Abstract: A cardiac support system includes a ventricular assist device adapted to be extended over a portion of a patient's heart to assist the ventricles of the heart to properly contract. One or more stimulating electrodes are mounted on the ventricular assist device in selected locations such that when the ventricular assist device is extended over the heart, the stimulation electrodes are in close proximity to the surface of the heart. The system further includes one or more external pick-up electrodes that receive externally applied energy and conduct that energy to the one or more stimulating electrodes via conductive leads. The external pick-up electrodes may be mounted on the outer surface of the ventricular assist device, or can be located at some other location inside the patient's body. The externally-applied energy will typically be supplied by standard defibrillation paddles located outside of the patient's body.

Abstract: A cardiac assist system includes a sensor that is operative to sense the electrical activity of a patient's heart. The sensed electrical activity is processed to determine the onset of ventricular contraction. A compressive force from a ventricular assist device is applied to the ventricles during at least a portion of the heart's ventricular contraction. The cardiac assist system also includes an electrical stimulating system. Thus, in the event the heart begins to fibrillate, the electrical stimulating system is actuated to apply stimulating pulses to the heart.

Abstract: A ventricular cuff is designed to assist a heart to pump blood by applying uniform pressure to a majority portion of an exterior ventricular surface of the heart. A heart engaging structure is preferably provided for releasably engaging the heart to hold the heart in place relative to the cuff. The ventricular cuff includes an outer shell, an inflatable inner bladder and a fastener assembly. The heart engaging structure and ventricular cuff define an upwardly opening chamber sized for receiving a heart. The bladder has an opening for communication with a source of fluid under pressure so that the bladder is cyclically inflated and deflated at a predetermined rate to assist the ventricles of the heart to properly contract.

Abstract: A balloon element for use in a catheter has a multi-layered single-walled structure and a compliance characteristic exhibiting a first, non-compliant region at low operating pressures and a secondary compliant region at higher operating pressures. The properties of the balloon element permit it to serve for both dilatation of bodily vessels and stent delivery and implantation. A method of manufacturing the balloon element involves extrusion of a tube of material, such as PEEK, which serves as an inner wall layer of the finished balloon element and provides the desired strength and compliance characteristics of the balloon element, and a post-extrusion over the first tube, which provides an outer wall layer in the finished balloon element imparting abrasion resistance and other desirable mechanical properties.

Abstract: A stent delivery system including a stent delivery catheter, a stent dilatation balloon sealingly affixed to the catheter and adapted for inflation by a pressurized fluid introduced into the catheter, and an expandable stent surrounding the balloon and adapted for implantation into a bodily vessel upon inflation of the balloon. The system also includes structure integral with the balloon and possibly the catheter for resisting movement of the stent relative to the balloon throughout all phases of a stent delivery and implantation operation prior to deflation and withdrawal of the balloon from the stent following implantation of the stent.

Abstract: A balloon dilatation catheter for the dilatation of a prostatic urethra having a reinforcing element extending through the elongated shaft of the catheter to prevent significant elongation or failure of the catheter and a traction member for assisting in the resistance to substantial tensile stresses. The balloon dilatation catheter also includes an expandable means between the balloon and catheter shaft to extend the length of the balloon when it is deflated. The extension of the deflated balloon prevents the balloon from bunching up and interfering with the withdrawal of the balloon through the working channel of the cystoscopic sheath upon the completion of the dilatation. The catheter has a marker for easy visualization so that the balloon can be positioned reliably and a tip construction so that the catheter can be advanced into the bladder safely.

Abstract: An elongated catheter assembly for the intravascular delivery of therapeutic fluids which has an infusion section on the distal end for the discharge of fluids to the exterior of the catheter and an elongated sheath which moves longitudinally to vary the length of the infusion section through which treatment fluid can pass. The sheath preferably is elongated so that the position thereof can be adjusted from the proximal end of the catheter assembly. In this manner, the effective length of the infusion section can be adjusted to the length of the treatment site, such as a thrombus.