Abstract: A high pressure inflation system for driving an inflatable heart assistance device. The system includes a fluid source for supplying a fluid at a relatively high pressure and a compression tank plumbed in selective communication with the pneumatic source. The compression tank is operative to store a predetermined volume of the pressurized fluid at approximately the high pressure created by the fluid source. A transfer valve is disposed downstream of the compression tank and is coupled to the heart assistance device. The compression tank and transfer valve are maintained in close proximal relation to the heart assistance device with the transfer valve being responsive to predetermined signals to expose the heart assistance device to the compression tank pressure and expand the device to compress and assist the heart.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assisting a heart to pump blood includes a housing that defines an internal chamber for receiving a heart. The housing has a first opening to supply fluid to the internal chamber of the housing. Uniform pressure is applied to at least a majority portion of an exterior ventricular surface of a heart that is placed within the internal chamber so that the heart is substantially uniformly deformed to simulate a systolic phase.

Abstract: An inflation system for independently controlling the rise time and plateau level of a pressure profile applied to an inflatable chamber includes a pneumatic source disposed in fluid communication with a pressure path including a regulation device for establishing respective high and low pressure levels. A supply mechanism is disposed at the output of the pressure path and is operative to alternately expose the inflatable liner to the high and low pressure levels to define an independently controllable rise time.