Intra-Operative Heart Size Measuring Tool

Abstract

A heart size measuring tool includes a tubular body, a flexible measuring cord having length indicia, a measuring cord support mechanism movable between retracted and extended states with respect to the body, and an actuating mechanism to move the measuring cord support mechanism. When in the retracted state the measuring cord support mechanism is positioned within the tubular body with the measuring cord in a collapsed position. When the measuring cord support mechanism is in the extended state the measuring cord extends around a portion of a heart to be measured. A scale on the body can be used in connection with the indicia on the measurement cord to provide a reading of the heart size.

1 . A method for measuring a size of a patient's heart in connection with the implantation of a therapeutic device surrounding at least a portion of the heart, including:
 inserting into a patient's body through a minimally invasive access port a heart measurement tool having a measurement device movable between extended and retracted states;   positioning a distal end portion of the heart measurement tool adjacent to an apex of the patient's heart while the measurement device is in the retracted state;   actuating the measurement tool to move the measurement device to the extended state around at least a portion of the patient's heart;   determining the heart size measurement using the measurement device in the extended state; and   actuating the measurement tool to move the measurement device to the retracted state; withdrawing the measurement tool from the patient's body.