Granted Patent B2

US 7,773,785 · App. 10/800,433 · Granted Aug 10, 2010

Abstract

Claims (173)

1. A system configured to design cardiac instruments, comprising:

a CPU; and

a system memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the system memory stores one or more computer programs executable by the CPU;

wherein one or more computer programs are executable to:

create a pattern of at least a portion of at least one patient-specific cardiac instrument or implant using at least one first image of heart tissue from a human heart;

evaluate motion of at least one portion of at least one feature of one or more first images of heart tissue; and

assess asynergy of the heart tissue.

2. A system configured to design cardiac instruments, comprising:

a CPU; and

a system memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the system memory stores one or more computer programs executable by the CPU;

wherein one or more computer programs are executable to:

create a pattern of at least a portion of at least one patient-specific cardiac instrument or implant using at least one first image of heart tissue from a human heart;

assign at least one reference point to at least two first images of the heart tissue;

evaluate a relative movement of at least one of the reference points between at least two first images of the heart tissue; and

assess a viability of the heart tissue.

3. A system configured to design cardiac instruments, comprising:

a CPU; and

a system memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the system memory stores one or more computer programs executable by the CPU;

wherein one or more computer programs are executable to:

create a pattern of at least a portion of at least one patient-specific cardiac instrument or implant using at least one first image of heart tissue from a human heart;

determine at least a first and second volume of a portion of the heart tissue and blood flow through a portion of the heart; and

assess a mitral regurgitation with a provided velocity of a fluid through at least a portion of the aorta.

4. A non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to store program instructions, wherein the program instructions are executable to implement a method to design cardiac instruments, comprising:

creating a pattern of at least a portion of at least one patient-specific cardiac instrument or implant using at least one first image of heart tissue from a human heart;

evaluating motion of at least one portion of at least one feature of one or more first images of heart tissue; and

assessing asynergy of the heart tissue.

5. A non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to store program instructions, wherein the program instructions are executable to implement a method to design cardiac instruments, comprising:

creating a pattern of at least a portion of at least one patient-specific cardiac instrument or implant using at least one first image of heart tissue from a human heart;

assigning at least one reference point to at least two first images of the heart tissue; evaluating a relative movement of at least one of the reference points between at least two first images of the heart tissue; and

assessing a viability of the heart tissue.

6. A non-transitory computer-readable medium configured to store program instructions, wherein the program instructions are executable to implement a method to design cardiac instruments, comprising:

creating a pattern of at least a portion of at least one patient-specific cardiac instrument or implant using at least one first image of heart tissue from a human heart;

determining at least a first and second volume of a portion of the heart tissue and blood flow through a portion of the heart; and

assessing a mitral regurgitation with a provided velocity of a fluid through at least a portion of the aorta.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the pattern is created automatically by at least one of the computer programs based on at least some user input.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first image comprises a plurality of features, and wherein at least one of the features comprises a physiological factor.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the implants comprises a reinforcing device, an annuloplasty ring, a suture, or a valve.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the instruments comprises a shaper, and wherein the shaper is configurable to expand to a predetermined shape and size substantially similar to the size and shape of an appropriate left ventricle.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the instruments comprises a guide.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the guide comprises an overlay, and wherein the overlay comprises indicia configurable to assist a surgical procedure during use.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein one or more computer programs are further executable to extrapolate at least a portion of at least one feature from at least one first image of human heart tissue.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein one or more computer programs are further executable to:

use at least two first images of human heart tissue to create at least a second image of the heart tissue, wherein at least a portion of the second image appears at least three-dimensional.

15. The system of claim 1 , wherein one of the dimensions comprises time or at least one physiological factor.

16. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the computer programs is further executable to:

compare a contrast between two or more sections in at least one first image; and

assess a viability of the heart tissue.

17. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the computer programs is further executable to:

evaluate a curvature of at least a section of a portion of a heart comprising the heart tissue; and

assess a shape of at least the portion of the heart.

18. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the computer programs is further executable to:

assign at least one reference point to at least two first images of the heart tissue;

evaluate a relative movement of at least one of the reference points between at least two first images of the heart tissue; and

assess a viability of the heart tissue.

19. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the computer programs is further executable to:

determine at least a first and second volume of a portion of the heart tissue and blood flow through a portion of the heart; and

assess a mitral regurgitation with a provided velocity of a fluid through at least a portion of the aorta.

20. The system of claim 2 , wherein the pattern is created automatically by at least one of the computer programs based on at least some user input.

21. The system of claim 2 , wherein the first image comprises a plurality of features, and wherein at least one of the features comprises a physiological factor.

22. The system of claim 2 , wherein at least one of the implants comprises a reinforcing device, an annuloplasty ring, a suture, or a valve.

23. The system of claim 2 , wherein at least one of the instruments comprises a shaper, and wherein the shaper is configurable to expand to a predetermined shape and size substantially similar to the size and shape of an appropriate left ventricle.

24. The system of claim 2 , wherein at least one of the instruments comprises a guide.

25. The system of claim 24 , wherein the guide comprises an overlay, and wherein the overlay comprises indicia configurable to assist a surgical procedure during use.

26. The system of claim 2 , wherein one or more computer programs are further executable to extrapolate at least a portion of at least one feature from at least one first image of human heart tissue.

27. The system of claim 2 , wherein one or more computer programs are further executable to:

use at least two first images of human heart tissue to create at least a second image of the heart tissue, wherein at least a portion of the second image appears at least three-dimensional.

28. The system of claim 2 , wherein one of the dimensions comprises time or at least one physiological factor.

29. The system of claim 2 , wherein at least one of the computer programs is further executable to:

compare a contrast between two or more sections in at least one first image; and

assess a viability of the heart tissue.

30. The system of claim 2 , wherein at least one of the computer programs is further executable to:

evaluate motion of at least one portion of at least one feature of one or more first images of heart tissue; and

assess asynergy of the heart tissue.

31. The system of claim 2 , wherein at least one of the computer programs is further executable to:

evaluate a curvature of at least a section of a portion of a heart comprising the heart tissue; and

assess a shape of at least the portion of the heart.

32. The system of claim 2 , wherein at least one of the computer programs is further executable to:

determine at least a first and second volume of a portion of the heart tissue and blood flow through a portion of the heart; and

assess a mitral regurgitation with a provided velocity of a fluid through at least a portion of the aorta.

33. The system of claim 3 , wherein the pattern is created automatically by at least one of the computer programs based on at least some user input.

34. The system of claim 3 , wherein the first image comprises a plurality of features, and wherein at least one of the features comprises a physiological factor.

35. The system of claim 3 , wherein at least one of the implants comprises a reinforcing device, an annuloplasty ring, a suture, or a valve.

36. The system of claim 3 , wherein at least one of the instruments comprises a shaper, and wherein the shaper is configurable to expand to a predetermined shape and size substantially similar to the size and shape of an appropriate left ventricle.

37. The system of claim 3 , wherein at least one of the instruments comprises a guide.

38. The system of claim 37 , wherein the guide comprises an overlay, and wherein the overlay comprises indicia configurable to assist a surgical procedure during use.

39. The system of claim 3 , wherein one or more computer programs are further executable to extrapolate at least a portion of at least one feature from at least one first image of human heart tissue.

40. The system of claim 3 , wherein one or more computer programs are further executable to:

use at least two first images of human heart tissue to create at least a second image of the heart tissue, wherein at least a portion of the second image appears at least three-dimensional.

41. The system of claim 3 , wherein one of the dimensions comprises time or at least one physiological factor.

42. The system of claim 3 , wherein at least one of the computer programs is further executable to:

compare a contrast between two or more sections in at least one first image; and

assess a viability of the heart tissue.

43. The system of claim 3 , wherein at least one of the computer programs is further executable to:

evaluate motion of at least one portion of at least one feature of one or more first images of heart tissue; and

assess asynergy of the heart tissue.

44. The system of claim 3 , wherein at least one of the computer programs is further executable to:

evaluate a curvature of at least a section of a portion of a heart comprising the heart tissue; and

assess a shape of at least the portion of the heart.

45. The system of claim 3 , wherein at least one of the computer programs is further executable to:

assign at least one reference point to at least two first images of the heart tissue;

evaluate a relative movement of at least one of the reference points between at least two first images of the heart tissue; and

assess a viability of the heart tissue.

46. The computer-readable medium of claim 4 , wherein the pattern is created automatically by at least some of the program instructions based on at least some user input.

47. The computer-readable medium of claim 4 , wherein at least one of the first images comprises a plurality of features, and wherein at least one of the features comprises a physiological factor.

48. The computer-readable medium of claim 4 , wherein at least one of the implants comprises a reinforcing device, an annuloplasty ring, a suture, or a valve.

49. The computer-readable medium of claim 4 , wherein at least one of the instruments comprises a shaper, and wherein the shaper is configurable to expand to a predetermined shape and size substantially similar to the size and shape of an appropriate left ventricle.

50. The computer-readable medium of claim 4 , wherein at least one of the instruments comprises a guide.

51. The computer-readable medium of claim 4 , wherein at least one of the instruments comprises a guide, wherein the guide comprises an overlay, and wherein the overlay comprises indicia configurable to assist a surgical procedure during use.

52. The computer-readable medium of claim 4 , wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement a method comprising:

extrapolating at least a portion of at least one feature from at least one first image of human heart tissue.

53. The computer-readable medium of claim 4 , wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement a method comprising:

using at least two first images of human heart tissue to create at least a second image of the heart tissue, wherein at least a portion of the second image appears at least three-dimensional.

54. The computer-readable medium of claim 4 , wherein one of the dimensions comprises time or at least one physiological factor.

55. The computer-readable medium of claim 4 , wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

comparing a contrast between two or more sections in at least one first image; and

assessing a viability of the heart tissue.

56. The computer-readable medium of claim 4 , wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

evaluating a curvature of at least a section of a portion of a heart comprising the heart tissue; and

assessing a shape of at least the portion of the heart.

57. The computer-readable medium of claim 4 , wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

assigning at least one reference point to at least two first images of the heart tissue;

evaluating a relative movement of at least one of the reference points between at least two first images of the heart tissue; and

assessing a viability of the heart tissue.

58. The computer-readable medium of claim 4 , wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

determining at least a first and second volume of a portion of the heart tissue and blood flow through a portion of the heart; and

assessing a mitral regurgitation with a provided velocity of a fluid through at least a portion of the aorta.

59. The computer-readable medium of claim 5 , wherein the pattern is created automatically by at least some of the program instructions based on at least some user input.

60. The computer-readable medium of claim 5 , wherein at least one of the first images comprises a plurality of features, and wherein at least one of the features comprises a physiological factor.

61. The computer-readable medium of claim 5 , wherein at least one of the implants comprises a reinforcing device, an annuloplasty ring, a suture, or a valve.

62. The computer-readable medium of claim 5 , wherein at least one of the instruments comprises a shaper, and wherein the shaper is configurable to expand to a predetermined shape and size substantially similar to the size and shape of an appropriate left ventricle.

63. The computer-readable medium of claim 5 , wherein at least one of the instruments comprises a guide.

64. The computer-readable medium of claim 5 , wherein at least one of the instruments comprises a guide, wherein the guide comprises an overlay, and wherein the overlay comprises indicia configurable to assist a surgical procedure during use.

65. The computer-readable medium of claim 5 , wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement a method comprising:

extrapolating at least a portion of at least one feature from at least one first image of human heart tissue.

66. The computer-readable medium of claim 5 , wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement a method comprising:

using at least two first images of human heart tissue to create at least a second image of the heart tissue, wherein at least a portion of the second image appears at least three-dimensional.

67. The computer-readable medium of claim 5 , wherein one of the dimensions comprises time or at least one physiological factor.

68. The computer-readable medium of claim 5 , wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

comparing a contrast between two or more sections in at least one first image; and

assessing a viability of the heart tissue.

69. The computer-readable medium of claim 5 , wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

evaluating motion of at least one portion of at least one feature of one or more first images of heart tissue; and

assessing asynergy of the heart tissue.

70. The computer-readable medium of claim 5 , wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

evaluating a curvature of at least a section of a portion of a heart comprising the heart tissue; and

assessing a shape of at least the portion of the heart.

71. The computer-readable medium of claim 5 , wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

determining at least a first and second volume of a portion of the heart tissue and blood flow through a portion of the heart; and

assessing a mitral regurgitation with a provided velocity of a fluid through at least a portion of the aorta.

72. The computer-readable medium of claim 6 , wherein the pattern is created automatically by at least some of the program instructions based on at least some user input.

73. The computer-readable medium of claim 6 , wherein at least one of the first images comprises a plurality of features, and wherein at least one of the features comprises a physiological factor.

74. The computer-readable medium of claim 6 , wherein at least one of the implants comprises a reinforcing device, an annuloplasty ring, a suture, or a valve.

75. The computer-readable medium of claim 6 , wherein at least one of the instruments comprises a shaper, and wherein the shaper is configurable to expand to a predetermined shape and size substantially similar to the size and shape of an appropriate left ventricle.

76. The computer-readable medium of claim 6 , wherein at least one of the instruments comprises a guide.

77. The computer-readable medium of claim 6 , wherein at least one of the instruments comprises a guide, wherein the guide comprises an overlay, and wherein the overlay comprises indicia configurable to assist a surgical procedure during use.

78. The computer-readable medium of claim 6 , wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement a method comprising:

extrapolating at least a portion of at least one feature from at least one first image of human heart tissue.

79. The computer-readable medium of claim 6 , wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement a method comprising:

using at least two first images of human heart tissue to create at least a second image of the heart tissue, wherein at least a portion of the second image appears at least three-dimensional.

80. The computer-readable medium of claim 6 , wherein one of the dimensions comprises time or at least one physiological factor.

81. The computer-readable medium of claim 6 , wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

comparing a contrast between two or more sections in at least one first image; and

assessing a viability of the heart tissue.

82. The computer-readable medium of claim 6 , wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

evaluating motion of at least one portion of at least one feature of one or more first images of heart tissue; and

assessing asynergy of the heart tissue.

83. The computer-readable medium of claim 6 , wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

evaluating a curvature of at least a section of a portion of a heart comprising the heart tissue; and

assessing a shape of at least the portion of the heart.

84. The computer-readable medium of claim 6 , wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

assigning at least one reference point to at least two first images of the heart tissue;

evaluating a relative movement of at least one of the reference points between at least two first images of the heart tissue; and

assessing a viability of the heart tissue.

Assignments (9)