Abstract: An implantable direct cardiac compression (DCC) device (101) has a body (102) comprising a flexible frontal cardiac compression wall (103) and a rear wall (104) together defining a pressurisable chamber (106). The cardiac compression wall (103) is adapted to be affixed to the wall of a ventricle (21) of a heart (20) and to compress the ventricle (21) upon pressurisation of the chamber (106). The device (101) is provided with two flexible flaps, one extending from each of two of opposing lateral sides of the body (102), adapted to be affixed to the ventricle wall (23). An implantable DCC system comprises left and right DCC devices (101, 201) for affixing to the left and right ventricles (21, 22). Straps (216) are provided on the right DCC device (206) for wrapping around the heart (2) and left DCC device (101) to secure the DCC devices (101, 201) to the left and right ventricles (21, 22) respectively.

Abstract: A heart actuator device for use in heart assist apparatus, which device includes a paddle-like main body. The main body has a heart compressing wall, which in use is adapted to be affixed to at least a region of heart, and a distal wall, which in use is adapted to be distal that region of the heart. The heart compressing wall is movable in a direction relatively away from the distal wall, so as, in use to compress at least that region of the heart thereby assisting movement of the heart wall.