Patent ID: 7235042

Claim:
A method for applying a cardiac support device to a heart of a mammal; the method comprising: (a) surgically accessing a heart, including inserting a delivery device into a thorax of the mammal; the delivery device including a cardiac support device having a jacket; (i) the jacket comprising a continuous flexible mesh net with a base edge, an opposite apex, first and second lateral edges extending from the base edge, and an open slot between the first and second lateral edges; the slot extending from the base edge and terminating at the apex; (ii) the jacket further including: (A) a first anterior strand secured to the base edge adjacent to the first lateral edge; (B) a second anterior strand secured to the base edge adjacent to the second lateral edge; (C) a first posterior strand secured to the base edge and positioned closer to the first anterior strand than to the second anterior strand; and (D) a second posterior strand secured to the base edge and positioned closer to the second anterior strand than to the first anterior strand; and (b) positioning the jacket around at least a portion of the heart by applying a pulling force to the jacket including pulling each of the first anterior, second anterior, first posterior, and second posterior strands to pull the jacket around the heart.