Abstract: The invention relates in some aspects to a device for use in anchoring an implant, including anchors, sutures, implants, clips, tools, lassos, and methods of anchoring among other methods. Anchors as disclosed herein could be utilized to secure a coaptation assistance device, an annuloplasty ring, an artificial valve, cardiac patch, sensor, pacemaker, or other implants. The implant could be a mitral valve ring or artificial mitral valve in some embodiments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wood preservative formulation comprising a biocidal agent which is a copper or zinc ion complexed with an amino compound selected from the group consisting of ammonia, a water soluble amine or alkanolamine and an aminocarboxylic acid and a stabilizer, as well as to aqueous treatment solutions comprising such a formulation and methods of treating wood or other cellulosic material utilising said formulation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wood preservative formulation comprising a biocidal agent which is a copper or zinc ion complexed with an amino compound selected from the group consisting of ammonia, a water soluble amine or alkanolamine and an aminocarboxylic acid and a stabilizer, as well as to aqueous treatment solutions comprising such a formulation and methods of treating wood or other cellulosic material utilising said formulation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wood preservative formulation comprising a biocidal agent which is a copper or zinc ion complexed with an amino compound selected from the group consisting of ammonia, a water soluble amine or alkanolamine and an aminocarboxylic acid and a stabilizer, as well as to aqueous treatment solutions comprising such a formulation and methods of treating wood or other cellulosic material utilising said formulation.

Abstract: The invention relates in some aspects to a device for use in anchoring an implant, including anchors, sutures, implants, clips, tools, lassos, and methods of anchoring among other methods. Anchors as disclosed herein could be utilized to secure a coaptation assistance device, an annuloplasty ring, an artificial valve, cardiac patch, sensor, pacemaker, or other implants. The implant could be a mitral valve ring or artificial mitral valve in some embodiments.

Abstract: A cardiac harness for treating or preventing congestive heart failure is configured to be placed about at least a portion of a patient's heart so as to apply a mild compressive force on the heart. In one embodiment, the cardiac harness comprises a plurality of spaced apart conductive panels arranged so that there is no electrical continuity circumferentially around the harness. In an additional embodiment, a cardiac harness is provided that is insulated so as not to conduct electricity circumferentially about the harness.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of preparing a cardiac harness for use in controllably delivering a medicament such as an mTOR inhibitor or aldosterone blockade from the surface of the cardiac harness to the epicardium of a patient's heart for the site-specific treatment of cardiac and non-cardiac maladies. The delivery of the medicament from the cardiac harness is achieved by: coating the medicament on the surface of the cardiac harness; coating the cardiac harness with a polymer material or dielectric material and impregnating the coating with the medicament; or by loading the medicament into an implant attached to the cardiac harness.

Abstract: A high fatigue life superelastic nickel-titanium (nitinol) wire, ribbon, sheet, tubing, or the like is disclosed. The nitinol has a 54.5 to 57.0 weight percent nickel with a balance of titanium composition and has less than 30 percent cold work as a final step after a full anneal and before shape setting heat treatment. Through a rotational beam fatigue test, fatigue life improvement of 37 percent has been observed.

Abstract: A cardiac harness for treating or preventing congestive heart failure is configured to be placed about at least a portion of a patient's heart so as to apply a mild compressive force on the heart. In one embodiment, the cardiac harness comprises a plurality of spaced apart conductive panels arranged so that there is no electrical continuity circumferentially around the harness. In an additional embodiment, a cardiac harness is provided that is insulated so as not to conduct electricity circumferentially about the harness.

Abstract: A delivery system for providing and deploying a cardiac harness over a heart. The delivery system includes an introducer tube having a plurality of distal fingers biased into a compressed delivery diameter. A dilator tube is slidably mounted within the introducer tube for dilating the fingers into an expanded diameter for deploying a suction cup into secure attachment with the heart. The suction cup is used to manipulate the heart as the cardiac harness is also deployed from the dilator tube over the suction cup, and over the heart. The suction cup is shaped to securely attach to the apex of the heart in one embodiment.

Abstract: A cardiac harness for treating or preventing congestive heart failure is configured to be placed about at least a portion of a patient's heart so as to apply a mild compressive force on the heart. In one embodiment, the cardiac harness comprises a plurality of spaced apart conductive panels arranged so that there is no electrical continuity circumferentially around the harness. In an additional embodiment, a cardiac harness is provided that is insulated so as not to conduct electricity circumferentially about the harness.

Abstract: A cardiac harness for treating a patient's heart includes elastic rows connected by a connector assembly. The connector assembly can have a specific pattern, or can be formed of elongated elastic material connecting all of the apices of adjacent rows. The connectors maintain proper spacing between rows or rings on the harness and provide longitudinal stability.

Abstract: A self-anchoring cardiac harness is configured to fit at least a portion of a patient's heart and includes a tissue engaging element for frictionally engaging an outer surface of a heart. The engaging element produces sufficient friction relative to the outer surface of the heart, so that the harness does not migrate substantially relative to the heart. There is enough force created by the engaging element that there is no need to apply a suture to the heart in order to retain the cardiac harness. Further, the engaging element is adapted to engage the outer surface of the heart without substantially penetrating the outer surface.

Abstract: A delivery device configured for pulling a cardiac harness onto the heart is disclosed. The device includes a plurality of pull rods, a housing, and a control mechanism. The invention also includes a method of pulling a cardiac harness onto a heart. The method includes inserting the delivery device through a minimally invasive incision below the heart. Lines are connected with the cardiac harness and disposed over a distal end of a plurality of pull rods. The lines are pulled by the surgeon to mount the harness on the heart.

Abstract: A self-anchoring cardiac harness is configured to fit at least a portion of a patient's heart and includes a tissue engaging element for frictionally engaging an outer surface of a heart. The engaging element produces sufficient friction relative to the outer surface of the heart, so that the harness does not migrate substantially relative to the heart. There is enough force created by the engaging element that there is no need to apply a suture to the heart in order to retain the cardiac harness. Further, the engaging element is adapted to engage the outer surface of the heart without substantially penetrating the outer surface.

Abstract: A cardiac harness for treating a patient's heart includes elastic rows connected by a connector assembly. The connector assembly can have a specific pattern, or can be formed of elongated elastic material connecting all of the apices of adjacent rows. The connectors maintain proper spacing between rows or rings on the harness and provide longitudinal stability.

Abstract: A system for treating the heart includes a cardiac harness associated with a cardiac rhythm management devise which includes at least electrodes and a power source. The cardiac harness applies a compressive force on the heart during diastole and systole. The electrodes will deliver an electrical shock to the heart for defibrillation and/or can be used for pacing/sensing. The cardiac harness and electrodes are delivered and implanted on the heart by minimally invasive access.

Abstract: A system for treating the heart includes a cardiac harness associated with a cardiac rhythm management devise which includes at least electrodes and a power source. The cardiac harness applies a compressive force on the heart during diastole and systole. The electrodes will deliver an electrical shock to the heart for defibrillation and/or can be used for pacing/sensing. The cardiac harness and electrodes are delivered and implanted on the heart by minimally invasive access.

Abstract: A pace/sense electrode is associated with a cardiac harness for treating the heart. The pace/sense electrode is positioned on the epicardial surface of the heart, preferably under the cardiac harness, to provide pacing and sensing therapy to the heart. Compressive forces from the cardiac harness serve to hold the pace/sense electrode in place and to push the electrode into direct contact with the epicardial surface of the heart. Various means are provided for placing the pace/sense electrode under the cardiac harness in a minimally invasive procedure.

Abstract: A pace/sense electrode is associated with a cardiac harness for treating the heart. The pace/sense electrode is positioned on the epicardial surface of the heart, preferably under the cardiac harness, to provide pacing and sensing therapy to the heart. Compressive forces from the cardiac harness serve to hold the pace/sense electrode in place and to push the electrode into direct contact with the epicardial surface of the heart. Various means are provided for placing the pace/sense electrode under the cardiac harness in a minimally invasive procedure.