Patent ID: 6881185

Claim:
A device for treating cardiac disease of a heart having a longitudinal axis from an apex to a base and having an upper and 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 device comprising: A. a cardiac constraint jacket: i. 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 placed 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 cover at least said lower portion of said heart; ii. said jacket adapted to be secured to said heart with said jacket having portions disposed at least on opposite sides of said heart between said valvular annulus and said ventricular lower extremities; B. a delivery device for placing said jacket on said heart; said delivery device including: i. a plurality of attachment locations, each of said attachment locations capable of releasably securing to separate positions surrounding a periphery of said open upper end of said jacket; ii. a proximal handle; iii. a plurality of spacing arms connected to said handle and extending to distal ends with said attachment locations positioned at said distal ends; iv. said capability for releasably securing including at least one of said spacing arms having a rod member movable relative thereto with an end disposed at said attachment locations, said rod member movable between a first position engaging said jacket at said attachment location and a second position disengaged from said jacket.