Seam closure device and methods

Abstract

A method for tightening a cardiac support device includes forming offsets in excess material in the cardiac support device and inserting a fastener through the offsets. A device for tightening a cardiac support device includes first and second clamp members moveable into and out of mateable engagement. Each of the first and second clamp members includes offset-forming structure.

1 . A device for operably securing a cardiac support device around a mamalian heart; the cardiac support device comprising a jacket made of flexible material and being sized to have excess material when initially positioned around the heart; the device comprising: 
 (a) a jaw arrangement with cooperating pleat forming members; 
 (i) the pleat forming members having a height sufficient to gather the excess material; and  
 (ii) the pleat forming members being constructed and arranged to form pleats in the excess material.  
   
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 (a) the jaw arrangement defines a needle-accommodating groove.    
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the jaw arrangement includes: 
 (a) a first clamp member defining a first engagement surface; 
 (i) the first engagement surface having pleat forming members including a first row of peaks and valleys and a second row of peaks and valleys;  
 (ii) said first row being spaced from said second row to define a first clamp member groove;  
   (b) a second clamp member defining a second engagement surface; 
 (i) the second engagement surface having pleat forming members including a third row of peaks and valleys and a fourth row of peaks and valleys;  
 (ii) said third row being spaced from said fourth row to define a second clamp member groove;  
   (c) said first clamp member and second clamp member being moveable into and out of mateable engagement; 
 (i) mateable engagement including: 
 (A) the first row of peaks projecting into the third row of valleys;  
 (B) the third row of peaks projecting into the first row of valleys;  
 (C) the second row of peaks projecting into the fourth row of valleys;  
 (D) the fourth row of peaks projecting into the second row of valleys; and  
 (E) the first clamp member groove and the second clamp member groove together form an open channel.  
 
   
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 3  wherein: 
 (a) the first clamp member further includes a first aperture extending at least partially therethrough; and    (b) the second clamp member further includes a second aperture extending at least partially therethrough.    
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 4  further including: 
 (a) tongs having first and second extensions; 
 (i) said first extension being held by said first clamp member through said first aperture; and  
 (ii) said second extension being held by said second clamp member through said second aperture.  
   
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 (a) the jaw arrangement is straight.    
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 (a) the jaw arrangement is curved to follow an outer contour of a heart.