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Intrapericardial assist device and associated method

  • US 5,971,911 A
  • Filed: 06/26/1998
  • Issued: 10/26/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A surgical method for assisting cardiac function, comprising:

  • providing a pair of inflatable balloons in collapsed configurations;

    inserting said balloons into an intrapericardial space about a patient'"'"'s heart, said step of inserting including (a) inserting a hypodermic type needle through a skin surface and into said intrapericardial space, and (b) injecting said balloons in said collapsed configurations into said intrapericardial space;

    disposing one of said balloons about one portion of the patient'"'"'s heart and the other of said balloons about another portion of the patient'"'"'s heart; and

    differentially inflating said balloons in said intrapericardial space to differentially compress said one portion and said another portion of the patient'"'"'s heart.

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