Abstract: A ventricular assist device for a heart includes a compression band-stay-pad assembly for encircling substantially the heart perimeter and comprising an elongated band member or chain disposed in a sealed protective structure filled with a lubricating medium. The band member may be fixed at one end and wound upon, or unwound from, a rotatable spool by a drive motor through a speed reducer. Force-transmitting support or stay assemblies are disposed in the protective structure between the band member and a resilient pad assembly for encircling the heart and promoting heart tissue ingrowth therein. The force-transmitting stay assemblies are biased circumferentially, and thus radially outward, by compression return springs disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A ventricular assist device for a heart includes a compression band-stay-pad assembly for encircling substantially the entire heart perimeter and comprising an elongated band member or chain disposed in a sealed protective structure filled with a lubricating medium. The band member may be fixed at one end and wound upon, or unwound from, a rotatable spool by a drive motor through a speed reducer. Force-transmitting support or stay assemblies are disposed in the protective structure between the band member and a resilient pad assembly for encircling the heart and promoting heart tissue ingrowth therein. The force-transmitting stay assemblies are biased circumferentially, and thus radially outward, by compression return springs disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A ventricular assist device may include a cardiac compression assembly which comprises a gel-filled pad of generally concave configuration, mounted on a pressure plate with peripheral portions of the pad extending beyond the periphery of the plate, to preclude damage to the heart by the peripheral edges of the plate. The gel-filled pad may have undulating opposite sides formed by intersecting rows of raised dimples. The pad also includes portions for suturing the pad to a heart ventricle, and at least some of the dimples on the side of the pad facing the heart ventricle are provided with ventricle tissue growth-promoting islands. An electrode, in the form of a grid having intersecting strips which define dimple-receiving openings therebetween, also may be mounted on the venticle side of the pad. As many as eight circumferentially arranged cardiac compression assemblies, having lower ends pivotally mounted on a support member adapted to be located adjacent the apex of a heart ventricle, may be provided.

Abstract: A multiple electrode unitary intravascular cardiac catheter comprising a distal electrode for sensing and pacing, an intermediate electrode for sensing, pacing and cardioverting, and a proximal electrode for sensing and cardioverting. The catheter may also be employed in combination with an external patch electrode.

Abstract: A method of making a pacemaker which includes, in a container a subassembly of, a battery nested in an electrical converter serving to produce heart-pacing pulses. This subassembly is encapsulated in a mold in rigid, polyurethane foam of low weight and capable of protecting the encapsulated components from shock. The body formed by prepotting is generally ellipsoidal and is nested snugly in one of the sections of an ellipsoidal container. Another section of the container is welded to the one section along the congruent rims. Additional potting material is injected through the boards between the sides of the encapsulated body and the adjacent walls of the container. The encapsulated body is held firmly in the container without potting material between the top and bottom and ends of the body and the container. The potting material is injected through the hole in which the electrical feedthrough is subsequently welded.