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: The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery, and a method for making it from a single length of tubing. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common axis and interconnected by one or more interconnective elements. The individual radially expandable cylindrical elements consist of ribbon-like material disposed in an undulating pattern. Portions of the expanded stent project outwardly into engagement with the vessel wall to more securely attach the stent.

Abstract: A delivery device configured for delivering a cardiac harness onto the heart is disclosed. The device includes a plurality of push rods, a housing, and a control mechanism. The device also includes a method of pulling a cardiac harness onto a heart. The method includes inserting the delivery device through a minimally invasive incision sized to receive the housing. The housing is advanced through the incision so that the housing is adjacent the heart and advanced distally out of the housing by advancing the control assembly distally over a shaft. The housing mounts the cardiac harness on the heart and releases the harness from the push rods.

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 method and apparatus for treating heart failure is configured to be placed about at least a portion of a patient's heart to apply a mild compressive force on the heart over a range of elastic deformation of the apparatus. The apparatus can be shifted to second range of deformation. In some embodiments, the apparatus is shifted to the second range of deformation by application of a stimulus or alteration of environmental conditions beyond a threshold level.

Abstract: A cardiac harness is configured to fit about a portion of a patient's heart so as to exert a compressive force on the heart during at least a portion of the cardiac cycle. The harness can be constructed of a plurality of individual modules assembled ex vivo or in vivo. The modules can have different physical characteristics, such as having different compliance, and may or may not include spring hinges. Portions of a cardiac harness can be connected to each other using a coupling mechanism such as, for example, a zip coupler.

Abstract: A cardiac harness is configured to fit about a portion of a patient's heart so as to exert a compressive force on the heart during at least a portion of the cardiac cycle. The harness can be constructed of a plurality of individual modules assembled ex vivo or in vivo. The modules can have different physical characteristics, such as having different compliance, and may or may not include spring hinges. Portions of a cardiac harness can be connected to each other using a coupling mechanism such as, for example, a zip coupler.

Abstract: A cardiac harness for treating congestive heart failure is disclosed. The harness applies elastic, compressive reinforcement on the left ventricle to reduce deleterious wall tension and to resist shape change of the ventricle during the mechanical cardiac cycle. Rather than imposing a dimension beyond which the heart cannot expand, the harness provides no hard limit over the range of diastolic expansion of the ventricle. Instead, the harness follows the contour of the heart throughout diastole and continuously exerts gentle resistance to stretch. Also disclosed is a method of delivering the cardiac harness to the heart minimally invasively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating heart failure is configured to be placed about at least a portion of a patient's heart to apply a mild compressive force on the heart over a range of elastic deformation of the apparatus. The apparatus can be shifted to second range of deformation. In some embodiments, the apparatus is shifted to the second range of deformation by application of a stimulus or alteration of environmental conditions beyond a threshold level.

Abstract: A cardiac harness is configured to fit about a portion of a patient's heart so as to exert a compressive force on the heart during at least a portion of the cardiac cycle. The harness can be constructed of a plurality of individual modules assembled ex vivo or in vivo. The modules can have different physical characteristics, such as having different compliance, and may or may not include spring hinges. Portions of a cardiac harness can be connected to each other using a coupling mechanism such as, for example, a zip coupler.

Abstract: The apparatus includes and elongate body having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The body includes a cavity sized to contain a cardiac harness in a compacted configuration and also includes a plurality of elongate push rods movable with respect to the body. The cardiac harness is releasably connected to each of the push rods such that advancement of the push rods in a distal direction moves the harness from a compacted configuration, within the cavity, to an expanded configuration, outside the cavity. The apparatus also includes a releasing member for releasing the connections between the push rods and the harness upon actuation of the releasing member by a user.

Abstract: A cardiac harness for treating congestive heart failure is disclosed. The harness applies elastic, compressive reinforcement on the left ventricle to reduce deleterious wall tension and to resist shape change of the ventricle during the mechanical cardiac cycle. Rather than imposing a dimension beyond which the heart cannot expand, the harness provides no hard limit over the range of diastolic expansion of the ventricle. Instead, the harness follows the contour of the heart throughout diastole and continuously exerts gentle resistance to stretch. Also disclosed is a method of delivering the cardiac harness to the heart minimally invasively.

Abstract: The apparatus includes and elongate body having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The body includes a cavity sized to contain a cardiac harness in a compacted configuration and also includes a plurality of elongate push rods movable with respect to the body. The cardiac harness is releasably connected to each of the push rods such that advancement of the push rods in a distal direction moves the harness from a compacted configuration, within the cavity, to an expanded configuration, outside the cavity. The apparatus also includes a releasing member for releasing the connections between the push rods and the harness upon actuation of the releasing member by a user.

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 delivery system for delivering and mounting a cardiac harness having electrodes on a heart including an elongate body having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The body includes a cavity sized to contain the cardiac harness and electrodes in a compacted configuration and also includes a plurality of elongate push rods movable with respect to the body. The cardiac harness and electrodes are releasably connected to the push rods such that, advancement of the push rods in a distal direction moves the cardiac harness and electrodes from a compacted configuration, within the cavity, to an expanded configuration, outside the cavity. The apparatus also includes a releasing member for releasing the connections between the push rods and the cardiac harness and electrodes upon actuation of the releasing member by a user.

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.