Patent ID: 8092363
Filing Date: 2012-01-10
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. An external heart device, comprising: (a) a band dimensioned to be received around a patient's heart, the band comprising an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein some but not all areas of the inner layer and outer layer are bound to one another; and (b) at least two fillable chambers in the band, the at least two fillable chambers being spaced apart from one another and located in areas where the inner layer and the outer layer are not bound to one another, the at least two fillable chambers being separated by a gap, wherein the gap and each of the at least two fillable chambers have a circumferential length, and wherein the circumferential length of the gap is greater than the circumferential length of each of the at least two fillable chambers; wherein the at least two fillable chambers are positioned on the heart spaced apart from one another with the gap being placed over heart vasculature so as to form a pressure-reducing bridge over the heart vasculature contacting and applying constant localized pressure to the heart in a predetermined location to modify a heart valve shape when the at least two fillable chambers are filled.