Design and features of the Acorn CorCap Cardiac Support Device: the concept of passive mechanical diastolic support.

The Laplace equation points to the importance of ventricular wall stress as a factor in heart failure development and progression. Based on animal and clinical experience with active and passive cardiomyoplasty, a synthetic passive constraint was proposed as a means of reducing excessive wall stress, and thus assuaging disease progression. The Acorn CorCap CSD Cardiac Support Device was designed to provide passive diastolic support and serve as a constraint against chronic cardiac dilation in heart failure. Basic and uncomplicated in appearance, the device nevertheless incorporates numerous sophisticated structural and functional features intended maximize therapeutic value. The device is fabricated from medical grade multifilament polyester yarn, in a specific knit construction chosen to provide structural integrity, low physical profile, pliability for intimate contact with the epicardial surface, ease of manipulation during implantation, and anisotropic compliance characteristics to encourage beneficial reverse remodeling.