Heart wall tension reduction apparatus and method

Abstract

Devices and methods for treatment of a failing heart by reducing the heart wall stress. The device can be one which reduces wall stress throughout the cardiac cycle or only a portion of the cardiac cycle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for improving the function of a heart, the method comprising:
 positioning a passive device relative to an external heart wall, the device including a wrap and at least one elongated band secured to the wrap, wherein the wrap has sufficient length to encircle a portion of the heart, and wherein the band extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the wrap;   encircling a portion of the heart with the wrap of the device;   securing the device to an epicardial surface of the heart; and   exerting a force on the external heart wall with the device during a portion of a cardiac cycle.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the band includes a plurality of bands. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of bands are secured to one another. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the device includes a predetermined size adapted to not encompass an apex of the heart, and wherein encircling a portion of the heart with the wrap of the device comprises leaving the apex of the heart uncovered by the wrap. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein exerting a force on the external heart wall comprises altering a geometric configuration of the heart. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the geometric configuration is a shape of a heart chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the heart chamber is a left ventricle of the heart. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein encircling a portion of the heart with the device comprises fully encircling the heart. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wrap is substantially elastic. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wrap is substantially inelastic. 
     
     
         11 . A device for improving the function of a heart, the device comprising:
 a wrap having sufficient length to encircle at least a portion of the heart but not encompass an apex of the heart; and   a plurality of bands disposed along the length of the wrap, wherein each of the bands extends transversely to the length of the wrap, and wherein the device is a passive device.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of bands are configured to be secured to one another. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the wrap is configured to completely encircle the heart. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of bands is substantially rigid. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the wrap is substantially elastic. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the wrap is substantially inelastic.