Flexible vascular inducing implants

Abstract

Implants and associated delivery systems for promoting angiogenesis in ischemic tissue are provided. The implants may be delivered percutaneously, thoracically or surgically and are particularly well suited for implantation into the myocardium of the heart. The implants are configured to be flexible so that they compress and expand with corresponding movement of the surrounding tissue into which they are implanted. The flow of blood into the implant and pooling of the blood in and around the implant leads to thrombosis and fibrin growth, a healing process that leads to angiogenesis in the tissue surrounding the implant. Additionally, the implants may contain an angiogenic substance or a thrombus of blood, preloaded or injected after implantation to aid in initiating angiogenesis.

1 . A method of promoting angiogenesis in ischemic tissue comprising the steps of: 
 providing at least one flexible implant having first and second configurations and configured to move between the first and second configurations under the influence of the movement of surrounding tissue and defining a volume, at least while in the first configuration, that is in fluid communication with the surrounding tissue;    implanting at least one implant in an area of ischemic tissue.    
     
     
         2 . A method of promoting angiogenesis as defined in  claim 1  further comprising the step of associating an angiogenic substance with the implant prior to implantation.  
     
     
         3 . A method of promoting angiogenesis as defined in  claim 1  further comprising the step of associating an angiogenic substance with the implant after implantation.  
     
     
         4 . A method of promoting angiogenesis as defined in  claim 1  where the implant is delivered to an implant site percutaneously through a delivery catheter.  
     
     
         5 . A method of promoting angiogenesis as defined in  claim 1  wherein the tissue is myocardial tissue of the heart and the implants are implanted in the myocardium.  
     
     
         6 . A method as defined in  claim 5  wherein the implants are implanted entirely and only within the myocardium.  
     
     
         7 . A method as defined in  claim 5  wherein one or more implants are implanted in the myocardium such that a portion of each implant is substantially flush with the endocardial surface.  
     
     
         8 . A method as defined in  claim 7  wherein the implants are in fluid communication with the left ventricle.  
     
     
         9 - 13 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         14 . A method of promoting angiogenesis in the myocardium, comprising: generating thrombus in the myocardium to stimulate angiogenesis by placing at least one implant in the myocardium, wherein the implant is placed closer to the endocardium than to the epicardium.  
     
     
         15 - 18 . (Canceled)