Abstract: A medical device for assisting the break-up, disruption or disintegration of calcified or other hardened material within vessels of the human or animal body which material otherwise prevents or inhibits stenting procedures or passage of guidewires, catheters and other devices through the vessels. The device includes a catheter having a lumen extending between a distal end and a proximal end of the catheter and a displaceable element at the distal end of the catheter configured for axial and/or radial displacement relative to the catheter when driven by pressure fluctuations within the lumen. A pressure pump is coupled to a proximal end of the catheter and is configured for application of a baseline pressure to the catheter lumen. A pressure modulation source is also coupled to the proximal end of the catheter, configured to modulate the baseline pressure in the catheter lumen with one or more pressure impulses, and preferably with a series of pressure pulses.

Abstract: A medical device (1) for assisting the break-up, disruption or disintegration of calcified or other hardened material within vessels of the human or animal body which material otherwise prevents or inhibits stenting procedures or passage of guidewires, catheters and other devices through the vessels. The device comprises a catheter (2) having a lumen (9) extending between a distal end (5) and a proximal end (6) of the catheter and a displaceable element (4) at the distal end of the catheter configured for axial and/or radial displacement relative to the catheter when driven by pressure fluctuations within the lumen. A pressure pump (11) is coupled to a proximal end of the catheter and is configured for application of a baseline pressure to the catheter lumen. A pressure modulation source (12) is also coupled to the proximal end of the catheter, configured to modulate the baseline pressure in the catheter lumen with one or more pressure impulses, and preferably with a series of pressure pulses.

Abstract: A device for providing assistance to ventricular systole, the device comprising a pressuriser and a driver, wherein the pressuriser is adapted to be able to apply localised pressure to only the external wall of one ventricle, or a portion thereof, and the driver is operatively linked to the pressuriser so as to be able to drive a cycle of increased and decreased pressure applied by the pressuriser. The invention also relates to a method of implanting the device and a method of treating cardiac pump failure in which the device is used.

Abstract: A device for providing assistance to ventricular systole, the device comprising a pressuriser and a driver, wherein the pressuriser is adapted to be able to apply localised pressure to only the external wall of one ventricle, or a portion thereof, and the driver is operatively linked to the pressuriser so as to be able to drive a cycle of increased and decreased pressure applied by the pressuriser. The invention also relates to a method of implanting the device and a method of treating cardiac pump failure in which the device is used.