DEVICES AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING AN ENDOCARDIAL DEVICE
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.
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.