Splint assembly for improving cardiac function in hearts, and method for implanting the splint assembly

An apparatus for improving cardiac function, comprising:

• an elongate member attached to a leader member at one end thereof and being configured to extend transverse a heart chamber;
• a first heart-engaging assembly attached to the other end of the elongate member and configured to engage a first exterior location of a heart wall;
• and
• a second heart-engaging assembly configured to slidably receive the leader member and the elongate member to thereby secure to the elongate member and to engage a second exterior location of the heart wall, wherein the second heart-engaging assembly is configured to be slidably positioned along the elongate member prior to securement to the elongate member such that a length of the elongate member between the first and second heart-engaging assemblies can be adjusted during placement of the elongate member transverse the heart chamber.

An apparatus for determining and marking a location on a heart wall, comprising:

• a marker delivery mechanism configured to hold a marker;
• and
• an actuator operatively connected to the marker delivery mechanism for delivering a marker to the location,
• wherein a distal end of the delivery mechanism is configured to be visible relative to internal heart structures.

A method for placing a splint assembly transverse a heart chamber, comprising:

• providing an elongate member with a leader member attached to a first end and a first heart-engaging assembly attached to a second end;
• guiding the leader member through a first exterior location on a heart wall;
• guiding the leader member through a second exterior location on the heart wall to thereby extend the elongate member transverse the heart chamber;
• and
• adjusting the length of the elongate member extending through the heart chamber by securing a second heart-engaging assembly to the elongate member at a position along the length of the elongate member exterior the chamber at the second location.

A tool for fixing an elongate member to a housing, comprising:

• an engagement member configured to engage a fixation member to be advanced within the housing;
• a wire having a first end secured to the engagement member, the wire being configured to pass through the housing;
• and
• a handle connected to a second end of the wire,
• wherein the engagement member and the wire are configured to move through the housing to advance the fixation member within the housing and into engagement with the elongate member when the handle is actuated.