Low friction delivery tool for a cardiac support device

Abstract

A delivery device for efficiently delivering a cardiac support device of the type having a jacket. The device includes a body, a deployment mechanism and an actuating mechanism. The deployment mechanism is for releasable connection to a cardiac support device and movable within the jacket between retracted and extended states to drive the jacket between collapsed and open configurations. At least portions of the deployment mechanism within the jacket have a lubricious surface to substantially reduce friction between the jacket and a heart onto which the jacket is being positioned. The actuating mechanism moves the deployment mechanism between the retracted and extended states.

1 . An assembly including a cardiac support device and delivery device, comprising:
 a delivery device including:
 a body; 
 a deployment mechanism movable between retracted and extended states with respect to the body; and 
 an actuating mechanism for moving the deployment mechanism between the retracted and extended states; and 
   a cardiac support device releasably attached to the deployment mechanism, including a jacket having an inside surface, open base portion and an apex portion; and   one or more lubricious elements releasably secured with respect to the inside surface of the jacket.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the one or more lubricious elements includes a plurality of lubricious elements at spaced locations around the inside of the jacket. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2  wherein the one or more lubricious elements are releasably secured to the jacket at the base portion. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the one or more lubricious elements includes a single unitary lubricious element. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 the one or more lubricious elements are releasably secured to the jacket; and   the invention further includes a removal structure for removing at least portions of the one or more lubricious elements from the jacket.   
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 5  wherein:
 the one or more lubricious elements includes a plurality of lubricious elements at spaced locations around the inside of the jacket; and   the removal structure further includes one or more pull members connected to the lubricious elements.   
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6  wherein the pull members are formed from lubricious material. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 6  wherein the pull members are releasably connected to the actuating mechanism of the deployment device. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 5  wherein:
 the jacket has an open apex; and   the deployment mechanism extends through the open apex.   
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9  wherein:
 the one or more lubricious elements includes a plurality of lubricious elements at spaced locations around the inside of the jacket; and   the removal structure further includes one or more pull members connected to the lubricious elements and extending through the open apex of the jacket.   
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 10  wherein the pull members are formed from lubricious material. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 10  wherein portions of the pull members are connected to the actuating mechanism of the deployment device. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 5  wherein at least portions of the deployment mechanism within the jacket have a lubricious surface. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 5  wherein the removal structure includes one or more pull members connected to the one or more lubricious elements. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 14  and wherein:
 the removal structure includes a weakened structure on the one or more lubricious elements; and   the pull members are connected to the lubricious elements at the weakened structure.   
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the one or more lubricious elements are releasably secured to the jacket. 
     
     
         17 . A delivery device for use with a cardiac support device of the type having a jacket, including:
 a body;   a deployment mechanism on the body for releasable connection to a cardiac support device and movable within the jacket between retracted and extended states to drive a jacket between collapsed and open configurations, wherein at least portions of the deployment mechanism within the jacket have a lubricious surface to substantially reduce friction between the jacket and a heart onto which the jacket is being positioned; and   an actuating mechanism on the body for moving the deployment mechanism between the retracted and extended states.   
     
     
         18 . The delivery device of  claim 17  wherein the deployment mechanism includes a plurality of support members having sufficiently large lubricious surfaces to enable the efficient positioning of the jacket onto a heart. 
     
     
         19 . The delivery device of  claim 18  wherein the support members have a width and a thickness, and wherein the width of at least substantial portions of the members is substantially greater that the thickness of the members.