HEART WALL ACTUATION SYSTEM FOR THE NATURAL HEART WITH SHAPE LIMITING ELEMENTS

摘要

An actuation system (72) for assisting the operation of the natural heart includes an actuator element (74) adapted to be positioned proximate a portion of a heart wall. The actuator element (74) is operable for acting on the heart wall portion to effect a change in the shape of the heart. A shape-limiting element (86) is configured for being positioned proximate a heart wall. The shape-limiting element (86) is operable for flexing to assume a curvature no greater than a predetermined curvature when the heart wall is acted upon and maintaining that predetermined curvature to control the shape of the actuated heart.