The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 27, 2001
Filed:
Sep. 21, 1999
Kurt D. Krueger, Stacy, MN (US);
Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc., St. Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for treating congestive heart disease and related cardiac complications such as valvular disorders includes a constraining device placed on the heart. The constraining device is a jacket of flexible material of knit construction defining a volume between an open upper end and a lower end. The jacket is dimensioned for the apex of the heart to be inserted into the volume through the open upper end and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. The jacket is further dimensioned for the jacket to have a longitudinal dimension between the upper and lower ends sufficient for said jacket to constrain said lower portion of the heart. The jacket adapted to be adjusted on the heart to snugly conforming to an external geometry of the heart to constrain circumferential expansion of the heart beyond. A flexible drawstring is laced through the jacket material for the knit material to be bunched together as one end of the drawstring is pulled. A releasable stay member is provided for holding the draw string in a fixed position relative to said jacket upon release of a pulling tension on the draw string with the stay member releasable in response to a resumed pulling tension on the draw string.