Patent ID: 8246539
Filing Date: 2012-08-21
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method for managing a patient's pericardium during an intra-pericardial procedure, including: making an incision though the pericardium to provide access to the pericardial space; inserting a plurality of strips into and through the incision, each of the plurality of strips formed from a thin sheet of flexible material and having an internal end internal to the incision and a malleable metal embedded therein and capable of being deformed and self-retaining a deformed state; circumferentially spacing the plurality of strips around the incision immediately adjacent or overlapping each other to form a barrier with the plurality of strips engaging exposed edges of the pericardium; and radially extending the internal ends of the strips to a radially extended fanned arrangement around the exposed edges of the pericardium to form a lip inside the incision and line the incision, wherein the malleable metal causes the strips to retain the radially extended fanned arrangement of the internal ends of the strips.