Abstract: A method and related apparatus for the minimally invasive implantation about a heart of at least a deployable device such as a heart assist device or cardiac compression device. The method comprises the steps of performing a left thoracotomy or subxiphoid incision; obtaining access to the pericardial sac; making a generally linear incision in the pericardial sac; positioning an assembly having an insertion aperture member with an upper ring and a lower ring or flange and insertion tube having therein a deployable device. The apparatus of the present invention includes an insertion aperture member having an upper ring and a lower ring or flange; and an insertion tube having therein a deployable device adapted to be deployed from the insertion tube inside the pericardial sac via a generally linear incision.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, kits and devices that reduce dyskinesis and hypokinesis. For example, the direct compression cardiac device may be positioned about at least a portion of a heart, and includes a resilient inner panel in contact with at least a portion of the heart periphery, one or more resilient members positioned about the resilient inner panel and at least partially surrounded by an expandable outer panel. The resistance supplied by the inner panel to the heart may be modulated to control the end-diastolic heart volume and remodel the heart, the resistance supplied by the expandable outer panel to the heart may be modulated to control the end-systolic heart volume and remodel the heart or both.

Abstract: A method and related apparatus for the minimally invasive implantation about a heart of at least a deployable device such as a heart assist device or cardiac compression device. The method comprises the steps of performing a left thoracotomy or subxiphoid incision; obtaining access to the pericardial sac; making a generally linear incision in the pericardial sac; positioning an assembly having an insertion aperture member with an upper ring and a lower ring or flange and insertion tube having therein a deployable device. The apparatus of the present invention includes an insertion aperture member having an upper ring and a lower ring or flange; and an insertion tube having therein a deployable device adapted to be deployed from the insertion tube inside the pericardial sac via a generally linear incision.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, kits and devices that reduce dyskinesis and hypokinesis. For example, the direct compression cardiac device may be positioned about at least a portion of a heart, and includes a resilient inner panel in contact with at least a portion of the heart periphery, one or more resilient members positioned about the resilient inner panel and at least partially surrounded by an expandable outer panel. The resistance supplied by the inner panel to the heart may be modulated to control the end-diastolic heart volume and remodel the heart, the resistance supplied by the expandable outer panel to the heart may be modulated to control the end-systolic heart volume and remodel the heart or both.

Abstract: An enhanced-functionality prosthetic limb is disclosed, comprising a prosthetic hand or gripping device, and forearm, which may be body-powered or motor-powered, targeted primarily for pediatric use, attachable to the arm stump of a below-elbow, or above-elbow, with the inclusion of a prosthetic elbow, amputee individual, with incorporation of one or more of the following features: expandability in length or size to accommodate child growth or other expandability needs, grasp locking capability, individual finger locking capability, three degree of freedom wrist joint, dynamic tensional rotation control of wrist, dynamic grasp control to allow grasping of irregular objects, extended grasp for gripping larger objects, excessive force breakaway, and algorithms to support by user of care-provider adjustment of the prosthesis.