Cardiac harness for treating congestive heart failure and for defibrillating and/or pacing/sensing

Abstract

A system for treating the heart includes a cardiac harness associated with a cardiac rhythm management devise which includes at least electrodes and a power source. The cardiac harness applies a compressive force on the heart during diastole and systole. The electrodes will deliver an electrical shock to the heart for defibrillation and/or can be used for pacing/sensing. The cardiac harness and electrodes are delivered and implanted on the heart by minimally invasive access.

1 - 64 . (canceled)  
   
   
       65 . A cardiac rhythm management device, comprising: 
 a cardiac harness formed from a nitinol alloy and mounted on the epicardial surface of the heart;    pacing/sensing electrodes attached to the cardiac harness so that the electrodes are in direct, non-penetrating contact with the epicardial surface of the heart;    the pacing/sensing electrodes having a surface area in the range from about 2 mm 2  to about 12 mm  2 m; and    leads extending from the electrodes to a pulse generator.    
   
   
       66 . The device of  claim 65 , wherein the electrodes are configured in a single ring shape for unipolar operation.  
   
   
       67 . The device of  claim 65 , wherein the electrodes are configured as two rings for bi-polar operation.  
   
   
       68 . The device of  claim 65 , wherein at least one pacing/sensing electrode is attached to the harness adjacent the left ventricle and at least one other pacing/sensing electrode is attached to the harness adjacent any location on the heart other than the left ventricle.  
   
   
       69 . The device of  claim 65 , wherein the pacing/sensing electrodes are electrically insulated from the cardiac harness.