Abstract: A ventricular assist device including a frame having a proximal end and an outer surface, and an anchor having a base and a brace coupled to the base. The base is attached to the proximal end of the frame. The device also includes a stator assembly coupled to the frame, a rotor assembly disposed between the stator assembly and the frame, and a power source operatively coupled to the stator assembly. The anchor is moveable between a collapsed configuration in which an inner surface of the brace contacts the outer surface of the frame, and an expanded configuration, in which the inner surface of the brace is offset from the outer surface of the frame and an outer surface of the brace engages a portion of the blood vessel to secure the frame within the blood vessel.

Abstract: An implantable extravascular pressure sensing system includes a cuff including a first brace portion affixed to a second brace portion and defining a longitudinal axis therebetween. The first brace portion defines a fluid chamber, the fluid chamber defining a recessed aperture. A first lateral restraint and a second lateral restraint are disposed between the first brace and the second brace, the first lateral restraint and the second lateral restraint being configured to be displaceable in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. A diaphragm is coupled to the fluid chamber and sealing the recessed aperture. A fluid is disposed within the fluid chamber for exhibiting a hydraulic pressure in communication with the diaphragm. A pressure sensor is coupled to the first brace portion, the pressure sensor being configured to measure a change in the hydraulic pressure when a force is imparted on the diaphragm.

Abstract: An implantable extravascular pressure sensing system including a cuff having a first brace portion, a second brace portion, and a plurality of biasing members movably coupling the first brace portion and the second brace portion to each other, the first brace portion defining a fluid chamber, the fluid chamber defining a recessed aperture, a flexible diaphragm coupled to the fluid chamber and sealing the recessed aperture, a fluid disposed within the fluid chamber for exhibiting a hydraulic pressure in communication with the flexible diaphragm, and a pressure sensor coupled to the first brace portion, the pressure sensor being configured to measure a change in the hydraulic pressure when a force is imparted on the flexible diaphragm.

Abstract: A method of associating a sensor with a blood vessel includes providing a sensor defining a passage therethrough and at least partially encircling the outside wall of the blood vessel with at least a portion of the sensor. The method further includes compressing the passage through the sensor until a portion of the blood vessel is flattened and mechanically coupling a pressure/force transducer to the outside wall of the blood vessel in an area of vessel wall flattening.

Abstract: A sensor module retaining device having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion defines an open loop that is sized and configured to contour around an outer surface of a blood vessel. The second portion is opposite the third portion and the second and third portions each extend distally away from the open loop and define an open channel therebetween. The second and third portions are contiguous with and converge inwards towards the first portion.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive device including a body having a proximal portion and a distal portion opposite the proximal portion, the distal portion being made of a shape memory alloy, a flexible diaphragm at least partially surrounding the body and defining a fluid chamber between the flexible diaphragm and the distal portion of the body, and a non-compressible fluid disposed within the flexible diaphragm and exhibiting a hydraulic pressure in communication with the flexible diaphragm.

Abstract: An implantable extravascular pressure sensing system includes a cuff including a first brace portion affixed to a second brace portion and defining a longitudinal axis therebetween. The first brace portion defines a fluid chamber, the fluid chamber defining a recessed aperture. A first lateral restraint and a second lateral restraint are disposed between the first brace and the second brace, the first lateral restraint and the second lateral restraint being configured to be displaceable in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. A diaphragm is coupled to the fluid chamber and sealing the recessed aperture. A fluid is disposed within the fluid chamber for exhibiting a hydraulic pressure in communication with the diaphragm. A pressure sensor is coupled to the first brace portion, the pressure sensor being configured to measure a change in the hydraulic pressure when a force is imparted on the diaphragm.

Abstract: A transvascular pressure sensing device including a housing having a proximal portion and a distal portion opposite the distal portion, the proximal portion including a blood pressure sensor disposed therein, a compliant balloon surrounding at least a portion of the housing and defining a fluid chamber therebetween, the fluid chamber including a first portion defining a first volume and a second portion defining a second volume greater than the first volume, and a fluid disposed within the fluid chamber and exerting a hydraulic pressure on the balloon, the blood pressure sensor being configured to measure a change in the hydraulic pressure when a force is distributed over the second portion of the balloon.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive device including a body having a proximal portion and a distal portion opposite the proximal portion, the distal portion being made of a shape memory alloy, a flexible diaphragm at least partially surrounding the body and defining a fluid chamber between the flexible diaphragm and the distal portion of the body, and a non-compressible fluid disposed within the flexible diaphragm and exhibiting a hydraulic pressure in communication with the flexible diaphragm.

Abstract: An implantable extravascular pressure sensing system including a cuff having a first brace portion, a second brace portion, and a plurality of biasing members movably coupling the first brace portion and the second brace portion to each other, the first brace portion defining a fluid chamber, the fluid chamber defining a recessed aperture, a flexible diaphragm coupled to the fluid chamber and sealing the recessed aperture, a fluid disposed within the fluid chamber for exhibiting a hydraulic pressure in communication with the flexible diaphragm, and a pressure sensor coupled to the first brace portion, the pressure sensor being configured to measure a change in the hydraulic pressure when a force is imparted on the flexible diaphragm.

Abstract: A rotordynamic pump for delivering continuous flow of fluids, such as blood, is provided. In one embodiment, the pump includes a stator housing having an inlet and an outlet. A rotor hub is disposed within the stator housing having a first, mixed-stage impeller and a second, axial-flow stage impellers. One or more stator vanes and extend radially inwardly from the stator housing. In one particular embodiment, the second stage impeller is disposed nearer to the outlet than to the inlet. The stator vanes may include a first set of stator vanes disposed between the first and second stage impellers, and a second set of stator vanes positioned between the second stage impellers and the outlet.

Abstract: A rotordynamic pump for delivering continuous flow of fluids, such as blood, is provided. In one embodiment, the pump includes a stator housing having an inlet and an outlet. A rotor hub is disposed within the stator housing having a first, mixed-stage impeller and a second, axial-flow stage impellers. One or more stator vanes and extend radially inwardly from the stator housing. In one particular embodiment, the second stage impeller is disposed nearer to the outlet than to the inlet. The stator vanes may include a first set of stator vanes disposed between the first and second stage impellers, and a second set of stator vanes positioned between the second stage impellers and the outlet.

Abstract: A rotordynamic pump for delivering continuous flow of fluids, such as blood, is provided. In one embodiment, the pump includes a stator housing having an inlet and an outlet. A rotor hub is disposed within the stator housing having a first, mixed-stage impeller and a second, axial-flow stage impellers. One or more stator vanes and extend radially inwardly from the stator housing. In one particular embodiment, the second stage impeller is disposed nearer to the outlet than to the inlet. The stator vanes may include a first set of stator vanes disposed between the first and second stage impellers, and a second set of stator vanes positioned between the second stage impellers and the outlet.

Abstract: Devices and methods for gastrointestinal bypass are described. A gastrointestinal bypass device includes a gastrointestinal cuff and a gastrointestinal sleeve. The cuff may be configured to be attached in the esophagus, and may be sufficiently flexible to expand and collapse to conform with the inside of the esophagus to allow the esophagus to function substantially normally. The sleeve is configured to be coupled to the cuff, and may be made of a material that is floppy or flaccid but does not substantially expand radially.

Abstract: Devices and methods for gastrointestinal bypass are described. A gastrointestinal bypass device includes a gastrointestinal cuff and a gastrointestinal sleeve. The cuff may be configured to be attached in the esophagus, and may be sufficiently flexible to expand and collapse to conform with the inside of the esophagus to allow the esophagus to function substantially normally. The sleeve is configured to be coupled to the cuff, and may be made of a material that is floppy or flaccid but does not substantially expand radially.

Abstract: One or more tissue anchors may be delivered first without being coupled to an anchored device. An anchored device may be delivered second, and then coupled to the tissue anchors. This may enhance placement accuracy of tissue anchors, as well as facilitate delivery of tissue anchors. The tissue anchors include anchor couplings configured to be coupled to one or more device couplings of the anchored device.

Abstract: Devices and methods for gastrointestinal bypass are described. A gastrointestinal bypass device includes a gastrointestinal cuff and a gastrointestinal sleeve. The cuff may be configured to be attached in the esophagus, and may be sufficiently flexible to expand and collapse to conform with the inside of the esophagus to allow the esophagus to function substantially normally. The sleeve is configured to be coupled to the cuff, and may be made of a material that is floppy or flaccid but does not substantially expand radially.

Abstract: Devices and methods for gastrointestinal bypass are described. A gastrointestinal bypass device includes a gastrointestinal cuff and a gastrointestinal sleeve. The cuff may be configured to be attached in the esophagus, and may be sufficiently flexible to expand and collapse to conform with the inside of the esophagus to allow the esophagus to function substantially normally. The sleeve is configured to be coupled to the cuff, and may be made of a material that is floppy or flaccid but does not substantially expand radially.

Abstract: A rotordynamic pump for delivering continuous flow of fluids, such as blood, is provided. In one embodiment, the pump includes a stator housing having an inlet and an outlet. A rotor hub is disposed within the stator housing having a first, mixed-stage impeller and a second, axial-flow stage impellers. One or more stator vanes and extend radially inwardly from the stator housing. In one particular embodiment, the second stage impeller is disposed nearer to the outlet than to the inlet. The stator vanes may include a first set of stator vanes disposed between the first and second stage impellers, and a second set of stator vanes positioned between the second stage impellers and the outlet.