METHOD AND APPARATUS TO UNLOAD A FAILING HEART

Abstract

A method and apparatus for treatment of heart failure by reducing LV diastolic volume and pressure by pumping blood out of the LV during diastole. A pump is synchronized to the heart cycle, connected to the apex of the LV and discharging into the right atrium of the heart. A left ventricle to aorta one-way valved conduit with added compliance decreases blood pressure in the aorta and the resistance to the ejection of blood by the heart decreases the energy requirements of the heart.

Description

SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment and best mode of the invention is illustrated in the attached drawings that are described as follows:

FIG. 1 illustrates the surgical implantation of the diastolic unloading pump and blood conduits.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D illustrate alternative designs of the diastolic unloading pump.

FIG. 3 illustrates the design of the pump controller.

FIG. 4 illustrates diastolic unloading with blood flow and pressure during one heart beat.

FIG. 5 illustrates an algorithm of diastolic unloading control.

FIG. 6 illustrates added aortic compliance.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrates design and operation of one embodiment of the aortic compliance during the heart cycle.

Claims

1. A method to assist a failing heart of a patient comprising: detecting a diastole of the heart;pumping blood from a left ventricle of the heart during the diastole;reducing the pumping of blood during a systole of the heart, andrepeating the steps of detection, pumping and reducing pumping during several heart beats

2. A method as in claim 1 where the pumped blood is returned to a venous system of the patient.

3. A method as in claim 1 where the step of pumping is executed during a latter half of a diastole period of the heart.

4. A method as in claim 3 wherein the step of pumping is executed during a period of 150 to 500 milliseconds at an end of the diastole period.

5. A method as in claim 1 where pumping includes removing 4 to 10 milliliters of blood during the diastole.

6. A method as in claim 1 where the detecting the diastole includes detecting a QRS of the heart.

7. A method as in claim 6 further comprising delaying the pumping following the detection of the QRS.

8. A method for assisting a failing heart of a patient comprising: implanting a tubular connector to an apex of the heart in fluid communication with a left ventricular chamber of the heart,implanting a one-way valve configured to allow a blood flow from the left ventricular chamber of the heart and prevent retrograde flow, andimplanting a compliance element adapted for energy storage and release in fluid communication with the connector and the ventricular chamber of the heart, and the arterial system of the patient.

9. A method as in claim 8 where the blood flow is returned to the aorta of the patient substantially during a diastole of the heart.

10. A system to assist a failing heart, the system comprising: an implantable tubular connector adapted to provide fluid communication between an apex of the heart and a left ventricular chamber of the heart;a one-way valve connected to the connector, anda controller operating the one-way valve to allow a blood flow from the left ventricular chamber and prevent retrograde flow.