Patent ID: 6085754
Filing Date: 2000-07-11
Classification: A61F,A61P,D04B,D10B

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;reducing a size of said heart;placing a jacket on said heart;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 on said heart after said step of reducing the size of said heart to snugly conform the jacket to an external geometry of said heart in said reduced size and assume a maximum adjusted volume at said reduced size for said jacket to constrain circumferential expansion of said heart beyond said maximum adjusted volume during diastole and permit unimpeded contraction of said heart during systole;surgically closing access to said heart while leaving said jacket in place on said heart.