Patent ID: 6494825
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: A61F,A61M

Abstract:
An apparatus for relieving stress of heart muscle tissue in a wall of a heart having a chamber, the muscle tissue having an epicardium layer, an endocardium layer and a midwall portion between the epicardium and endocardium layers, the epicardium layer, the endocardium layer and the midwall portion extending generally longitudinally to form the wall of the heart, the apparatus comprising:a first biocompatible and implantable elongate member, elongate in a longitudinal direction, configured to be connected to the heart wall, the elongate member being bendable and being sufficiently resistant to elongation that natural stretching of the heart wall does not cause elongation of the elongate member, wherein the elongate member comprises: a longitudinal strut; and a first plurality of protrusions extending from the longitudinal strut in a first direction, the first protrusions being sufficiently resistant to elongation in the first direction such that natural stretching of the heart wall does not cause elongation of the first protrusions in the first direction.