Source: https://patents.justia.com/patent/5957977
Timestamp: 2020-07-05 08:41:51
Document Index: 17292767

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art.\n3', 'art.\n17', 'art.\n18', 'art.\n23']

US Patent for Activation device for the natural heart including internal and external support structures Patent (Patent # 5,957,977 issued September 28, 1999) - Justia Patents Search
Justia Patents US Patent for Activation device for the natural heart including internal and external support structures Patent (Patent # 5,957,977)
Activation device for the natural heart including internal and external support structures
Jan 2, 1996 - University of Cincinnati
Referring now to FIG. 6, general alignment of the yoke 70 is maintained by at least one transmural cord 86, and preferably, a plurality of cords 86 that penetrate the walls of the natural heart 10 and connect to the stint 52. The cord 86 is preferably made of a heavy braided, polymer-impregnated polyester suture core (such as #5 Ethiband.RTM. by Ethicon, Inc.) covered in the intermyocardial portion with a braided sleeve of polyester yarn to promote firm tissue growth around the cord 86. When it is necessary to utilize more than one cord 86 with the present invention, spacing of the cords 86 should preferably be at intervals of between about 15 mm to 20 mm along the yoke 70, from the septal splint 54 and the first ring 56 extending obliquely outwardly toward the left ventricle exterior wall for insertion into the left ventricle margin of the yoke 70. More preferably, the cords 86 should be positioned for avoiding contact with the coronary vessels 30. The cords 86 vary in length such that the splint 54 and first ring 56 are oriented beneath the gel-filled cushion portion while the septum stint 52 and the first ring 56 are held stable in general alignment with the natural heart 10, and are generally not allowed to move away from the ventricular exterior wall when pressure is applied to a natural heart 10 via by activator 74.
1. A mechanical ventricular activation device for use with a natural heart, said device comprising:
(a) a stint for placement within the interior volume of a natural heart adjacent cardiac tissue thereof, said stint configured for supporting at least a portion of the internal tissue of the natural heart;
(b) a yoke for placement around a portion of the exterior surface of the natural heart in general alignment with said stint;
(c) at least one cord connecting said stint and said yoke; and
(d) an activator attached to said yoke for providing cyclically alternating forces.
2. A device for use with a natural heart for placement within the interior portion of the natural heart thereof, comprising:
a substantially perforate septal splint configured for allowing blood flow therethrough and for stabilizing at least a portion of the internal tissue of the natural heart, the septal splint having a frame with an opening; and a plurality of suture strands extending transverse the opening of said frame, wherein the plurality of suture strands is configured to be positioned in contact with at least a portion of the internal tissue of the heart.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein said frame comprises a plurality of interlocking struts connected to each other.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein said device comprises:
a first ring configured for placement adjacent one of the annuli of the natural heart;
a second ring for placement adjacent another of the annuli of the natural heart; and
a connector of artificial material for joining said first ring and said second ring.
6. The device of claim 2, wherein said septal splint comprises a tennis racket-like shaped configuration.
10. The activation device of claim 2, further comprising:
(a) a yoke for placement around a portion of the exterior surface of the natural heart in general alignment with said splint; and
(b) at least one cord connecting said splint to said yoke.
11. The activation device of claim 10, wherein said yoke is sized and configured for placement adjacent at least a portion of an atrioventricular groove of the natural heart.
17. A device for use with a natural heart for placement within the interior portion of the natural heart adjacent cardiac tissue thereof, comprising:
a connector of artificial material joining said first ring and said second ring configured for extending through said tissue of said heart.
18. The device of claim 17, wherein said first ring can be configured for placement adjacent an atrioventricular valve of the natural heart.
23. A mechanical ventricular activation device for use with a natural heart, said device comprising:
(a) a stint for placement within the interior volume of a natural heart adjacent cardiac tissue thereof;
(c) at least one cord connecting said stint to said yoke; and
(d) an activator attached to said yoke, said activator comprising an arm having a distal end and a plurality of bands connected to said arm.
24. The device of claim 23, wherein said plurality of bands extend away from said arm.
3590815 July 1971 Schiff
3613672 October 1971 Schiff
3713439 January 1973 Cabezudo et al.
4904255 February 27, 1990 Chareire et al.
5109843 May 5, 1992 Melvin et al.
0119357 September 1984 EPX
1191-076 November 1985 SUX
Patent number: 5957977
Assignee: University of Cincinnati (Cincinatti, OH)
Inventor: David Boyd Melvin (Cincinnati, OH)
Application Number: 8/581,914
Current U.S. Class: 623/3; 623/2; Internal Organ Support Or Sling (600/37); Cardiac Augmentation (pulsators, Etc.) (600/16); Aortic Balloon Pumping (600/18); Means For Enclosing Internal Body Organ (e.g., Heart) (601/153)
International Classification: A61F 224; A61M 110; A61M 1362; A61H 700;