Abstract: A pneumatic ventricular assist device (VAD) is disclosed for use in any circulatory support application including RVAD, LAVD, or BIVAD, trans-operative, short-term or long-term, tethered implantable or extracorporeal. In the preferred embodiment, the VAD consists of a soft contoured pump shell and a disposable pumping unit, which includes: a pump sac; an inlet and an outlet (a.k.a. discharge) with one-way valves; and tubing connectors. The valves comprise a cantilevered pair of closely adjacent thin ledges, nicknamed “valve leaflets,” that resemble needle-nose pliers. The valve leaflets permit a one-way flow of blood between them, as an opposite flow pinches the distal ends of leaflets together, thereby closing off the channel between them. This design is specially designed to allow continuous and fluid movement of blood (in one direction) while limiting blood-contacting surfaces.

Abstract: A low flow atrial-arterial shunt for pump-assisted myocardial revascularization without cardiopulmonary bypass comprises a short section of cardiopulmonary bypass tubing securely terminated at either end with a vented cannula adapter. The shunt is used in conjunction with venous and aortic cannulae and one of the conventional peristaltic pumps found in a medical facility's existing cardiopulmonary bypass machine. In use, e.g., for a left ventricular assist, the venous cannula is surgically attached to the left atrium, and the aortic cannula is attached to the aorta. Subsequently, the shunt is attached to the two cannulae and is primed to remove air. Next, the tubing is placed in the peristaltic pump, and the pump is activated, causing blood to flow from the left atrium, through the shunt—where it is propelled along by the pump—and into the aorta.

Abstract: A pneumatic ventricular assist device is designed for use in any circulatory support application including RVAD, LAVD, or BIVAD, trans-operative, short-term or long-term, tethered implantable or extracorporeal. It consists of a soft contoured pumping shell and a disposable pumping unit, which includes a pump sac, two one-way valves, and tubing connectors. The pumping unit is specially designed to allow continuous and fluid movement of blood and to limit blood-contacting surfaces, and is made of a supple and elastic material such as silicone. The components can be inexpensively and reliably manufactured by injection molding. Also, the pumping shell and pumping unit include complementary features that quickly and securely hold the pumping unit, and any attached cannulae, in place.