COLLAPSIBLE DELIVERY TOOL FOR CARDIAC SUPPORT DEVICE
A cardiac support device and placement tool assembly. The cardiac support device has a flexible jacket with an open base end. The placement tool includes a cannula having an open end, a collapsible support on the end of the cannula releasably connected to the cardiac support device at a plurality of locations around the base end, and an acutuator. The collapsible support is movable between a collapsed state in a retracted position at which the collapsible support and cardiac support device are within the end of the cannula, and an open state in an extended position at which the collapsible support and cardiac support device are outside of the cannula with the collapsible support holding the base end of the cardiac support device in an open position for placement onto a patient's heart. The actuator moves the collapsible support between the collapsed and open states.
1 . A placement tool for placing a cardiac support device of the type having a flexible jacket with an open base end on a patient's heart, including:
a body having an end; and
a support on the end of the body configured to be releasably connected to a cardiac support device and to hold the base end of the cardiac support device in an open position for placement on a patient's heart.
2 . The placement tool of claim 1 wherein the support is configured to be releasably connected to the cardiac support device at a plurality of locations around the base end.
3 . The placement tool of claim 1 wherein the support includes a collapsible structure movable between a retracted position within the body and an extended position outside of the body.
4 . The placement tool of claim 3 wherein the collapsible support is movable between the retracted and extended positions from an end of the body.
5 . The placement tool of claim 4 wherein the body is a hollow member, and the collapsible support is within the hollow member when in the retracted position.
6 . The placement tool of claim 5 and further including an actuator configured to move the collapsible support between a collapsed state and an open state for holding the end of the cardiac support device in the open position.
7 . The placement tool of claim 1 wherein: the support is movable between a collapsed state and an open state for
holding the end of the cardiac support device in the open position; and the tool further includes an actuator configured to move the support between
the collapsed and open states.
8 . A cardiac support device and placement tool assembly, including:
a cardiac support device having a flexible jacket with an open base end;
a placement tool, including:
a cannula having an end; and
a collapsible support on the end of the cannula releasably connected to the cardiac support device at a plurality of locations around the base end, the collapsible support movable between a collapsed state in a retracted position at which the collapsible support and cardiac support device are within the end of the cannula and an open state in an extended position at which the collapsible support and cardiac support device are outside of the cannula with the collapsible support holding the base end of the cardiac support device in an open position for placement onto a patient's heart; and
an actuator to move the collapsible support between the collapsed and open states.
9 . A method for placing a cardiac support device of the type having a flexible jacket with an open base end on a patient's heart, including:
making an incision in the patient's body to provide access to the pericardial space around the patient's heart;
causing the cardiac support device to be in a collapsed state and releasably mounted at a plurality of locations around the base end to a placement tool;
inserting the placement tool and cardiac support device into the pericardial space, and manipulating the tool to position the cardiac support device adjacent to the patient's heart, while the cardiac support device is in the collapsed state;
operating the placement tool to cause the cardiac support device to be in an open state with the base end of the cardiac support device in an open position for placement onto a patient's heart;
manipulating the placement tool to maneuver the cardiac support device into position on the patient's heart;
releasing the cardiac support device from the placement tool; and
removing the tool through the incision.
10 . The method of claim 9 wherein:
causing the cardiac support device to be in a collapsed state and mounted to a placement tool includes:
mounting the cardiac support device to a collapsible support; and
causing the collapsible support to be in a collapsed state; and
operating the placement tool to cause the cardiac support device to be in an open state includes causing the collapsible support to assume an open state.
11 . The method of claim 10 and further including causing the collapsible support to return to the collapsed state before removing the tool through the incision.
12 . The method of claim 11 wherein causing the collapsible support to assume an open state includes operating an actuator on the placement tool.
13 . The method of claim 10 wherein causing the collapsible support to assume an open state includes operating an actuator on the placement tool.