Patent ID: 7640065

Claim:
An implantable cardiac therapy appliance comprising: a mechanical support comprising a flexible structure configured to conform to an outer contour of a patient's heart and provide structural support at least during diastole to resist further distension of the heart, wherein the mechanical support is adjustable in circumference; a first electrode arranged on an inner surface of the support and configured to substantially circumferentially contact an outer surface of the patient's heart, wherein the first electrode comprises an exposed wire conductor portion arranged in a both a vertically and horizontally extending and alternating diagonal pattern with respect to the mechanical support and has opposite ends defining a gap, such that the size of the gap varies depending on the adjustment of the mechanical support; a second electrode configured to be implanted within an interior of the patient's heart; and a cardiac stimulation device wherein the stimulation device automatically monitors the heart for indications of fibrillation and, upon determining indications of fibrillation, selectively provides a defibrillation stimulation in the range of 100 to 360 volts between the first and second electrodes.