Patent ID: 8303481

Claim:
A device for assisting heart function, comprising: at least two electromagnetic plates, the at least two electromagnetic plates having an inner surface; a cardiac processor electrically coupled to at least one of the at least two electromagnetic plates; a bladder having an inner chamber, the bladder attached to the inner surfaces of each of the at least two electromagnetic plates and disposed between the at least two electromagnetic plates; a source of gas in communication with the inner chamber of the bladder; and at least one catheter having a proximal end and a distal end and having a lumen therethrough, the at least one catheter defining at least one aperture positioned therethrough at or near the distal end of the at least one catheter and comprising a first pericardial balloon coupled to the at least one catheter at or near the distal end of the at least one catheter, the proximal end of the at least one catheter in communication with the inner chamber of the bladder.