Cardiac harness for treating heart disease

Abstract

A system for treating the heart includes a cardiac harness associated with a cardiac rhythm management devise which does not have a lead system. The cardiac harness applies a compressive force on the heart during diastole and systole, and the cardiac rhythm management devise will deliver an electrical shock to the heart for defibrillation and/or can be used for pacing/sensing. The cardiac harness and cardiac rhythm management devise are both delivered and implanted by minimally invasive access.

1 - 12 . (canceled)  
   
   
       13 . A system for treating the heart, comprising: 
 a cardiac harness configured to conform generally to at least a portion of a heart; and    a leadless defibrillator having a housing containing a source of electrical energy, a capacitor, and heart rhythm sensing circuitry, and the leadless defibrillator includes at least a pair of electrodes disposed on the housing and electrically interfaced to the circuitry.    
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the leadless defibrillator includes at least one sensing electrode disposed on the housing and electrically insulated from the housing and electrically interfaced to the circuitry.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the pair of electrodes are disposed on opposite ends of the housing to deliver therapy to the heart.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the cardiac harness is coated with a dielectric material.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the cardiac harness includes undulating strands that are interconnected.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the cardiac harness includes a plurality of engaging elements to provide a gripping force between the cardiac harness and the outer surface of the heart.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the leadless defibrillator senses electrical signals from the heart and provides a defibrillating shock through the cardiac harness and through the heart.  
   
   
       20 - 24 . (canceled)