Seam closure device and methods

1. A method for operably securing a cardiac support device around a mammalian heart; the cardiac support device being loosely positioned over the heart; the cardiac support device including a jacket constructed of a flexible material; the method comprising:

(a) simultaneously forming a plurality of offsets in the jacket material; and

(b) inserting a fastener through the offsets.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said step of inserting a fastener includes inserting a suture through the offsets.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said step of inserting a fastener includes inserting a needle with a suture attached thereto through the offsets.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) said step of simultaneously forming a plurality of offsets includes forming a plurality of undulations.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein:

(a) said step of simultaneously forming a plurality of undulations includes forming a plurality of regular, continuous folds in the jacket material.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein:

(a) said step of simultaneously forming a plurality of offsets includes clamping together jacket material.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein:

(a) said step of clamping includes squeezing the jacket material between opposing clamp members.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein:

(a) said step of squeezing includes squeezing the jacket material between first and second opposing clamp members;

(i) the first clamp member having a first plurality of peaks and valleys;

(ii) the second clamp member having a second plurality of peaks and valleys;

(A) the second plurality of peaks sized and arranged to mateably engage the first plurality of valleys; and

(B) the second plurality of valleys sized and arranged to mateably engage the first plurality of peaks.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein:

(a) said step of inserting a fastener through the offsets includes inserting a needle having a suture attached thereto through a passage defined by the first clamp member and the second clamp member.

10. A method according to claim 9 further including:

(a) after said step of inserting a fastener, releasing the first clamp member and the second clamp member from the cardiac support device.

11. A method according to claim 9 wherein:

(a) said step of inserting a needle having a suture attached thereto includes pulling the suture through the offsets until a T-bar secured to the suture abuts one of the first clamp member and second clamp member.

12. A method according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the jacket includes material having first and second lateral edges defining a slot therebetween; and

the method further comprises:

(b) aligning at least a portion of the first lateral edge with at least a portion of the second lateral edge to form an aligned region.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein:

(a) said step of aligning is conducted concurrently with said step of simultaneously forming a plurality of offsets.

14. A method according to claim 12 wherein:

(a) said step of simultaneously forming a plurality of offsets includes clamping the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge together.

15. A method according to claim 12 wherein:

(a) said step of inserting a fastener through the offsets includes inserting a suture through the offsets to secure the first lateral edge to the second lateral edge.

16. A method according to claim 15 wherein:

(a) the cardiac support device includes a jacket comprising a continuous flexible mesh net with a base edge, an opposite apex, the first and second lateral edges extending from the base edge, and the open slot extending between the first and second lateral edges from the base edge and terminating at the apex; and

(b) said step of inserting a fastener through the offsets to secure the first lateral edge to the second lateral edge includes securing an entire length of the first lateral edge to the second lateral edge from the apex to the base edge.