Abstract: A catheter directionally conducts a pulsating body fluid and has a line segment defining an inner volume. A pump chamber section is arranged proximally as an extension of the line segment and defines a pump chamber having a frame therein accommodating a balloon. A first opening connects the inner volume to an external volume and a second opening is arranged proximally from the first opening to connect the inner volume to the external volume. A check valve is assigned to the second opening and the check valve includes a valve foil having an aperture formed therein offset from the second opening. A third opening communicates with the pump chamber. The frame is of a shape memory material which provides rigidity for a pulsatile operation of the balloon. During operation, the pulsating body fluid is conveyed in the inner volume directionally between the first and second opening by operating the balloon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catheter for the directional conductance of a body fluid, particularly blood. The catheter includes a line segment which has a film tube defining an inner volume. A first port connects the inner volume to an external volume and a second port, arranged distally from the first port, connects the inner volume with the external volume. During operation of the catheter, the body fluid is conducted in the inner volume directionally between the first and second ports. The line segment includes a reinforcement running in the interior of the film tube. The film tube has a foldable section, a connecting region whereat the film tube is connected to the reinforcement, and a stabilized section having a structured profile.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for circulating a body fluid in a body of a living organism, especially to support the heart and/or circulation of the living organism, comprising a catheter device which has at least one inlet portion to take up the body fluid at at least one first location within the body of the living organism, at least one outlet portion some distance from the at least one inlet portion to discharge the body fluid at at least one second location some distance from the at least one first location within the body of the living organism and a pump device for directed transport of the body fluid between the at least one inlet portion and the at least one outlet portion of the catheter device; and a valve arrangement coupled to the catheter device for controlled uptake of the body fluid as a function of operation of the pump device at the at least one inlet portion of the catheter device and controlled discharge of the body fluid at the at least one outlet portion of the catheter devic