HEART WALL TENSION REDUCTION APPARATUS AND METHOD
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 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.