Magnetic devices and methods for reshaping heart anatomy

Abstract

Systems, methods and devices are provided for treating heart failure patients suffering from various levels of heart dilation. Heart dilation treated by reshaping the heart anatomy with the use of magnetic forces. Such reshaping changes the geometry of portions of the heart, particularly the right or left ventricles, to increase contractibility of the ventricles thereby increasing the stroke volume which in turn increases the cardiac output of the heart. The magnetic forces are applied with the use of one or more magnetic elements which are implanted within the heart tissue or attached externally and/or internally to a surface of the heart. The various charges of the magnetic forces interact causing the associated heart tissue areas to readjust position, such as to decrease the width of the ventricles. Such repositioning is maintained over time by the force of the magnetic elements, allowing the damaging effects of heart dilation to slow in progression or reverse.

1 . A method of reshaping heart anatomy comprising:
 implanting a first magnetic element having a first charge at least partially within a first tissue area of the heart anatomy; and   implanting a second magnetic element having a second charge at least partially within a second tissue area of the heart anatomy, wherein the first and second magnetic elements are arranged so as to magnetically interact with each other causing at least one of the first and second tissues areas to move in a manner which reshapes the heart anatomy.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second charges are opposite charges and the magnetic elements are arranged so as to magnetically attract causing the at least one of the first and second tissue areas to move toward the other. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second charges are similar charges and the magnetic elements are arranged so as to magnetically repel causing the at least one of the first and second tissue areas move away from the other. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising
 implanting a third magnetic element having a third charge at least partially within a third tissue area of the heart anatomy, wherein the third magnetic element is positioned so as to magnetically interact with the first and/or second magnetic element causing at least one of the first, second and third tissues areas to move in a manner which reshapes the heart anatomy.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first tissue area and the second tissue area comprise a wall of a ventricle and reshaping the heart anatomy comprises reshaping the ventricle. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein reshaping the ventricle comprises drawing at least one wall of the ventricle inward reducing a width of the ventricle. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first tissue area and the second tissue area comprise a wall of a septum. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first tissue area and the second tissue area comprise a wall of an atrium. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first magnetic element includes at least one protrusion and wherein implanting the first magnetic element comprises advancing at least a portion of the at least one protrusion at least partially within the first tissue area of the heart anatomy. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one protrusion has a screw shape and wherein advancing comprises rotating the screw shape. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising bending the at least one protrusion. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising applying energy to the protrusion to cause the bending. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein applying energy comprises applying an electrical current, external energy or a combination of these. 
   
   
       14 . A method of reshaping heart anatomy comprising:
 attaching a first magnetic element having a first charge to a first target location on a surface of the heart anatomy; and   attaching a second magnetic element having a second charge to a second target location on a surface of the heart anatomy, wherein the first and second magnetic elements are arranged so as to magnetically interact with each other causing the first and second target locations to move in a manner which reshapes the heart anatomy.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second charges are opposite charges and the magnetic elements are arranged so as to magnetically attract causing the at least one of the first and second target locations move toward the other. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second charges are similar charges and the magnetic elements are arranged so as to magnetically repel causing the at least one of the first and second target locations to move away from the other. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising
 attaching a third magnetic element having a third charge to a third target location on a surface of the heart anatomy, wherein the third magnetic element is positioned so as to magnetically interact with the first and/or second magnetic element causing at least one of the first, second and third target locations to move in a manner which reshapes the heart anatomy.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the first target location and the second location are on a wall of a ventricle and reshaping the heart anatomy comprises reshaping the ventricle. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein reshaping the ventricle comprises drawing at least one wall of the ventricle inward reducing a width of the ventricle. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the first target location and the second location are on an external surface of the heart anatomy. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the first target location and the second location are on an internal surface of the heart anatomy. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein attaching the first magnetic element comprises adhering the first magnetic element to the first target location on a surface of the heart anatomy with adhesive. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first magnetic element includes a patch and wherein attaching the first magnetic element comprises attaching the patch to the first target location on a surface of the heart anatomy. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein attaching the patch comprises suturing or adhering the patch to the first target location on a surface of the heart anatomy. 
   
   
       25 . A magnetic element for reshaping heart anatomy comprising:
 a magnetic core; and   at least one protrusion extending from the magnetic core, the at least one protrusion adapted to be at least partially implantable within a tissue area of the heart anatomy.   
   
   
       26 . The magnetic element of  claim 25 , wherein the magnetic core comprises Neudynium Iron Boron, Samarium Cobalt, Aluminum Nickel Cobalt or a combination of these. 
   
   
       27 . The magnetic element of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one protrusion comprises a shape memory material. 
   
   
       28 . The magnetic element of  claim 27 , wherein the at least one protrusion forms a bend upon receiving energy which anchors the at least one protrusion within the tissue area of the heart anatomy. 
   
   
       29 . The magnetic element of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one protrusion has the shape of a screw. 
   
   
       30 . The magnetic element of  claim 25 , wherein the magnetic core has a biocompatible polymer coating. 
   
   
       31 . A composite magnetic element for reshaping heart anatomy comprising:
 a core inner layer comprising magnetic material; and   at least one outer layer comprising a non-magnetic material attached to the core inner layer.   
   
   
       32 . The composite magnetic element of  claim 31 , wherein the at least one outer layer comprises two outer layers, wherein the core inner layer is sandwiched between the outer layers. 
   
   
       33 . The composite magnetic element of  claim 31 , further comprising a biocompatible polymer coating. 
   
   
       34 . The composite magnetic element of  claim 31 , wherein the magnetic material comprises Neudynium Iron Boron, Samarium Cobalt, Aluminum Nickel Cobalt or a combination of these. 
   
   
       35 . A system for reshaping heart anatomy comprising:
 a first magnetic element having a first charge, wherein the first magnetic element is adapted to be at least partially implantable within or positionable on a first tissue area of the heart anatomy; and   a second magnetic element having a second charge, wherein the second magnetic element is adapted to be at least partially implantable within or positionable on a second tissue area of the heart anatomy, wherein the first and second magnetic elements are arrangeable so as to magnetically interact with each other causing at least one of the first and second tissues areas to move in a manner which reshapes the heart anatomy.   
   
   
       36 . A system as in  claim 25 , wherein at least one of the magnetic elements have the shape of discs, cones, rods, blocks, spheres, rings or a combination of these. 
   
   
       37 . A system as in  claim 25 , wherein at least one of the magnetic elements comprises a composite magnetic element including a core inner layer of magnetic material and at least one outer layer comprised of a non-magnetic material attached to the core inner layer. 
   
   
       38 . A system as in  claim 25 , wherein at least one of the magnetic elements includes a protrusion that is at least partially implantable within the associated tissue area of the heart anatomy. 
   
   
       39 . A delivery system for delivering a magnetic element:
 a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;   a needle having a passageway extending therethough, the needle being advanceable through the catheter and having a needle tip which is extendable beyond the distal end of the catheter; and   a least one magnetic element configured for passage through the passageway and delivery from the needle tip.   
   
   
       40 . The delivery system of  claim 39 , further comprising a stylet advanceable through the passageway to pass the at least one magnetic element therethrough. 
   
   
       41 . The delivery system of  claim 39 , further comprising a needle advancement mechanism which advances and retracts the needle tip in relation to the distal end of the catheter. 
   
   
       42 . The delivery system of  claim 39 , wherein the at least one magnetic element has the shape of a disc, cone, rod, block, sphere, ring or a combination of these. 
   
   
       43 . The delivery system of  claim 39 , wherein the catheter includes a handle attached to its proximal end, and wherein the distal end of the catheter is deflectable by manipulation of the handle. 
   
   
       44 . The delivery system of  claim 43 , wherein the catheter includes at least one pullwire, and manipulation of the handle adjusts the pullwire which deflects the distal end of the catheter.