Methods and apparatus are disclosed for attaching cardiac devices onto a
natural heart by employing arrays of gripping elements, such as hooks or
barbs. The gripping elements are designed to penetrate and lodge
themselves in the epicardial tissue in order to secure the device to at
least a portion of the surface of the heart muscle. The gripping elements,
although designed to penetrate the surface of the heart, have limited
depth penetration so as to avoid puncture of blood vessels. The attachment
mechanisms disclosed herein can also permit both attachment and detachment
of device.
