Implantable heart assist devices and methods

Abstract

Heart support and assist devices for supporting and assisting the pumping action of the heart. Various embodiments include mesh support devices, devices using straps, spiral-shaped devices, catheter-based devices and related methods.

1 . A system for supporting a heart having a left and right ventricles separated by an interventricular septum, the system comprising: 
 at least one catheter,    at least one flexible support member configured to be carried within said catheter and having first and second connecting ends, said flexible support member capable of being introduced through said catheter into one of said ventricles, around an external portion of the other of said ventricles and secured using at least one of said connecting ends such that a portion of the flexible support member supports the interventricular septum within said one ventricle and another portion of the flexible support member supports the external portion of the other ventricle.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said connecting ends are configured to be connected to each other.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of said connecting ends includes a locking element for engaging the other connecting end and locking the first and second connecting ends together.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein one of said connecting ends is configured to receive the other connecting end in an adjustable manner to allow adjustable pressure to be applied around the other ventricle.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said connecting ends each comprise loops.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising two of said catheters, each catheter including a gripping element for gripping a respective connecting end.  
   
   
       7 . A device for supporting a heart, said device comprising a rigid annular band configured to have at least a portion bear against an external surface of the heart, said portion including an inward projection for supplying selective inward pressure against a selected area of the external surface of the heart.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of said inward projections disposed at spaced apart locations of said rigid annular band.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein said rigid annular band is configured to lie entirely outside the heart against the external surface.  
   
   
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       29 . A method of supporting a heart having a plurality of walls, the method comprising: 
 introducing at least one catheter into the heart,    introducing a heart support member through the catheter and into the heart, and    securing the heart support member adjacent at least one of the walls of the heart to restrict movement of the one wall during a heartbeat.    
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the heart includes left and right ventricles separated by an interventricular septum, and said catheter is introduced into the right ventricle.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising: 
 securing the heart support member adjacent the interventricular septum within the right ventricle.    
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising: 
 supporting an outer surface of the left ventricle using the heart support member.    
   
   
       33 . A method of supporting a heart having a plurality of walls, the method comprising: 
 securing a support member adjacent a weakened area of at least one of the walls, and    applying discreet pressure to a selected area of the weakened area using an inwardly projecting portion of the support member.    
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the weakened area is an area containing a papillary muscle of the heart.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the support member further comprises an annular band of rigid material, and the method further comprises: 
 securing a first portion of the band adjacent an external wall of the heart, and    securing a second portion of the band adjacent an internal wall of the heart.    
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the heart includes left and right ventricles separated by an interventricular septum and wherein: 
 the first portion of the band is secured adjacent the interventricular septum of the heart, and    the second portion of the band is secured adjacent an external wall of at least one of the right and left ventricles.    
   
   
       37 . A method of assisting the pumping action of the heart having left and right ventricles separated by an interventricular septum, the method comprising: 
 inserting a support member within one of the right and left ventricles and against the interventricular septum,    encircling the outside of the other of the right and left ventricles with at least one external member, and    coupling the external member with the support member, and    compressing said one ventricle in a direction toward the interventricular septum.    
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the compressing step is performed by inflating a bladder between the external member and an outside wall of the heart.  
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the compressing step is performed by pulling said external member with a tensile force.