Devices and methods for delivering an endocardial device

Abstract

Systems for partitioning a ventricle of a heart include a partitioning device or implant, and an applicator for inserting, repositioning and/or removing the partitioning device. The implant may support the ventricle wall and may reduce the volume of the ventricle. The delivery system for delivering and deploying a partitioning device into a ventricle may include a catheter having a distal coupling element for coupling to a partitioning device in a collapsed configuration; the catheter may also have an expansion member for applying force to the partitioning device to fully expand it into a deployed configuration and to secure or seal it against the ventricle wall.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of reducing ventricular volume to treat heart disease, the method comprising:
 positioning an umbrella-shaped, expandable partitioning device having a reinforced membrane in a contracted configuration near the apex of a patients' ventricle using an elongate delivery catheter to which the partitioning device is releasably coupled;   expanding an expansion member near the distal end of the delivery catheter to apply pressure to a proximal end region of the contracted partitioning device to expand the partitioning device; and   releasing a coupling element distal to the expansion member on the delivery catheter to deploy the partitioning device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising securing the periphery of the partitioning device to the ventricle wall. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising sealing the periphery of the partitioning device to the ventricle wall. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising percutaneously guiding the partitioning device on the end of the delivery catheter into the ventricle. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising advancing the partitioning device into the ventricle through an inner lumen of a delivery catheter. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of expanding the expansion member comprises expanding an inflatable expansion member near the distal end of the delivery catheter. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of expanding the expansion member comprises expanding a plurality of discrete arms joined at their proximal and distal ends by bringing the proximal and distal ends closer together. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of expanding the expansion member comprises expelling fluid from a plurality of openings positioned near the distal end region of the delivery catheter to apply pressure to the proximal end region of the partitioning device to expand the partitioning device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of releasing comprises rotating a torque shaft to withdraw a helical coil screw from a hub of the partitioning device. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising pulling a pullwire on the expansion member to expand it. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising rotating a torque shaft of the delivery catheter to release the coupling element from the partitioning device. 
     
     
         12 . A method of reducing ventricular volume to treat heart disease, the method comprising:
 positioning an umbrella-shaped, expandable partitioning device having a reinforced membrane in a contracted configuration near the apex of a patients' ventricle using an elongate delivery catheter to which the partitioning device is releasably coupled;   expanding a mechanical expander near the distal end of the delivery catheter to apply pressure to a proximal end region of the contracted partitioning device to expand the partitioning device; and   releasing a coupling element distal to the expansion member on the delivery catheter to deploy the partitioning device.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the mechanical expander comprises a plurality of discrete arms. 
     
     
         14 . A method of reducing ventricular volume to treat heart disease, the method comprising:
 positioning an umbrella-shaped, expandable partitioning device having a reinforced membrane in a contracted configuration near the apex of a patients' ventricle using an elongate delivery catheter to which the partitioning device is releasably coupled;   injecting a fluid through a plurality of openings located on a distal portion of the delivery catheter to apply pressure to a proximal end region of the contracted partitioning device to expand the partitioning device; and   releasing a coupling element distal to the expansion member on the delivery catheter to deploy the partitioning device.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the fluid comprises a contrast agent.