Septum attached ventricular support

Abstract

A method and device are disclosed for treating congestive heart disease. The material of the device is secured to the heart proximate the septal wall. The material covering the ventricles may or may not have the same tension and or compliance. The device can be constructed as a unitary “jacket” that is slipped over the apex of the heart. Alternately, the device implanted as one, two or more separate components. In one embodiment, the material covers both the left and right ventricles. In another embodiment, the material covers only one ventricle. The device may include at least one adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the tension of the material. Preferably, the device includes a first adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a tension of the material covering the right ventricle and a second adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the tension of the material covering the left ventricle such that the tension of the material covering the left ventricle can be different than the tension of the material covering the right ventricle.

1 . A device for treating cardiac disease of a heart having a longitudinal axis from an apex to a base, an upper portion and a lower portion divided by an A-V groove, a valvular annulus adjacent said A-V groove, and ventricular lower extremities adjacent said apex, said ventricular lower extremities comprising a right ventricle and left ventricle wherein said right and left ventricle are separated by a septum, the device comprising: 
 a jacket of flexible material having upper and lower ends dimensioned to cover at least said left ventricle or at least said right ventricle;    said material adapted to be adjusted on said heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of said heart and constrain circumferential expansion of at least said left ventricle or at least said right ventricle during diastole and permit substantially unimpeded contraction of said heart during systole, wherein pressure exerted by said device on said right ventricle during diastole is different than pressure exerted by said device on said left ventricle during diastole.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said material is adapted to be secured to said heart proximate said septum.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said material is secured to said heart by fibrosis.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said device covers said left and right ventricle.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said device is constructed as a unitary jacket.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said device comprises a first component comprising material configured to cover said left ventricle and a second component comprising material configured to cover said right ventricle, wherein said first and second components are implanted separately.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said material covering said right ventricle has a greater compliance than said material covering said left ventricle.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said material covering said left ventricle is under more tension than said material covering said right ventricle.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a tension of said material.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 4 , further comprising a first adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a tension of said material covering said right ventricle and a second adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a tension of said material covering said left ventricle, wherein the tension of the material covering said left ventricle is greater than the tension of the material covering said right ventricle.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein said adjustment mechanism comprises material that is sufficiently flexible such that excess amounts of said material can be gathered following placement of said material over said heart to snugly conform said material to an external geometry of said heart.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said adjustment mechanism comprises a slot comprising opposing lateral edges, wherein the tension of said material is adjusted by adjusting a proximity of said opposing lateral edges.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said adjustment mechanism comprises an inflatable member mounted between said material and the heart.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a securing member.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein said securing member comprises an inelastic band configured to extend along said septum when said device is in place.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein said securing member comprises a plurality of rings configured to extend along said septum when said device is in place.  
   
   
       17 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein said material is dimensioned to have a longitudinal dimension between said upper and lower ends sufficient for said jacket to constrain said valvular annulus.  
   
   
       18 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein said material encloses said apex.  
   
   
       19 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein said apex protrudes beyond said material.  
   
   
       20 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein said jacket is sized to at least partially cover and constrain said upper portion.