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:
May. 08, 2007
Filed:
Jan. 06, 2003
Albert K Chin, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Albert K Chin, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Origin Medsystems, Inc., Santa Clara, CA (US);
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for using the apparatus are disclosed for cardiac restraint. More specifically, the apparatus and methods are directed to accessing the pericardium, accessing the heart within the pericardium, and restraining the heart by at least partially enclosing the heart with the apparatus. An embodiment of a cardiac restraint apparatus according to the present invention comprises a jacket, the jacket having a rim which defines an opening for receiving a heart. The apparatus also comprises a knot pusher that has a hollow elongate body, as well as a strand that extends around the rim of the jacket and is tied into a slipknot. The strand is positioned such that at least one end portion of the strand extends through the knot pusher such that a distal end of the knot pusher can be moved into engagement with the slipknot, whereby pulling the end portion of the strand away from the heart while pushing the knot pusher against the slipknot and reducing the diameter of the opening defined by the rim. In addition, the apparatus comprises one or more guide elements that are attached to the jacket.