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  Cardiac harness having interconnected strandsUSPTO Application #: 20080027274Title: Cardiac harness having interconnected strands Abstract: A cardiac harness for treating a patient's heart includes elastic rows connected by a connector assembly. The connector assembly can have a specific pattern, or can be formed of elongated elastic material connecting all of the apices of adjacent rows. The connectors maintain proper spacing between rows or rings on the harness and provide longitudinal stability. (end of abstract) Agent: Fulwider Patton LLP - Los Angeles, CA, US Inventors: Lilip Lau, Matthew Fishler, Craig Mar, Steven Meyer, Anuja Patel USPTO Applicaton #: 20080027274 - Class: 600037000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Surgery, Internal Organ Support Or Sling The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080027274. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application depends for priority upon U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/535,888 filed Jan. 12, 2004, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a device for treating heart failure. More specifically, the invention relates to a cardiac harness configured to be fit around at least a portion of a patient's heart. The cardiac harness includes multiple elastic rows or undulating strands extending circumferentially around the heart and connected together by a connector assembly. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Congestive heart failure ("CHF") is characterized by the failure of the heart to pump blood at sufficient flow rates to meet the metabolic demand of tissues, especially the demand for oxygen. One characteristic of CHF is remodeling of at least portions of a patient's heart. Remodeling involves physical change to the size, shape and thickness of the heart wall. For example, a damaged left ventricle may have some localized thinning and stretching of a portion of the myocardium. The thinned portion of the myocardium often is functionally impaired, and other portions of the myocardium attempt to compensate. As a result, the other portions of the myocardium may expand so that the stroke volume of the ventricle is maintained notwithstanding the impaired zone of the myocardium. Such expansion may cause the left ventricle to assume a somewhat spherical shape. [0004] Cardiac remodeling often subjects the heart wall to increased wall tension or stress, which further impairs the heart's functional performance. Often, the heart wall will dilate further in order to compensate for the impairment caused by such increased stress. Thus, a cycle can result, in which dilation leads to further dilation and greater functional impairment. [0005] Historically, congestive heart failure has been managed with a variety of drugs. Devices have also been used to improve cardiac output. For example, left ventricular assist pumps help the heart to pump blood. Multi-chamber pacing has also been employed to optimally synchronize the beating of the heart chambers to improve cardiac output. Various skeletal muscles, such as the latissimus dorsi, have been used to assist ventricular pumping. Researchers and cardiac surgeons have also experimented with prosthetic "girdles" disposed around the heart. One such design is a prosthetic "sock" or "jacket" that is wrapped around the heart. [0006] What has been needed, and is currently unavailable, is a cardiac harness having multiple elastic strands or rows interconnected by a connector assembly that prevents the longitudinal migration of the rows after the cardiac harness is mounted on the patient's heart. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention relates generally to a cardiac harness that is configured to fit at least a portion of a patient's heart. The cardiac harness includes adjacent rows that are connected to one another by one or more connectors. The connectors help to maintain the position of the elastic rows relative to one another. In one embodiment, the connectors form a connector assembly between the adjacent rows of the cardiac harness. The connector assembly has a pattern that provides longitudinal stability between the adjacent rows so that the rows do not expand or shift longitudinally while mounting the harness on the heart or during use after the harness is mounted on the heart. [0008] In another embodiment, an elongated connector is woven through the apices of adjacent rows to again maintain the spacing between the rows during delivery and use of the cardiac harness. Typically, the connectors are formed from an elastomeric material, preferably silicone rubber. [0009] The connectors are formed by placing the undulating strands or rows in a mold and injecting the elastomeric material through the gates in the mold to form the connectors. Typically, the connectors extend between the apices of adjacent rows so that the elastomeric material formed in the mold flows around the apices of adjacent rows. Preferably, the elastomer is a silicone rubber or similar material. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 depicts a schematic view of the heart with a prior art cardiac harness placed thereon. [0011] FIGS. 2A-2B depict a spring hinge of a prior art cardiac harness in a relaxed position and under tension. [0012] FIG. 3 depicts an unattached elongated strand or row, or series of spring elements that are coated with a dielectric material. [0013] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a cardiac harness having a plurality of rows connected by a connector assembly. [0014] FIG. 5 depicts a portion of a elastic row showing the ends of the row being connected by a connector. [0015] FIG. 5A depicts a portion of a row showing the ends of the row being connected by a connector. [0016] FIG. 6 depicts an enlarged partial plan view of a cardiac harness wherein the connectors provide uniform spacing between adjacent rows. [0017] FIG. 6A depicts an enlarged partial plan view of a cardiac harness wherein the connectors form a pattern that permits distended spacing between adjacent rows. [0018] FIG. 7 depicts an enlarge partial plan view of a cardiac harness wherein the connectors form a connector assembly. [0019] FIG. 8 depicts an enlarged partial plan view of a cardiac harness wherein the connectors form a connector assembly. Continue reading... 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