Heart wall tension reduction apparatus and method
View Patent ↗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.
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 a band secured to the wrap, wherein the band extends away from the wrap in a direction transverse to the wrap;
encircling a portion of the heart with the device;
securing the device to an epicardial surface of the heart with sutures; 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 1 , wherein the band extends in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the wrap.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of bands are configured to be secured to one another.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the device includes a predetermined size adapted to not encompass an apex of the heart.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein exerting a force on the external heart wall alters a geometric configuration of the heart.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the geometric configuration is a shape of a heart chamber.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the heart chamber is a left ventricle of the heart.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein encircling a portion of the heart with the device includes fully encircling the heart.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the wrap is made of an elastic material.
11. A device for improving the function of a heart, the device comprising:
a wrap configured to surround an external portion of the heart but not encompass an apex of the heart; and
a plurality of bands disposed circumferentially about the wrap, wherein each of the bands extends away from the wrap in a direction transverse to 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 entirely surround the heart.
14. The device of claim 11 , wherein each of the plurality of bands is substantially rigid.