Pericardial Reinforcement Device (BIDMC 950)

Category:    Medical Devices

KeyWords:  Vascular/Thrombosis;  Surgery;  

BIDMC ID:    950

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is a collection of symptoms that indicate the heart muscle is weakened and not able to pump enough blood to meet the body's energy demands. Heart failure typically develops slowly after injury to the heart, such as a heart attack, too much strain on the heart due to years of untreated high blood pressure or a diseased heart valve. This highly debilitating and progressive disorder affects more than five million people in the US and 25 million worldwide. An estimated 550,000 new HF cases are diagnosed each year in the US alone. Medications have failed to provide long-term solutions to this condition due to undesirable side effects. More recently, devices have been designed, such as the CorCap Cardiac Support Device, to provide a mechanical support for the heart. This device is presently under clinical study and results suggest that a restrictive mechanical force around the heart can stabilize and possibly reverse the adverse progression of this condition. One shortcoming of the CorCap and similar devices is the invasive nature of the procedure itself. INVENTION: The present cardiac reinforcement device is delivered via a minimally invasive catheter-based approach. Additionally, the device is designed to allow incremental adjustment according to the extent of dilatation of the heart muscle and to allow ongoing adjustments to be made after delivery.

Inventor:   Roger Laham, MD

Commercial Opportunity:

Competitive Advantages:

The present device, by virtue of its minimally-invasive delivery approach, provides a solution to the major short-coming of existing cardiac reinforcement devices that require open heart surgery with its associated morbidity and mortality. Additionally, the adjustable nature of the device allows for customization to the patient’s needs at the time of delivery and afterwards as the heart muscle undergoes remodeling and repair.

Related Publications:

State of Development:

A preliminary prototype has been designed and successfully tested in an animal model to demonstrate proof of principal.

Related Technology URL:

http://research.bidmc.harvard.edu/research/ResearchPIInfo.ASP?Submit=Display&PersonID=378

Patent Status:

US and foreign patents pending and published: WO27123997A2

TVO Contact Info:
     Catherine M Lenich
     Senior Associate TVO
     clenich@bidmc.harvard.edu
     Phone: 617-667-0568   Fax: 617-667-0646

     Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
     Technology Ventures Office  Room: BR-0200
     330 Brookline Avenue
     Boston, MA 02215