Methods and devices for altering blood flow through the left ventricle

Abstract

An element is expanded in the left ventricle to isolate part of the left ventricle. The element has a generally convex outer surface and an apex which together define a desired geometry of the left ventricle. The isolated part of the wall of the left ventricle may be left so that the wall naturally forms around the element or the isolated portion of the ventricle may be evacuated and/or filled. The element may also be used to isolate part of the left ventricle containing a ventricular septal defect or other perforation or opening in the ventricular wall.

1 - 64 . (canceled)  
     
     
         65 . A system for altering blood flow through the left ventricle, the system comprising: 
 a delivery device;    a sealing element for sealing against an inner wall of a left ventricle, the sealing element a body having a generally convex outer surface, a circumferential sealing portion which is attached to the body, the circumferential sealing portion configured to seal against an internal wall of the left ventricle.    
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 65 , wherein: 
 the convex outer surface of the body has an apex, the convex outer surface and the apex generally conforming to a desired shape of a heart into which the device is implanted.    
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 65 , further comprising: 
 an attachment tool, the attachment tool being positioned outside the heart and being configured to engage the outside surface of the heart to attach at least part of the element to the wall of the left ventricle.    
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 65 , wherein: 
 the attachment tool has an anchor, the anchor being driven through the heart wall and into engagement with the element.    
     
     
         69 - 96 . (canceled)  
     
     
         97 . A system for altering blood flow through the left ventricle, the system comprising: 
 a delivery device;    a sealing element for sealing against an inner wall of a left ventricle, the sealing element a body having a generally convex outer surface, a circumferential sealing portion which is attached to the body, the circumferential sealing portion configured to seal against an internal wall of the left ventricle, the sealing element separating the left ventricle into a blood flow side and a non-blood flow side, the sealing element preventing blood to pass from the blood flow side to the non-blood flow side thereby reducing pressure forces on the wall of the non-blood flow side.    
     
     
         98 . The system of  claim 97 , further comprising: 
 an attachment device for attaching part of the convex outer surface to the wall of the left ventricle.    
     
     
         99 . The system of  claim 97 , wherein: 
 the sealing element is configured to hold the heart in a biased shape when secured within the left ventricle.    
     
     
         100 . The system of  claim 97 , wherein: 
 the attachment device mechanically attaches the sealing element to the heart.    
     
     
         101 . The system of  claim 97 , wherein: 
 the attachment device delivers energy to secure the sealing element to the heart.    
     
     
         102 . The method of claims  1 ,  33  or  69 , wherein: 
 the securing step is carried out with the element isolating at least one of a ventricular septal defect and a perforation in the ventricular wall.    
     
     
         103 . The method of claims  1 ,  33  or  69 , wherein: 
 the providing step is carried out with the element having a support member having flexible sections, the flexible sections bending to permit the support member to collapse.    
     
     
         104 . The system of claims  65  or  97 , wherein: 
 the element has a support member having flexible sections, the flexible sections bending to permit the support member to collapse.    
     
     
         105 . A method of altering blood flow through the left ventricle, comprising the steps of: 
 providing an element which is movable between collapsed and expanded conditions, the outer surface of the element being generally shaped to provide a desired geometry of the left ventricle wall;    collapsing the element in a delivery device;    advancing the element into the left ventricle in the collapsed condition with the delivery device;    expanding the element in the left ventricle; and    securing the element to the wall of the left ventricle.    
     
     
         106 . The method of  claim 105 , wherein: 
 the providing step is carried out with the outer surface of the element being generally convex and having an apex when in the expanded position, the shape of the element in the expanded position being the desired geometry of the left ventricle wall;    the securing step being carried out so that the element is attached to the left ventricle wall so that the left ventricle has desired geometry.    
     
     
         107 . The method of  claim 105 , further comprising the step of: 
 evacuating blood from a space between the element and the wall of the left ventricle.    
     
     
         108 . The method of  claim 105 , wherein: 
 the evacuating step is carried out until at least part of the left ventricle wall moves into contact with the element.    
     
     
         109 . The method of  claim 105 , wherein: 
 the securing step is carried out by driving an anchor through the wall of the left ventricle and into engagement with the element.    
     
     
         110 . The method of  claim 105 , wherein: 
 the providing step is carried out with a material positioned between the element and the left ventricle wall, the material being an adhesive which causes the element to become attached to the left ventricle wall.    
     
     
         111 . The method of  claim 105 , wherein: 
 the providing step is carried out with the element having a plurality of support members extending toward the apex.    
     
     
         112 . The method of  claim 105 , wherein: 
 the securing step is carried out with the element isolating at least one of a ventricular septal defect and a perforation in the ventricular wall.    
     
     
         113 . The method of  claim 105 , wherein: 
 the providing step is carried out with the element having a support member having flexible sections, the flexible sections bending to permit the support member to collapse.