Abstract: In a method for intermittently occluding the coronary sinus, in which in an alternating manner the coronary sinus is occluded by an occlusion device and the occlusion is released, the curve of the fluid pressure occurring in the coronary sinus after the release of the occlusion is estimated by calculation and the time of the beginning of the next occlusion is determined as a function of the estimated pressure curve.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a system or method for treating heart tissue can include a control system and catheter device operated in a manner to intermittently occlude a heart vessel for controlled periods of time that provide redistribution of blood flow. In particular embodiments, the system and methods may be configured to monitor at least one input signal detected at a coronary sinus and thereby execute a process for determining a satisfactory time period for the occlusion of the coronary sinus. In further embodiments, after the occlusion of the coronary sinus is released, the control system can be configured to select the duration of the release phase before the starting the next occlusion cycle.

Abstract: In a method for intermittently occluding the coronary sinus, in which in an alternating manner the coronary sinus is occluded by an occlusion device and the occlusion is released, the curve of the fluid pressure occurring in the coronary sinus after the release of the occlusion is estimated by calculation and the time of the beginning of the next occlusion is determined as a function of the estimated pressure curve.

Abstract: In a method for the intermittent occlusion of a vein draining the organ system, in which the vein is occluded by an occlusion device, the fluid pressure in the occluded vein is continuously measured and stored, the behavior of the fluid pressure is determined as a function of time, and the occlusion of the vein is triggered and/or released as a function of at least one characteristic value derived from the pressure measurements, pressure is applied during the occlusion in a pulsating manner. The device for the intermittent occlusion of a vein, including an occlusion device, a pressure measuring device for continuously measuring the fluid pressure in the occluded vein, and a memory for storing the fluid pressure behavior as a function of time, and a pulsating device are provided for applying a pulsating pressure in the occluded vein.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a system or method for treating heart tissue can include a catheter device that provides a user with the ability to perform a number of heart treatment tasks (before, during, and after a cardiac surgery or a percutaneous coronary intervention). In particular embodiments, the catheter device can be used to (i) precondition heart muscle tissue before the heart is isolated from the circulatory system, (ii) deliver cardioplegia into the coronary sinus during the cardiac surgery when the heart is isolated from the circulatory system, and (iii) control the blood flow through the heart after the heart is reconnected with the circulatory system. In some embodiments, the catheter device can perform some or all of: (i) intermittently occluding the coronary sinus, (ii) delivering a treatment fluid into the coronary sinus, and (iii) monitoring a flow rate of blood passing from the coronary sinus to the right atrium.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a system or method for treating heart tissue can include a catheter device that provides a user with the ability to perform a number of heart treatment tasks (before, during, and after a cardiac surgery or a percutaneous coronary intervention). In particular embodiments, the catheter device can be used to (i) precondition heart muscle tissue before the heart is isolated from the circulatory system, (ii) deliver cardioplegia into the coronary sinus during the cardiac surgery when the heart is isolated from the circulatory system, and (iii) control the blood flow through the heart after the heart is reconnected with the circulatory system. In some embodiments, the catheter device can perform some or all of: (i) intermittently occluding the coronary sinus, (ii) delivering a treatment fluid into the coronary sinus, and (iii) monitoring a flow rate of blood passing from the coronary sinus to the right atrium.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a system or method for treating heart tissue can include a catheter device that provides a user with the ability to perform a number of heart treatment tasks (before, during, and after a cardiac surgery or a percutaneous coronary intervention). In particular embodiments, the catheter device can be used to (i) precondition heart muscle tissue before the heart is isolated from the circulatory system, (ii) deliver cardioplegia into the coronary sinus during the cardiac surgery when the heart is isolated from the circulatory system, and (iii) control the blood flow through the heart after the heart is reconnected with the circulatory system. In some embodiments, the catheter device can perform some or all of: (i) intermittently occluding the coronary sinus, (ii) delivering a treatment fluid into the coronary sinus, and (iii) monitoring a flow rate of blood passing from the coronary sinus to the right atrium.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a system or method for treating heart tissue can include a catheter device that provides a user with the ability to perform a number of heart treatment tasks (before, during, and after a cardiac surgery or a percutaneous coronary intervention). In particular embodiments, the catheter device can be used to (i) precondition heart muscle tissue before the heart is isolated from the circulatory system, (ii) deliver cardioplegia into the coronary sinus during the cardiac surgery when the heart is isolated from the circulatory system, and (iii) control the blood flow through the heart after the heart is reconnected with the circulatory system. In some embodiments, the catheter device can perform some or all of: (i) intermittently occluding the coronary sinus, (ii) delivering a treatment fluid into the coronary sinus, and (iii) monitoring a flow rate of blood passing from the coronary sinus to the right atrium.

Abstract: Some systems and methods for treating heart tissue may include instruments for intermittently occluding the coronary sinus using a coronary sinus occlusion catheter device. In some embodiments, the coronary sinus occlusion catheter can be used before or during a coronary intervention procedure in which a blockage in a heart is repaired or removed.

Abstract: In a method for intermittently occluding the coronary sinus, in which the coronary sinus is occluded using an occlusion device, the fluid pressure in the occluded coronary sinus is continuously measured and stored, the fluid pressure curve is determined as a function of time, and the occlusion of the coronary sinus is triggered and/or released as a function of at least one characteristic value derived from the measured pressure values. The pressure increase and/or pressure decrease per time unit each occurring at a heart beat are used as characteristic values.

Abstract: In a catheter (2) to assist the performance of a heart (1) with at least one pump (7), the pump is formed as a rotary pump at the distal end of the catheter (2), the rotor (6) lying distally on the outer side being coupled via a magneto coupling with a drive wheel (21), formed as a hydraulically or pneumatically operated paddle wheel, arranged inside the catheter (2). The driving fluid is supplied to the paddle wheel via a lumen (22) of the catheter (2) and is carried off via a further lumen (23) of the catheter.

Abstract: In a device for the intermittent occlusion of the coronary sinus, including a catheter with several lumens and an occlusion device fixed to the catheter and operable through at least one lumen of the catheter, the operating elements of the catheter cooperate with a first axial portion of the catheter for bending the same in said first portion, and with at least one further axial portion of the catheter for bending the same in said at least one further axial portion, and/or for stiffening said axial portions.

Abstract: In a device for the intermittent occlusion of the coronary sinus, including a catheter with several lumens, an occlusion device fixed to the catheter and operable through at least one lumen of the catheter, and at least one pressure measuring device for measuring the fluid pressure in the coronary sinus, the catheter additionally comprises support means for supporting the catheter on the inner wall of the coronary sinus, which support means are reversibly placeable in abutment on the inner wall of the coronary sinus by an operating element.

Abstract: In a method for intermittently occluding the coronary sinus, in which the coronary sinus is occluded using an occlusion device, the fluid pressure in the occluded coronary sinus is continuously measured and stored, the fluid pressure curve is determined as a function of time, and the occlusion of the coronary sinus is triggered and/or released as a function of at least one characteristic value derived from the measured pressure values. The pressure increase and/or pressure decrease per time unit each occurring at a heart beat are used as characteristic values.

Abstract: An implantable device for the intermittent occlusion of a blood vessel (2), in particular a vein draining the organ system, comprising an occlusion means (3) which is activatable for intermittent occlusion and positionable in the blood vessel (2), at least one sensor (5) for the continuous or periodical detection of at least one physiological measurement, a control device (4) to which the at least one physiological measurement is fed and which cooperates with the occlusion means (3) to control the intermittent occlusion as a function of said measurement, and an implantable anchoring means (9) separate from the occlusion means (3) and capable of being brought into operative connection with the blood vessel (2) for positioning the occlusion means (3) relative to the blood vessel (2).

Abstract: In a method for the intermittent occlusion of a vein draining the organ system, in which the vein is occluded by an occlusion device, the fluid pressure in the occluded vein is continuously measured and stored, the behaviour of the fluid pressure is determined as a function of time, and the occlusion of the vein is triggered and/or released as a function of at least one characteristic value derived from the pressure measurements, pressure is applied during the occlusion in a pulsating manner. The device for the intermittent occlusion of a vein, including an occlusion device, a pressure measuring device for continuously measuring the fluid pressure in the occluded vein, and a memory for storing the fluid pressure behaviour as a function of time, means are provided for applying a pulsating pressure in the occluded vein.

Abstract: In a method for intermittently occluding the coronary sinus, in which in an alternating manner the coronary sinus is occluded by an occlusion device and the occlusion is released, the curve of the fluid pressure occurring in the coronary sinus after the release of the occlusion is estimated by calculation and the time of the beginning of the next occlusion is determined as a function of the estimated pressure curve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the intermittent occlusion of a coronary sinus. The method includes occluding the coronary sinus with an occlusion device, continuously measuring the fluid pressure in the occluded coronary sinus and defining measured pressure by use, releasing the occlusion of the coronary sinus as a function of at least one parameter derived from the measured pressure values, introducing a perfusate into the occluded coronary sinus or at least a vein running into the coronary sinus, and controlling an amount of perfusate introduced as a function of the at least one parameter derived from the measured pressure values. The at least one parameter may be a derivative of a fluid pressure curve according to time, and/or a plateau value of the pressure minima, and/or a pressure value of the pressure maxima, of consecutive heartbeats that is computationally estimated from the measured fluid values.

Abstract: In a method for intermittently occluding the coronary sinus, in which the coronary sinus is occluded using an occlusion device, the fluid pressure in the occluded coronary sinus is continuously measured and stored, the fluid pressure curve is determined as a function of time, and the occlusion of the coronary sinus is triggered and/or released as a function of at least one characteristic value derived from the measured pressure values. The pressure increase and/or pressure decrease per time unit each occurring at a heart beat are used as characteristic values.

Abstract: In a method for the intermittent occlusion of the coronary sinus, in which the coronary sinus is occluded by an occlusion device, the fluid pressure in the occluded coronary sinus is continuously measured and the occlusion of the coronary sinus is released as a function of at least one parameter derived from the measured pressure values, a perfusate is introduced into the occluded coronary sinus or at least a vein running into the coronary sinus, wherein the control of the introduced amount of perfusate is performed under consideration of at least one parameter derived from the measured pressure values. The device for the intermittent occlusion of the coronary sinus includes an occlusion means for the occlusion of the coronary sinus, a control means for the triggering or release of said occlusion and a pressure measuring means for the determination of the fluid pressure prevailing in the coronary sinus during the occlusion.