| Collapsible delivery tool for cardiac support device -> Monitor Keywords |
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Collapsible delivery tool for cardiac support deviceRelated Patent Categories: Surgery, Internal Organ Support Or SlingCollapsible delivery tool for cardiac support device description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070225547, Collapsible delivery tool for cardiac support device. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/810,099, filed Mar. 26, 2004, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/367,346, filed Feb. 13, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,893,392, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/084,806, filed Feb. 25, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,544,168, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/696,651, filed Oct. 25, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,375,608, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/483,466, filed Jan. 14, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,165,122, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/935,723, filed Sep. 23, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,077,218, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/720,556, filed Oct. 2, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,343, which applications and issued patents are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention is generally directed to a device and method for reinforcement of the cardiac wall. The invention is particularly suited for the treatment of cardiac disease which result in atrial or ventricular dilation. The invention provides reinforcement of the cardiac wall during diastolic chamber filling to prevent or reduce cardiac dilation in patients known to have experienced such dilation or who have a predisposition for such dilation occurring in the future. The cardiac reinforcement structure is typically applied to the epicardial surface of the heart. [0003] Cardiac dilation occurs with different forms of cardiac disease, including heart failure. In some cases, such as post-myocardial infarction, the dilation may be localized to only a portion of the heart. In other cases, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, there is typically increased resistance to filling of the left ventricle with concomitant dilation of the left atria. In dilated cardiomyopathy, the dilation is typically of the left ventricle with resultant failure of the heart as a pump. In advanced cases, dilated cardiomyopathy involves the majority of the heart. [0004] With each type of cardiac dilation, there are associated problems ranging from arrhythmias which arise due to the stretch of myocardial cells, to leakage of the cardiac valves due to enlargement of the valvular annulus. Devices to prevent or reduce dilation and thereby reduce the consequences of dilation have not been described. Patches made from low porosity materials, for example Dacron.TM., have been used to repair cardiac ruptures and septal defects, but the use of patches to support the cardiac wall where no penetrating lesion is present has not been described. [0005] Drugs are sometimes employed to assist in treating problems associated with cardiac dilation. For example, digoxin increases the contractility of the cardiac muscle and thereby causes enhanced emptying of the dilated cardiac chambers. On the other hand, some drugs, for example, beta-blocking drugs, decrease the contractility of the heart and thus increase the likelihood of dilation. Other drugs including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors such as enalopril help to reduce the tendency of the heart to dilate under the increased diastolic pressure experienced when the contractility of the heart muscle decreases. Many of these drugs, however, have side effects which make them undesirable for long-term use. [0006] Accordingly, there is a need for a device that can reduce or prevent cardiac dilation and reduce the problems associated with such dilation. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention is an improved placement tool and method for use with a cardiac support device having a flexible jacket with an open base end. A placement tool in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a body having an end and support on the end of the body for releasable connection to a cardiac support device. The support holds the base end of the cardiac support device in an open position for placement on a patient's heart. In another embodiment of the invention, the support is a collapsible support movable between a retracted position within the body and an extended position outside the body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] FIG. 1 is a frontal view of one embodiment of a cardiac reinforcement patch. [0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cardiac reinforcement patch of FIG. 1 in place on the epicardium of a heart. [0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a cardiac reinforcement jacket according to the invention. [0011] FIG. 4 is a second embodiment of a cardiac reinforcement jacket according to the invention. [0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the cardiac reinforcement jacket shown in FIG. 3 in place around the heart. [0013] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross sectional view of one embodiment of a mechanism for selectively adjusting the predetermined size of a cardiac reinforcement jacket. [0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a placement tool which can be used for applying a cardiac reinforcement jacket. [0015] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a placement tool being employed to place a cardiac reinforcement jacket over the heart. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0016] The present invention is directed to reinforcement of the heart wall during diastolic filling of a chamber of the heart. The invention is particularly suited for use in cardiomyopathies where abnormal dilation of one or more chambers of the heart is a component of the disease. [0017] As used herein, "cardiac chamber" refers to the left or right atrium or the left or right ventricle. The term "myocardium" refers to the cardiac muscle comprising the contractile walls of the heart. The term "endocardial surface" refers to the inner walls of the heart. The term "epicardial surface" refers to the outer walls of the heart. [0018] The heart is enclosed within a double walled sac known as the pericardium. The inner layer of the pericardial sac is the visceral pericardium or epicardium. The outer layer of the pericardial sac is the parietal pericardium. [0019] According to the present invention, a cardiac reinforcement device (CRD) limits the outward expansion of the heart wall during diastolic chamber filling beyond a predetermined size. The expansion constraint applied to the heart by a CRD is predetermined by the physician based on, for example, cardiac output performance or cardiac volume. In contrast to known ventricular assist devices which provide cardiac assistance during systole, a CRD according to the present disclosure provides cardiac reinforcement during diastole. Continue reading about Collapsible delivery tool for cardiac support device... 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