Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, kits, and cardiac compression devices that have both passive chambers and active chambers to improve heart function.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, kits, and cardiac compression devices that have both passive chambers and active chambers to improve heart function.

Abstract: The present invention provides a direct cardiac compression device for individualized support at different locations around the heart, the device comprising: a housing shaped to conform to the shape of the heart and to surround the heart; two or more active chambers positioned adjacent to the housing, wherein the two or more active comprise one or more right active chambers positioned on the right ventricle side of the heart and one or more left active chambers positioned on the left ventricle side of the heart, wherein the two or more active chambers are designed to conform to the shape of the heart, each active chamber comprising an inner membrane sealingly attached along its periphery to the housing and an active fluid individually supplied thereto; a right input connection in fluid communication with the one or more right active chambers to ingress the active fluid into each of the one or more right active chambers; a left input connection in fluid communication with the one or more left active chambers t

Abstract: The present invention provides an implantable cardiac compression device comprising: an inflatable cardiac compression jacket configured when inflated to directly compress a heart and assist in displacing blood therefrom, a channel that connects the inflatable cardiac compression jacket and an expandable fluid reservoir configured to contain a fluid when displaced compresses the inflatable cardiac compression jacket, and a fluid driver operably connected to the inflatable cardiac compression jacket and to the expandable fluid reservoir, wherein the fluid driver is configured to inflate the cardiac compression jacket and to deflate the expandable fluid reservoir during systole of the heart; said driver is further configured to deflate the cardiac compression jacket and to inflate the expandable fluid reservoir during diastole of the heart.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and direct cardiac contact diastolic recoil device to improve diastolic recoil of a heart and includes a biocompatible film attached to or enclosing one or more structural elements that store elastic energy during heart contraction and release energy during heart filling.

Abstract: The present invention provides a combined direct cardiac compression and aortic counterpulsation device comprising: an inflatable direct cardiac compression jacket configured when inflated to directly compress a heart and assist in displacing blood therefrom, an aortic counterpulsation chamber configured when inflated to displace aortic volume for the purposes of causing a counterpulsation effect, and a driver operably connected to said inflatable direct cardiac compression jacket and to said aortic counterpulsation chamber, said driver is configured to inflate said direct cardiac compression jacket and to deflate said aortic counterpulsation chamber during systole of the heart; said driver is further configured to deflate said direct cardiac compression jacket and to inflate said aortic counterpulsation chamber during diastole of the heart.

Abstract: The present invention includes a device and method for a self-expanding framework device adapted to facilitate the deployment of an extra-cardiac device. The device includes a deployment tube and a self-expanding wire framework having a structure that results in the self-expanding wire framework circumferential flaring motion and bending outwardly to advance around the heart.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and direct cardiac contact device to improve the diastole phase and the systolic phase of a heart and includes a biocompatible film pneumatic locked to the heart to aid in heart compression and relaxation.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, kits, and devices that aid in the positioning of a direct cardiac compression device about the heart.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biphasic and dynamic direct cardiac contact device adapted to be implanted in a patient suffering from congestive heart failure and related cardiac pathologies, said cardiac device having means for providing ventricular assist, ventricular support and diastolic recoil, or for providing ventricular support and diastolic recoil only.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biphasic and dynamic direct cardiac contact device adapted to be implanted in a patient suffering from congestive heart failure and related cardiac pathologies, said cardiac device having means for providing ventricular assist, ventricular support and diastolic recoil, or for providing ventricular support and diastolic recoil only.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, kits, and devices that aid in the positioning of a direct cardiac compression device about the heart.

Abstract: The present invention an implantable, sub-cutaneous, bellows-like device with one plate proximal (or superficial) to the skin surface and the other plate distal (or deep) to the skin surface having a component of a pneumatic/hydrulic driver for an implantable medical device such as a cardiac assist, cardiac support, or combined cardiac assist and support device and inducible magnet material on the distal plate of the bellows that can be magnetically drawn towards the proximal plate by the action of a magnet outside the body to contract the bellows or pressurize the fluid in the bellows.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems and devices that reduce dyskinesis and hypokinesis. The contoured heart assist device of the present invention includes a selectively inflatable end-systolic heart shaped bladder with one or more contoured supports configured to surround at least a portion of the heart and provide curvatures similar to the proper shape of the heart when the device is pressurized and one or more fluid connections in communication with the selectively inflatable end-systolic heart shaped bladder for pressurization and depressurization.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, kits and devices that reduce dyskinesis and hypokinesis. For example, the direct compression cardiac device may be positioned about at least a portion of a heart, and includes a resilient inner panel in contact with at least a portion of the heart periphery, one or more resilient members positioned about the resilient inner panel and at least partially surrounded by an expandable outer panel. The resistance supplied by the inner panel to the heart may be modulated to control the end-diastolic heart volume and remodel the heart, the resistance supplied by the expandable outer panel to the heart may be modulated to control the end-systolic heart volume and remodel the heart or both.

Abstract: A direct cardiac assist device which may aid in ventricular recovery. The device proactively modulates cardiac strain pattern to produce a contraction strain pattern that induces beneficial growth and remodeling of the myocardium or prevents or reduces apoptosis of the myocytes. The device may include an outer shell. membrane, or mesh and an inner membrane. The space between the outer member and the membrane may be filled with fluid that is pressurized during contraction. The device prescribes a beneficial strain pattern during heart contraction. This strain pattern does not invert the curvatures or grossly alter the curvatures of the heart and may assist in myocyte regrowth and healing of the failing heart.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, kits and devices that reduce dyskinesis and hypokinesis. For example, the direct compression cardiac device may be positioned about at least a portion of a heart, and includes a resilient inner panel in contact with at least a portion of the heart periphery, one or more resilient members positioned about the resilient inner panel and at least partially surrounded by an expandable outer panel. The resistance supplied by the inner panel to the heart may be modulated to control the end-diastolic heart volume and remodel the heart, the resistance supplied by the expandable outer panel to the heart may be modulated to control the end-systolic heart volume and remodel the heart or both.