System and method for reshaping right heart
The present teachings provide devices and methods of reshaping the right heart and reducing tricuspid valve regurgitation. Specifically, one aspect of the present teachings provides an inflatable device to be deployed in the space between the sternum and the right heart. An injectable medium is injected to the cavity of the device. Once the device is filled, the device is detached from the delivery system, and released inside the body. The inflated device exerts pressure to the right heart, changes the shape of the tricuspid annulus, and allows a better coaptation of the tricuspid leaflets.
1. Apparatus comprising:
a delivery system comprising:
an access sheath, configured to be introduced to a treatment location outside a right side of a heart of a subject;
a delivery catheter; and
an inflation catheter; and
a device configured to be positioned at the treatment location, against the right side of the heart, the device comprising:
a tissue-binding adhesive;
a flexible outer layer encasing a primary cavity and a secondary cavity outside of the primary cavity, a portion of the flexible outer layer outside of the secondary cavity having a plurality of pores between the secondary cavity and the outside of the flexible outer layer;
a barrier separating the primary and secondary cavities, preventing moisture and gas from crossing the barrier; and
an injection port configured to allow an injection medium to be introduced into the primary cavity, the injection port comprising an injection tube that is disposed entirely within the primary cavity and is only in fluid communication with the primary cavity and not the secondary cavity, the injection port being configured for being detachably coupled to the inflation catheter,
wherein:
the device has a collapsed delivery profile and an inflated deployment profile,
in the collapsed delivery profile, the device is dimensioned to be advanced, within the access sheath, to the treatment location, while the secondary cavity contains the tissue-binding adhesive,
the device is inflatable into the inflated deployment profile by introducing the injection medium into the primary cavity via the inflation catheter and the injection port, and
introducing the injection medium into the primary cavity via the injection port squeezes the tissue-binding adhesive out of the secondary cavity via the pores.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the barrier separating the primary and secondary cavities expands more than the portion of the flexible outer layer outside of the secondary cavity when the injection medium is introduced into the primary cavity, thereby allowing the primary cavity to expand at a greater rate than the secondary cavity, thereby causing expulsion of the tissue-binding adhesive through the pores.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the device further includes a one-way valve disposed within the injection tube.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the barrier extends longitudinally from a distal end to a proximal end of the device which is in the form of an inflatable balloon.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the secondary cavity is disposed alongside the primary cavity.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:
the portion of the flexible outer layer is a first portion of the flexible outer layer that delineates at least part of the primary cavity, and
a second portion of the flexible outer layer delineates at least part of the secondary cavity.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the primary cavity is configured to inflate into a flat shape.