Abstract: Disclosed herein is cooling sports bra that provides both support and cooling effect to a wearer. The cooling sports bra comprises a front panel configured to cover a chest area of a human torso. The front panel includes a first layer forming an outer surface, a second layer forming an inner surface, and a pair of front cooling pads are placed between the first and second layer. The front cooling pads are either fixed to the second layer or removable between the first and the second layer. The cooling sports bra further comprises a back panel coupled to the front panel, and the back panel includes at least one back cooling layer of a size and shape either fixed or removably attached to an inner surface of the back panel. The cooling sports bra further comprises a base support band coupled to the front and back panel.

Abstract: The various embodiments herein relate to systems and methods for controlling the operation of a pulsatile heart assist device in a patient. The systems and methods include utilizing sounds and electrical signals produced by the heart to control the operation of the heart assist device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to deforming a patient's artery. In a preferred embodiment, the deformation pressure is applied to the outer wall of the artery.

Abstract: The inventions disclosed herein relate to systems for securing medical devices to a blood vessel of a patient, including securing a vessel deforming component to a blood vessel. Certain embodiments relate to wraps configured to be secured around a blood vessel, including wraps configured to hold a vessel deformer adjacent a blood vessel, and further including, for example, a pulsatile balloon adjacent the aorta.

Abstract: The various embodiments herein relate to systems and methods for controlling the operation of a pulsatile heart assist device in a patient. The systems and methods include utilizing sounds and electrical signals produced by the heart to control the operation of the heart assist device.

Abstract: The various embodiments disclosed herein relate to combination heart assist systems, methods, and devices that include both an electrical therapy device and a mechanical heart assist device. Various operational modes can be implemented using these embodiments, including a synchronized pacing mode, an internal CPR mode, and an internal workout mode.

Abstract: The various embodiments herein relate to pumps for use with various medical devices. The pumps can be positive displacement pumps or gear pumps. Each pump has at least one fluid transfer opening defined in the pump that allows for transfer of fluid at a predetermined flow rate that provides for deflation of the device in a predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to providing counter-pulsation heart assist by deforming the aorta. In a preferred embodiment, the deformation pressure is applied by cyclically, preferably in synchrony with the diastolic period of the heart. The deformation pressure may be applied to the outer wall of the aorta or to a patch covering a resected opening in the wall of the aorta.

Abstract: The various embodiments disclosed herein relate to combination heart assist systems, methods, and devices that include both an electrical therapy device and a mechanical heart assist device. Various operational modes can be implemented using these embodiments, including a synchronized pacing mode, an internal CPR mode, and an internal workout mode.

Abstract: An actuator (10) for a heart assist device. The actuator (10) includes an inflatable balloon (12) and a shroud or wrap (14). The inflatable balloon (12) has a first body portion (22), a second body portion (26) and a flexure region joining (24) the first (22) and second (26) body portions. The shroud or wrap (14) is positioned adjacent the first body portion (24) and has a peripheral extent at least equal to the peripheral extent of the balloon flexure region (24). The balloon (12) and the shroud or wrap (14) are shaped such that the shroud or wrap (14) restrains a part of the balloon first body portion (22) at or near the flexure region (24) against displacement towards the shroud or wrap (outward displacement) past a predetermined limit but allows unrestrained displacement away from the shroud or wrap (inward displacement).

Abstract: The various embodiments disclosed herein relate to percutaneous interface lines and related methods for implanting such lines. Each percutaneous interface line has an internal component coupleable to a percutaneous component with an internal connector. The percutaneous component can have a Y-shaped end having two arms, one arm having a lumen and another arm having at least one wire. The methods for implanting a percutaneous interface line include the use of a tunneling tool having a flexible rod and a replaceable dilator tip.

Abstract: The various embodiments herein relate to systems and methods for controlling the operation of a pulsatile heart assist device in a patient. The systems and methods include utilizing sounds and electrical signals produced by the heart to control the operation of the heart assist device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in assisting a human heart are disclosed. The apparatus comprises an aortic compression means which may be fully implanatable, a fluid reservoir and a pump means adapted to pump a fluid from the reservoir to the aortic compression means so as to actuate the aortic compression means at least partly in counterpulsation with the patient's heart. In addition, the device is adapted to be wholly positioned within the right chest cavity of the patient. The aortic compression means of the device may be curved along its length so as to substantially replicate the curve of the ascending aorta.

Abstract: The various embodiments disclosed herein relate to transcutaneous energy transfer systems comprising an internal coil positioned within a cavity of a patient and an external coil inductively coupled to the internal coil. The systems can be coupled to any implantable medical devices, such as, for example, a heart assist device.

Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of a pulsatile heart assist device (14) in a patient (10). The method consisting of utilizing sounds produced by the heart (12) to control the operation of the heart assist device (14).

Abstract: A wrap (20) for securing about a blood vessel (36) by encasing a section of the vessel. The wrap (20) being of thin flexible construction having two ends (22, 24) and two sides (26, 28). The wrap (20) is more elastic or stretchable at, near, or along at least some of its sides (22, 24) compared to at, near, or along its centre, to provide strain relief from wrapped to unwrapped aorta. The wrap (20) is not inelastic, so that loss of aortic compliance is minimised or enhanced. The wrap (20) is adapted to apply, in use, less compressive force at, near, or along at least some of its sides (22, 24) compared to at, near, or along its centre.

Abstract: A percutaneous gas-line (10) for a medical device (14). The gas-line including a first gas-line part (10a) and a second gas-line part (10b). The first gas-line part (10a) is adapted to be wholly implanted in a patient and has a first end (10a?) adapted for sealing connection to the medical device (14) and a second end (10a?) with a connection fitting (20). The second gas-line part (10b) is adapted to be part-implanted and part-external and has a first (external) end (10b?) adapted for sealing connection to an external driver (12) and a second (implanted) end (10b?) adapted for removable sealing connection with the connection fitting (20) on the second end (10a?) of the first gas-line part (10a).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in assisting a human heart are disclosed. The apparatus comprises an aortic compression means which may be fully implanatable, a fluid reservoir and a pump means adapted to pump a fluid from the reservoir to the aortic compression means so as to actuate the aortic compression means at least partly in counterpulsation with the patient's heart. In addition, the device is adapted to be wholly positioned within the right chest cavity of the patient. The aortic compression means of the device may be curved along its length so as to substantially replicate the curve of the ascending aorta.

Abstract: A fluid pressure generating means (10) for a heart assist device having blood pumping means. The pressure generating means (10) includes a housing (11), defining an interior volume (18), and having a substantially rigid first housing portion (12), a substantially rigid second housing portion (14), a flexible third housing portion (16) extending between the first (12) and second (14) housing portions and an inlet/outlet port (15) adapted for fluid communication with the blood pumping means. The pressure generating means (10) also includes a fluid filling the housing and a motor (20) disposed within the housing (11) and connected between the first (12) and second (14) housing portions. Actuation of the motor (20) moves the first (12) and second (14) housing portions relative to one another to generate fluid pressure changes at the inlet/outlet port (15). A related heart assist device and method for the treatment of congestive heart failure, myocardial ischemia and like conditions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A percutaneous gas-line (10) for a medical device (14). The gas-line including a first gas-line part (10a) and a second gas-line part (10b). The first gas-line part (10a) is adapted to be wholly implanted in a patient and has a first end (10a?) adapted for sealing connection to the medical device (14) and a second end (10a?) with a connection fitting (20). The second gas-line part (10b) is adapted to be part-implanted and part-external and has a first (external) end (10b?) adapted for sealing connection to an external driver (12) and a second (implanted) end (10b?) adapted for removable sealing connection with the connection fitting (20) on the second end (10a?) of the first gas-line part (10a).