1. US20040167563 - Minimally invasive direct cardiac massage device and method

A minimally invasive device for performing direct cardiac massage including an inflatable bladder mounted on a rigid inflation tube. The rigid inflation tube is used to push the bladder into the sternocostal space through an incision in the upper abdomen just below the xiphoid process. A tear-away insertion sleeve is provided over the balloon, so that the device may easily be inserted in to the body. The insertion sleeve includes various features that assist in placement of the device and removal of the sleeve. After insertion into the sternocostal space and removal of the insertion sleeve, the bladder is repeatedly inflated and deflated to massage the heart and provide blood flow.