Abstract:
A method for direct myocardial revascularization by providing a catheter with a catheter body having proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending therethrough, a control handle at the proximal end of the catheter body, and a tip section having proximal and distal ends. The tip section is fixedly attached to the distal end of the catheter body. The catheter also comprises an electromagnetic sensor in the distal portion tip section for producing electrical signals indicative of the location of the electromagnetic sensor. The catheter further comprises at least one electrode carried by the tip section for mapping electrical activity of the heart tissue and at least one electrode lead wire electrically connected to the electrode. An optic fiber is provided within the catheter with its distal end being substantially flush with the distal end of the tip section. Manipulation of the control handle results in deflection of the tip section. The method further comprises inserting the catheter through a blood vessel into a heart chamber, monitoring the location of the distal end of the catheter tip section within the heart on a visual display, contacting the heart wall with at least one electrode to measure the electrical activity of the heart at the points of contact to locate ischemic areas of the heart tissue, deflecting the tip section so that the distal ends of the tip section and optic fiber are generally normal to an ischemic area of heart tissue, and transmitting sufficient laser energy through the optic fiber to create a channel in the heart tissue.
Abstract:
A lead for delivering electrical stimulation pulses to pace the cardiac muscle and for sensing electrical signals occurring in the cardiac muscle is disclosed which as a rigid helix disposed at the extreme distal end thereof which rigid helix may be operated by the implanting physical to extend the tip of the rigid helix from a stored position within the distal end of the lead to a deployed position projecting from the distal end of the lead. The rigid helix pierces and engages the heart tissue to anchor the lead in place within the heart. The tip of the rigid helix has an axial bore therein which is filled with a therapeutic medication such as a steroid or steroid-based drug for inhibiting inflammation and promoting tissue growth. After the tip of the helical screw is disposed in the heart tissue, the therapeutic medication will be slowly eluted into the surrounding tissue, thereby minimizing the trauma of implantation and assisting in the anchoring of the lead.
Abstract:
A system includes an adjustable implant configured for implantation internally within a subject, the adjustable implant comprising a first permanent magnet configured for rotation about a first axis, the first permanent magnet operatively coupled to a drive transmission configured to alter a dimension of the adjustable implant. The system further includes an external adjustment device configured for placement on or adjacent to the skin of the subject, the external adjustment device comprising a second permanent magnet configured for rotation about a second axis and a third permanent magnet configured for rotation about a third axis different from the second axis; and wherein cooperative rotation of the second permanent magnet about the second axis and rotation of the third permanent magnet about the third axis result in rotation of the first permanent magnet about the first axis.
Abstract:
Methods and devices are provided for support of a body structure. The devices can be adjusted within the body of a patient in a minimally invasive or non-invasive manner such as by applying energy percutaneously or external to the patient's body. The energy may include, for example, acoustic energy, radio frequency energy, light energy and magnetic energy. Thus, as the body structure changes size and/or shape, the size and/or shape of the annuloplasty rings can be adjusted to provide continued reinforcement. In certain embodiments, the devices include a first body member including a first shape memory material configured to transform the annuloplasty ring from a first configuration having a first size of a dimension to a second configuration having a second size of the dimension. The second size is less than said first size in septal lateral distance. The devices also include a second body member including a second shape memory material configured to transform the annuloplasty ring from the second configuration to a third configuration having a third size of the dimension, wherein the second size is less than the third size in septal lateral distance.
Abstract:
Embodiments of a dynamically adjustable artificial chordae tendinae implant are described. In some embodiments the implant includes a body portion, including an adjustable portion. In some embodiments, the implant includes a plurality of adjustable portions. In some embodiments the adjustable element can include a shape memory material. The adjustable portion can be configured to transform from a first conformation to a second conformation in response to an activation energy. In some embodiments, the activation energy can be one of electromagnetic energy, acoustic energy, light energy, thermal energy, electrical energy, mechanical energy, or a combination of energies. The implant couples a heart valve leaflet to a papillary muscle. Activation of the shape memory material regulates tension between the muscle and valve leaflet improving coaptation of heart valve leaflets, and reducing or eliminating regurgitation.
Abstract:
A gastrointestinal implant system includes an adjustable restriction device having a contact surface configured for at least partially engaging a surface of a gastrointestinal tract of a mammal. The implant system further includes an implantable interface including a first driving element, the first driving element being moveable and operatively coupled to the adjustable restriction device by an actuator configured to change the dimension or configuration of the contact surface in response to movement of the first driving element. The system also includes an external adjustment device having a second driving element configured to non-invasively engage the first driving element of the implantable interface from a location external to the mammal. In the system, actuation of the second driving element of the external adjustment device produces movement in the first driving element of the implantable interface and results in a change in the dimension or configuration of the contact surface.
Abstract:
Methods and devices are provided for support of a body structure. The devices can be adjusted within the body of a patient in a minimally invasive or non-invasive manner such as by applying energy percutaneously or external to the patient's body. The energy may include, for example, acoustic energy, radio frequency energy, light energy and magnetic energy. Thus, as the body structure changes size and/or shape, the size and/or shape of the annuloplasty rings can be adjusted to provide continued reinforcement. In certain embodiments, the devices include a body member including a shape memory material, and an energy absorption enhancement material configured to absorb energy in response to an activation energy. The energy absorption enhancement material is in thermal communication with said shape memory material. The body member has a first size of a dimension in a first configuration and a second size of the dimension in a second configuration, and is configured to be implanted in the first configuration into a heart. The body member is configured to transform from the first configuration to the second configuration in response to the activation energy. The second configuration is configured to reduce a dimension of a cardiac valve annulus in the heart.
Abstract:
An activation device for applying energy to an implanted annuloplasty ring is described. In some embodiments, the activation device includes an outer elongate member having an outer elongate member distal end and an outer elongate member proximal end, and a lumen therebetween. In some embodiments, the activation device further includes an inner elongate member having a inner elongate member distal end and a inner elongate member proximal end, and a lumen therebetween, wherein the inner elongate member is slidably insertable through the lumen of the outer elongate member. In some embodiments, the activation device further includes at least one adjustable spline having spline proximal and spline distal ends, the spline distal end connected to the inner tubular member distal end and the spline proximal end connected to the outer tubular member distal end, wherein the adjustable spline is configured to flex as the inner tubular member distal end is drawn proximally toward the outer tubular member distal end while the inner elongate member resides in the lumen of the outer elongate member. In some embodiments, the activation device further includes at least one energy-transfer element coupled to the adjustable spline.
Abstract:
A system for manipulating a portion of the skeletal system of a mammal includes an implant having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion configured for mounting at a first location of the skeletal system and the second portion configured for mounting at a second location of the skeletal system. The system further includes an adjustment device disposed on the implant and configured to apply a biasing force to the skeletal system, the adjustment device including a magnetic element configured for cyclic movement, the magnetic element being operatively coupled to a drive element configured to alter at least one of the distance or the force between the first location and the second location. The system includes an implantable feedback device operatively coupled to the implant that is configured to produce a response that is indicative of a condition of the implant which can be identified non-invasively.
Abstract:
Methods and devices are provided for support of a body structure. The devices can be adjusted within the body of a patient in a minimally invasive or non-invasive manner such as by applying energy percutaneously or external to the patient's body. The energy may include, for example, acoustic energy, radio frequency energy, light energy and magnetic energy. Thus, as the body structure changes size and/or shape, the size and/or shape of the annuloplasty rings can be adjusted to provide continued reinforcement. In certain embodiments, the devices include a body member including a ferromagnetic shape memory material. The body member has a first size of a dimension in a first configuration and a second size of the dimension in a second configuration. The body member is configured to be implanted into a heart so as to reinforce a cardiac valve annulus in the first configuration. The body member is configured to transform from the first configuration to the second configuration in vivo in response to a magnetic field. The body member in the second configuration is configured to reduce a size of the cardiac valve annulus.