System and method for the treatment of heart tissue

Abstract

A device is disclosed for locating and treating an infarct scar in a heart. The device includes a catheter, a collapsible heater and energizing means connected to the collapsible heater for energizing the collapsible heater to raise the temperature of the infarct scar to a temperature sufficient to reduce the surface area of the infarct scar.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A method for treating an infarct scar in a heart, comprising the steps of: introducing a catheter into the heart; placing a heating element through the catheter and adjacent to the infarct scar; and, energizing the heating element to raise the temperature of the infarct scar. 
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the step of energizing the heating element comprises controllably energizing the heating element to raise the temperature of the scar to a controlled temperature. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  further comprising the steps of repeating the placing and energizing steps to treat the entire infarct scar surface. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the step of energizing the heating element raises the temperature of the infarct scar to a temperature sufficient to reduce the surface area of the infarct scar. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said heating element is placed in contact with the infarct scar. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the heating element is energized by applying radio frequency energy. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the heating element is energized by resistive heating. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the scar is energized to a temperature in the range of about 40 degrees Celsius to about 75 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         9 . A device for treating an infarct scar in a heart, comprising: a catheter; a collapsible heater connected to said catheter; and, energizing means connected to said collapsible heater for energizing at least a portion of the collapsible heater to raise the temperature of the infarct scar. 
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 9  wherein said collapsible heater is connected to the distal end of a cable. 
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 10  wherein said cable is slideable in a lumen of said catheter. 
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 9  wherein said collapsible heater is constructed and arranged to be slideable through the lumen of said catheter when in a collapsed state. 
     
     
         13 . A device according to  claim 9  wherein said collapsible heater is constructed to expand to a deployed state in which said collapsible heater occupies greater volume than when said collapsible heater is in the collapsed state. 
     
     
         14 . A device according to  claim 9  wherein said collapsible heater comprises a feedback system to enable a user to determine the extent to which heating of the scar has been completed. 
     
     
         15 . A device according to  claim 14  wherein said collapsible heater comprises struts and said feedback system comprises strain gauges connected to said struts. 
     
     
         16 . A device according to  claim 9  wherein said collapsible heater further comprises: a support connected to said catheter; a plurality of struts connected to said support; a mylar sheet connected to said struts; and, a plurality of electrodes connected to said struts. 
     
     
         17 . A device for treating an infarct scar in a heart, comprising: a catheter; a self-positioning heater connected to said catheter; and, energizing means connected to said collapsible heater for energizing at least a portion of the collapsible heater to raise the temperature of the infarct scar. 
     
     
         18 . A device according to  claim 17  wherein said self-positioning heater is constructed to be movable by blood flow within the heart. 
     
     
         19 . A device according to  claim 17  wherein said self-positioning heater comprises a flexible cable connected to said catheter. 
     
     
         20 . A device according to  claim 18  wherein said self positioning heater comprises a collapsible heater which can expand to a deployed state having a volume greater than when in its collapsed state.