Cardiac harness having interconnected strands

Abstract

A cardiac harness for treating a patient's heart includes elastic rows connected by a connector assembly. The connector assembly can have a specific pattern, or can be formed of elongated elastic material connecting all of the apices of adjacent rows. The connectors maintain proper spacing between rows or rings on the harness and provide longitudinal stability.

1 - 26 . (canceled)  
   
   
       27 . A method of making a cardiac harness for mounting on a heart, comprising: 
 providing a first row and second row of elastic members;    providing a mold;    placing the rows of elastic members at least partially in the mold; and    injecting connector material into the mold so that the connector material extends between a portion of the first row and a portion of the second row.    
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein placing the first row into the mold comprises stretching the first row.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the connector material comprises an elastomer.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the elastomer is silicone rubber.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the connector material is a polymer.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the polymer is taken from the group of polymers consisting of medical grade polymers, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, and nylon.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein ridges are formed on a surface of the connectors during the molding process.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein protrusions are formed on a surface of the connectors during the molding process.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the connectors are attached at an apex on the first row and the second row.  
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the silicone rubber is baked in the mold at temperature of about 150° C. for a period of about five minutes.  
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein multiple connectors are formed simultaneously by injecting the connector material through multiple gates.