Abstract: A method of abdominally stabilizing a patent selected for CardioPulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and whose chest is in an uncompressed state includes wrapping a substantially inextensible flexible belt around the abdomen substantially without applying pressure to the abdomen, and locking the belt in the wrapped position. Also disclosed is a belt for abdominal stabilization.

Abstract: An implant for treating insufficiency of a heart valve, in particular of the mitral valve, has an elongate body which can be converted from a first, substantially elongated and substantially flexible state to a second state with a reduced bending radius. The implant also has a flexible tensioning element extending along the body for the purpose of converting the body from the first state to the second state. The body is made up of a plurality of elements which are arranged in series to form a chain and which, in the first state, are movable relative to one another. In the second state of the body, the tensioning element tensions the elements with respect to one another so as form an arc, said elements being substantially immovable relative to one another in the second state and forming, on an internal radius face of the arc, a substantially continuous planar support surface.

Abstract: Implantable catheter pumps are disclosed including a drive cable, with one end of the drive cable being connectable to a drive source, a collapsible drive propeller at the other end of the drive cable, with the collapsible drive propeller being adjustable between a closed configuration in which the collapsible drive propeller is collapsed upon the drive cable and an open configuration in which the collapsible drive propeller is expanded so as to be operative as an impeller, and a sleeve extending between one side of the collapsible drive propeller and the other side of the collapsible drive propeller with the sleeve being movable between configurations in which the collapsible drive propeller is in the open and closed configuration.