Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A static device for use with an unrestricted heart having an outer wall and at least one chamber, said device comprising: a plurality of members configured to be positioned adjacent the epicardial surface of the heart; and a connector joining the members, and said connector comprises a band configured for extending around the chamber and joining at least two of the members, wherein said members are fixed in a spaced relationship relative to each other such that at least two portions of the outer wall are displaced inwardly from the unrestricted position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A static device for use with an unrestricted heart having an outer wall and at least one chamber, said device comprising: a plurality of members configured to be positioned adjacent the epicardial surface of the heart; and a connector joining the members, and said connector comprises a band configured for extending around the chamber and joining at least two of the members, wherein said members are fixed in a spaced relationship relative to each other such that at least two portions of the outer wall are displaced inwardly from the unrestricted position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said members comprises a rectangular shape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1 , said members comprises an inner surface having an convex curved configuration toward the epicardial surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 1 , having first and second members, wherein said first and second member are positioned in a spaced relationship relative to each other about 180 degrees apart.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device of claim 1 , having a first member configured to be positioned adjacent the anterolateral surface of the chamber, and a second member configured to be positioned adjacent the posteromedial surface of the chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 1 , having first, second and third members, said first, second, and third members are positioned in a spaced relationship relative to each other about 120 degrees apart.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The device of claim 6 , wherein the first member is configured to be positioned adjacent the anteroseptal portion of the chamber, the second member is configured to be positioned adjacent the posteroseptal portion of the chamber, and the third member is configured to be positioned adjacent the posterolateral portion of the chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said device comprises a pad adjacent an inner surface of at least one member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 8 , wherein the pad comprises low durometer polymer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 8 , wherein the pad comprises a cushion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 10 , wherein said cushion comprises a gel-filled cushion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 10 , wherein said cushion comprises a fluid-filled cushion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said connector comprises a chord.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 13 , wherein said connector comprises heavy braided polymer impregnated polyester suture core with a polyester sleeve.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 13 , wherein said connector comprises a heavy monofilament polypropylene suture.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 13 , wherein said connector comprises expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said connector comprises a pin.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 17 , wherein said members of each comprise an aperture and wherein said pin comprises a threaded portion adjacent one end of said pin, and a fastener receivable by said pin.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1 , comprising at least one fixation device on said member configured for insertion into the heart.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 19 , wherein the fixation device comprises a pin for penetrating the wall of the heart.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 19 , wherein the fixation device comprises a button for positioning adjacent the interior surface of the heart and a cord joining said connector and said button.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
65 words
The device of claim 1 , comprising a generally U-shaped harness having a first rigid portion configured to be positioned adjacent the anterior portion of the chamber, a second rigid portion configured to be positioned adjacent the posterior portion of the chamber, and a flexible portion interposed between said first and second portion and configured to be positioned around the apical portion of the heart.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 22 , comprising a basal connector configured to be interposed between the first and second rigid portions of said harness.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 22 , wherein said basal connector is configured to be attachable to the annulus of an atrioventricular valve.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
108 words
A static device for use with a natural heart having an outer surface and at least one chamber, said device comprising: (1) a generally U-shaped harness having a first rigid portion having a first end portion, and configured to be positioned adjacent the anterior portion of the chamber, a second rigid portion having a second end portion, and configured to be positioned adjacent the posterior portion of the chamber, and a flexible portion interposed between the first portion and the second portion, and configured to be positioned around the apical portion of the heart; and (2) a connector joining the first end portion and the second end portion.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
108 words
A static device for use with a natural heart having an outer surface and at least one chamber, said device comprising: (1) a generally U-shaped harness having a first rigid portion having a first end portion, and configured to be positioned adjacent the anterior portion of the chamber, a second rigid portion having a second end portion, and configured to be positioned adjacent the posterior portion of the chamber, and a flexible portion interposed between the first portion and the second portion, and configured to be positioned around the apical portion of the heart; and (2) a connector joining the first end portion and the second end portion.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 25 , wherein the flexible portion is configured to be positioned adjacent the apical portion of the heart.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 25 , wherein the flexible portion is configured to permit flexion in a plane tangent to the outer surface of the heart.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 25 , wherein the connector comprises a basil connector configured to extend through the tissue of the heart.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 25 , wherein the connector is configured to lie adjacent the atrial surface of the anterior annulus of an atrioventricular valve.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 29 , wherein the connector is configured to lie adjacent the mitral valve.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises a basil connector configured to extend through the tissue of the heat.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein the connector is configured to lie adjacent the atrial surface of the anterior annulus of an atrioventricular valve.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 32 , wherein the connector is configured to lie adjacent the mitral valve.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
88 words
A static device for use with an unrestricted heart having an outer wall and at least one chamber, said device comprising, a plurality of members configured to be positioned adjacent the epicardial surface of the heart; and a first connector joining the members, the first connector having portions configured to be encased in the tissue of the heart, wherein said members are fixed in a spaced relationship relative to each other such that at least two portions of the outer wall are displaced inwardly from the unrestricted position.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
88 words
A static device for use with an unrestricted heart having an outer wall and at least one chamber, said device comprising, a plurality of members configured to be positioned adjacent the epicardial surface of the heart; and a first connector joining the members, the first connector having portions configured to be encased in the tissue of the heart, wherein said members are fixed in a spaced relationship relative to each other such that at least two portions of the outer wall are displaced inwardly from the unrestricted position.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 34 , wherein the connector is configured to be inserted through the apical portion of the heart.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 34 , wherein the second connector is curved.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 34 , comprising a second connector, the second connector is configured to be positioned adjacent the atrial surface of the anterior annulus of an atrioventricular valve.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
43 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises: a first connector configured to be positioned adjacent the endocardium of the chamber; and a second connector configured to be positioned adjacent the atrial surface of the anterior annulus of an introventricular valve.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 38 , wherein the second connector is curved.