PERICARDIUM MANAGEMENT TOOL AND METHOD FOR INTRA-PERICARDIAL SURGICAL PROCEDURES

摘要

A tool and method for managing the pericardium during intra-pericardial procedures such as the delivery of cardiac support devices. One embodiment of the tool includes a tubular body of low friction material having a diameter, a fixed lip on an exterior end and an extendable lip on an interior end. The extendable lip moves with respect to the body between a retracted state and an expanded state. The tool is inserted through an incision in the pericardium and deployed by moving the lip to the expanded state. When deployed a barrier portion of the body engages the edges of the incision and the extendable lip lines the inside of the pericardium around the incision.