Left Heart Assist Device and Method

Abstract

A device, a kit and a method is presented for permanently augmenting the pump function of the left heart. The mitral valve plane is assisted in a movement along the left ventricular long axis during each heart cycle. The very close relationship between the coronary sinus and the mitral valve is used by various embodiments of a medical device providing this assisted movement. By means of catheter technique an implant is inserted into the coronary sinus, the device is augmenting the up and down movement of the mitral valve and thereby increasing the left ventricular diastolic filling when moving upwards and the piston effect of the closed mitral valve when moving downwards.

1 . A medical device for mimicking at least a portion of ventricular pump action in a heart of a patient comprising:
 a powered force generating unit for controllably assisted movement of a cardiac valve synchronized with a cardiac cycle of said heart, and   wherein the powered force generating unit is adapted to move said cardiac valve in a cardiac valve plane substantially along a long axis of the ventricle of said heart in a direction to and/or from an apex of said heart.   
     
     
         2 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the powered force generating unit is configured to generate a force for obtaining said assisted movement of the cardiac valve. 
     
     
         3 . The medical device of  claim 1 ,wherein the powered force generating unit is adapted to move said cardiac valve in said heart in a reciprocating movement during systole towards an apex of said heart and/or during diastole away from said apex such that said pump action of said heart is assisted. 
     
     
         4 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein said powered force generating unit is adapted to generate said movement in synchrony with the cardiac cycle of said heart by detecting the natural action of the heart, such as by measuring an electrocardiogram, a blood pressure wave, a blood flow, and/or acoustic signals of said heart, thereby enhancing the natural up and down movement of a mitral valve during the heart cycle. 
     
     
         5 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein said cardiac valve is a mitral valve, the device further comprising
 a first anchor unit configured for implantation in said heart in proximity to a mitral valve (MV) plane;   a second anchor unit configured for implantation at a location spaced apart from said first anchor unit by a distance, and in communication with said first anchor unit; and   wherein the powered force generating unit is a powered force generating unit that generates anchor forces that move the first and second anchor units relative to each other, thereby lengthening said distance, during successive diastolic heart events and/or shortening said distance during successive systolic heart events.   
     
     
         6 . The medical device of  claim 5 , wherein the first anchor unit is configured for implantation in cardiac vessel of said heart in proximity to a mitral valve (MV) plane. 
     
     
         7 . A medical device for mimicking at least a portion of ventricular pump action in a heart of a patient comprising:
 a first anchor unit configured for implantation in said heart in proximity to a cardiac valve plane;   a second anchor unit configured for implantation at a location spaced apart from said first anchor unit by a distance, and in communication with said first anchor unit; and   a powered force generating unit configured to generate first and second anchor forces that move the first and second anchor units relative to each other according to a set sequence;   wherein said set sequence comprises said first anchor forces that move said anchor units toward each other during systole or said second anchor forces that move said anchor units away from each other during diastole.   
     
     
         8 . The medical device of  claim 7 , wherein said cardiac valve is a mitral valve, the first anchor unit is configured for implantation in cardiac vessel of said heart in proximity to a mitral valve (MV) plane. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein said first anchor unit has at least one tissue anchoring element. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein said powered force generating unit is an actuating unit for providing said anchor forces as mechanical forces, and wherein said first anchor unit and said actuating unit are in communication via a connecting unit for transferring said anchor forces and assisting a natural movement of said mitral valve plane toward and away from an apex of said heart such that ventricular pump action is mimicked. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said first anchor unit is positionable in one of the coronary sinus (CS), the great cardiac vein (GCV), and in a branch vessel thereof of the GCV of said heart and wherein said second anchor unit is positionable in one of said CS, the GCV, and a branch vessel of the GCV. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising a remote energy source, a control unit, and a sensor for measuring physiological parameters related to the cardiac cycle and for generating a sensor signal, wherein said control unit controls said force generating unit to provide said assisted movement based on said sensor signal. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein said remote energy source is comprised of a mechanical section for generating at least one of a rotational motion and a linear motion, and an extension unit extending from said mechanical section, wherein said mechanical section is said force generating unit and wherein said motion is transferred in operation of said mechanical section to said first anchor unit for said assisted movement of said cardiac valve plane via said extension unit. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein said control unit is configured to set at least one of a frequency, a speed, and a pause time duration of said anchor forces. 
     
     
         15 . A kit for improving ventricular pump function of a heart comprising the device according to  claim 1 , and a delivery system suitable for inserting said device into a patient including a guide wire, a guiding catheter, and an introducing catheter.