Patent ID: 6537203
Filing Date: 2003-03-25
Classification: A61F,A61P

Abstract:
A method for treating cardiac disease of a heart having a longitudinal axis from an apex to a base and having an upper portion and a lower portion divided by an A-V groove, said heart including a valvular annulus adjacent said A-V groove and ventricular lower extremities adjacent said apex, the method comprising:surgically accessing said heart; placing a jacket on said heart, said jacket comprising: flexible run resistant material comprising intertwined fibers; said intertwined fibers comprising multi-filament strands with each of said strands having a plurality of longitudinally extending filaments of substantially inelastic material, wherein opposing surfaces of said multi-filament strands define a cell structure; said jacket defining a volume between an open upper end and a lower end, said jacket dimensioned for said apex of said heart to be inserted into said volume through said open upper end and for said jacket to be slipped over said heart, said jacket further dimensioned for said jacket to have a longitudinal dimension between said upper and lower ends sufficient for said jacket to constrain said lower portion at least between said valvular annulus and said ventricular lower extremities; securing said jacket to said heart with said jacket having portions disposed on opposite sides of the heart between said valvular annulus and said ventricular lower extremities; adjusting said jacket to snugly conform to an external geometry of said heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for said jacket to substantially constrain circumferential expansion of said heart beyond said maximum adjusted volume during diastole and permit substantially unimpeded contraction of said heart during systole wherein said jacket is inelastic such that said device does not assist during systole or substantially impede filling of said heart during diastole prior to said heart reaching said maximum adjusted volume; and surgically closing access to said heart while leaving said jacket in place on said heart.