Abstract: A right ventricular assist device for assisting the circulation of the blood includes a smooth segmented polyurethane sac having a single valveless passageway to provide a single inlet and outlet. A rigid ellipsoidal shell surrounds the sac and has a first opening for the single valveless passageway and a second opening for pressurizing an interior portion of the shell. A flexible diaphragm extends across the interior of the shell and divides the interior into two unequal volumes; the sac and first opening in a first and larger volume, and a second opening and a pressurizing chamber in a second and smaller volume. The diaphragm is angled and dimensioned to expel up to 90% of the blood present in the sac by pressure supplied through the second opening. A vascular graft is attached between the valveless passageway and a pulmonary artery. Alternately, the sac may be formed with an elongate neck which is reinforced with a dacron graft anastomosed to the pulmonary artery.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve constructed of hemo-compatible materials that is anatomically and functionally similar to the natural aortic valve is disclosed which reduces or eliminates the occurrence of many of the complications found in the use of prior art prosthetic valves. The heart valve is a trileaflet type which has its formed leaflets heat set in a partially open position to reduce pressure required to open the leaflets in response to blood flowing therethrough.