Equipment
The implantable components consist of a series of titanium anchor pairs (one Internal and one External in each pair) covered in polyester cloth (Figure 1 ).
The anchor pairs are connected to one another by an adjustable-length tether made of poly-ether-ether ketone (PEEK). Distance between anchors is variable and is determined by the position of the External Anchor on the Tether. The Internal Anchor is hinged to facilitate low profile passage through a jugular vein catheter that is inserted perpendicularly to the septum, after which it can be pivoted 90° to lie flat on the septum.
The External Anchor is delivered through mini-thoracotomy and houses a cam-based reversible locking mechanism allowing apposition of the two anchors at a continuum of positions. Once the proper distance and appropriate Tether force between the two is established, excess Tether length is cut and removed.
The Revivent TC™ System consists of: