way valve positioned therein to prevent the backflow of blood from the coronary artery into the heart chamber.

1 - 35 . (canceled)  
   
   
       36 . A device for treating a heart, the device comprising: 
 a hollow implant having an interior wall surface defining a lumen, the hollow implant being configured to be positioned in a heart wall between a heart chamber and a coronary vessel so as to support a, blood flow passage between the heart chamber and the coronary vessel,    wherein portions of the interior wall surface are moveable relative to each other such that, during diastole, the portions reduce the cross-sectional area of the lumen so as to at least partially obstruct blood flow through the implant.    
   
   
       37 . The device of  claim 36 , wherein the hollow implant is configured such that, when positioned in the heart wall, the lumen has a greater cross-sectional area during systole than during diastole at a location of the portions.  
   
   
       38 . The device of  claim 36 , wherein the hollow implant includes a hollow tube.  
   
   
       39 . The device of  claim 36 , wherein the hollow implant includes a stent.  
   
   
       40 . The device of  claim 36 , wherein the hollow implant is configured to be positioned in the heart wall between a left ventricle and a blood vessel.  
   
   
       41 . The device of  claim 36 , wherein the hollow implant is configured to be positioned in the heart wall between the heart chamber and a coronary artery.  
   
   
       42 . The device of  claim 36 , wherein the hollow implant is configured to be positioned in the heart wall between a left ventricle and a coronary artery.  
   
   
       43 . The device of  claim 36 , further comprising a mechanism positioned within the wall of the conduit so as to bias the portions of the interior wall surface toward each other during diastole.  
   
   
       44 . The device of  claim 43 , wherein the mechanism is chosen from springs, inflatable structures, and means responsive to electrical and/or mechanical signals.  
   
   
       45 . The device of  claim 43 , wherein the mechanism is configured to permit the interior wall surface portions to move away from each other during systole.  
   
   
       46 . The device of  claim 36 , wherein other portions of the interior wall surface are substantially immovable such that, during the cardiac cycle, the other portions maintain a substantially constant cross-sectional area of the lumen.