A method and related apparatus for the minimally invasive implantation about a heart of at least a deployable device such as a heart assist device or cardiac compression device. The method comprises the steps of performing a left thoracotomy or subxiphoid incision obtaining access to the pericardial sac making a generally linear incision in the pericardial sac positioning an assembly having an insertion aperture member with an upper ring and a lower ring or flange and insertion tube having therein a deployable device. The apparatus of the present invention includes an insertion aperture member having an upper ring and a lower ring or flange and an insertion tube having therein a deployable device adapted to be deployed from the insertion tube inside the pericardial sac via a generally linear incision.
