Abstract: In an embodiment herein, an aortopulmonary stimulation method is provided including positioning at least one aortic electrode in or near the aorta, and using the at least one aortic electrode, to deliver stimulation to the aorta to decrease aortic after load.

Abstract: A method for repairing a heart includes identifying a heart of a patient as having a reduced ejection fraction. In response to the identifying, wall stress of a ventricle of the heart is reduced by implanting apparatus that facilitates cyclical moving of fluid that is not blood of the patient into and out of the ventricle of the heart. During ventricular diastole, a volume of the fluid is moved into the ventricle in a manner that produces a corresponding decrease in a total volume of blood that fills the ventricle during diastole. During ventricular systole, the volume of the fluid is moved out of the ventricle in a manner that produces a corresponding decrease in a total volume of the ventricle during isovolumetric contraction of the ventricle. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a micromotor (10), the stator of which contains a back iron jacket (18). Said back iron jacket consists of a continuous unslotted sleeve consisting of a metal alloy that contains ferritic iron as the main constituent, up to 30% chromium and preferably aluminium and yttrium oxide. Electric conductivity is reduced by the oxidation of the aluminium. The yttrium oxide performs the same function. The reduced electric conductivity suppresses eddy currents to a great extent. The back iron jacket (18) has a high magnetic conductivity with a small wall thickness, thus increasing the electrical output for a motor with a small diameter.

Abstract: A device for cardiocirculatory assistance constituting a pump for a blood flow includes a body, a pair of covers, and a pair of membranes. The device is provided with a circuit for the passage of a gas or gaseous fluid alternatively under pressure and depressurization so that a reciprocating pumping motion of the membranes is established.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices, systems, and methods for control of ventricular assist devices. The invention includes an implantable controller that is operatively programmed to direct physiological flow through a ventricular assist device that is substantially synchronized to the cardiac cycle of the subject. The implantable controller is also communicatively connected to an external control unit, such that the implantable controller can transmit data to the external control unit, and instructions can be sent from the external control unit to the implantable controller.

Abstract: A ventricular assist device comprising a housing defining an interior space, at least two ports opening into said interior space, and at least one pump for pumping blood between the ports through said interior space, the ports and interior space providing a continuous blood flow path that is not interrupted by valves.

Abstract: A heart assistance device for the pulsatile delivery of blood is provided that includes a first pump chamber, a second pump chamber, and a pump. Both pump chambers each have a fluid chamber and a blood-carrying chamber. By means of the pump, each fluid chamber can be filled with a fluid or emptied thereof in such a way that an expansion or contraction of the fluid chamber takes place. During the expansion of the fluid chamber of one pump chamber, a compression of the blood-carrying chamber of the same blood chamber takes place. The pump is designed as a roller cell pump or vane pump.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a cuff for attachment to a heart includes an attachment component configured to engage a blood pump to attach the cuff to the blood pump and a sewing ring for attachment to the heart. The sewing ring is coupled to the attachment component, and the attachment component and the sewing ring each define a central opening configured to admit an inflow cannula of a blood pump. The sewing ring comprises a member that provides rigidity to flatten a portion of a myocardium of the heart when the cuff is attached to the heart.

Abstract: The embodiments relate to cardiac assist devices that comprise a jacket that wraps the exterior of the heart, where the jacket comprises one or more pneumatic or hydraulic bladders. The pneumatic or hydraulic bladders are linked to a pump, and the pump fills the bladders with fluid and withdraws the fluid in a cycle to match beats of the heart to assist contraction and pumping of the heart in systole or to assist expansion and filling of the heart in diastole.

Abstract: A treatment strategy for treatment of elevated pressure in a body conduit, such as a pulmonary vein, with a prosthetic partitioning device for placement in and/or about pulmonary veins is described, as well as delivery systems, and strategies for use thereof. A control device is configured to transmit signals to the prosthetic device to effectuate the repetitive transition between a first, less restricted flow configuration and a second, restricted flow configuration are described. A sensor device may be provided for monitoring physiological parameters of the patient, and can provide signals to the control device for effectuating the transition between the first and second configuration.

Abstract: A ventricular assist device (VAD) having static seal structure for a pump housing which includes a support structure, a first sealing element, and a second sealing element. The support structure circumscribes a pump chamber and includes a first sealing surface, an opposing second sealing surface, and a fluid transfer end interposed between the sealing surfaces. The support structure provides a fluid flow path running through the fluid transfer end and into the pump chamber via an inlet bore and from the pump chamber back through the fluid transfer end via an outlet bore. The first sealing element is disposed on the first sealing surface, and the second sealing element is disposed on the second sealing surface. The sealing elements are configured for forming sealing interfaces in the pump housing, establishing a static seal that isolates the pump chamber from an environment external to the fluid pump housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is an implantable one-piece heart prosthesis having a driving artificial ventricle and a driven artificial ventricle. A main actuator is configured to transmit to the driving artificial ventricle diastolic and systolic flow rates having desired respective values for the driving artificial ventricle. An auxiliary actuator is configured to transmit to the driven artificial ventricle correction systolic and diastolic flow rates that correct the systolic and diastolic flow rates transmitted by the main actuator to the driven artificial ventricle.

Abstract: An assembly for providing localized pressure to a region of a patient's heart to improve heart functioning, including: (a) a jacket made of a flexible biocompatible material, the jacket having an open top end that is received around the heart and a bottom portion that is received around the apex of the heart; and (b) at least one inflatable bladder disposed on an interior surface of the jacket, the inflatable bladder having an inelastic outer surface positioned adjacent to the jacket and an elastic inner surface such that inflation of the bladder causes the bladder to deform substantially inwardly to exert localized pressure against a region of the heart.

Abstract: The embodiments relate to cardiac assist devices that comprise a jacket that wraps the exterior of the heart, where the jacket comprises one or more pneumatic or hydraulic bladders. The pneumatic or hydraulic bladders are linked to a pump, and the pump fills the bladders with fluid and withdraws the fluid in a cycle to match beats of the heart to assist contraction and pumping of the heart in systole or to assist expansion and filling of the heart in diastole.

Abstract: Implantable one-piece heart prosthesis. According to the invention, the prosthesis comprises a main hydraulic actuator (13t) arranged between the artificial ventricles (2 and 8) and designed to actuate, with desired flow rates, one (8) of said artificial ventricles, and also an auxiliary hydraulic actuator (7t) designed to correct the diastolic and systolic flow rates of the other (2) of said ventricles.

Abstract: A multilayered impedance pump is formed by an inner tube and an outer tube which have different mechanical characteristics. The outer tube is relatively stiff, and can be used for a structural material. The inner tube is excitable, and a gel is placed between the inner and outer tube. The actuator actuates the gel to cause pressure waves along the inner tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an implantable device for improving the pump function of the heart of a human patient by applying an external force on the heart muscle, said device comprising at least one pump device comprising: a first part having a first surface, and a second part having a second surface. The first part is displaceable in relation to the second part and said first and second surfaces abut each other, at least partially. The second part exerts, directly or indirectly, force on an external part of said heart muscle.

Abstract: An organ assist system having a closed fluid system having a ring-shaped prosthetic contactively surrounding at least a portion of a body part, including bladders adapted for selectable dilation and contraction in response to varying fluid pressure therewithin, a fluid pump, and apparatus for pressurizing the bladders; and a control unit for controlling operation of at least the fluid pump; pressure sensors within the fluid system; a power source, and shut off valves. The pressurization apparatus includes pressure cells arranged in an array, each pressure cell having a shut-off valve at its inlet, and a shut-off valve at its outlet, the shut-off valves being controlled by the control unit such that the pressurization apparatus is operable to provide a range of pressurizations to the bladders of the prosthetic for applying a controlled variable pressurizing effect to the body part thereby.

Abstract: A device for altering cardiac performance includes an energy absorbing element which absorbs cardiac pumping energy from at least a portion of the heart. The energy may be delivered to another part of the body, such as another portion of the heart, to perform useful work such as providing blood pumping assistance.

Abstract: A driver is disclosed for powering a pneumatically operated implantable device, such as an artificial heart with a left and a right ventricle. The driver includes a pair of compressors that each has a first and a second compression chamber. In a first mode of operation, both the first and the second compressor power the left and right ventricle of the artificial heart. In the event of a malfunction in the second compressor, the left and right ventricles of the artificial heart may be powered by the first compressor. Similarly, if a malfunction occurs in the first compressor, the artificial heart may be fully powered by the second compressor.

Abstract: A cardiocirculatory aiding device is disclosed generally comprising a housing with a cavity, an inlet, an outlet, and first and second sides with apertures therein, first and second shells mounted to the sides of the housing, and first and second membranes disposed between the housing and the shells such that the membranes cover the apertures in the sides of the housing, thereby creating a central blood chamber and two outer gas chambers. A pump supplies gas through a duct into the gas chambers to cause the membranes to flex into the blood chamber to pump the blood in that chamber through the outlet. In some embodiments, the pump is external and the duct passes through an incision in the body. In some embodiments, the membranes are elastomer membranes.

Abstract: Device for rapid connection between a totally implantable heart prosthesis and natural articles. According to the invention, said prosthesis comprises: fastening means (16, 25) for fastening an end of one of the lunettes (2, 3) to the other lunette (3, 2), said fastening means being able to permit folding of said lunettes relative to each other; guide means (10, 11, 20, 21) for guiding said lunettes relative to each other before and during fastening and also during folding; and snap-fit means (19, 26) for engaging said lunettes on each other in the operating position corresponding to the end of said folding.

Abstract: An implantable aortic blood pump includes a rigid body having wall extending along a long axis and defining an inflation port portion with an inflation aperture therethrough. The aperture is fluid communication with an inner surface of the body and on a fluid supply, the body is preferably independent of an external brace or an external stiffener, yet still has a cantilevered deformation of less than 8 millimeters in response to a 200 gram weight suspended from a front body edge. A deflecting structure of a membrane deflects in response to fluid pressure so as to pump blood when the pump is secured to a subject aorta.

Abstract: An organ assist system having a closed fluid system having a ring-shaped prosthetic contactively surrounding at least a portion of a body part, including bladders adapted for selectable dilation and contraction in response to varying fluid pressure therewithin, a fluid pump, and apparatus for pressurizing the bladders; and a control unit for controlling operation of at least the fluid pump; pressure sensors within the fluid system; a power source, and shut off valves. The pressurization apparatus includes pressure cells arranged in an array, each pressure cell having a shut-off valve at its inlet, and a shut-off valve at its outlet, the shut-off valves being controlled by the control unit such that the pressurization apparatus is operable to provide a range of pressurizations to the bladders of the prosthetic for applying a controlled variable pressurizing effect to the body part thereby.

Abstract: Methods and devices for passively assisting the cardiac function of the heart are disclosed. A method of increasing the cardiac output of a heart includes providing a site of surgical access to the portion of the heart to be restrained, reducing the cardiac expansion of the portion of the heart to be restrained, and maintaining the reduction of cardiac expansion of the portion of the heart to be restrained for a substantial amount of time. Cardiac assist devices for increasing the cardiac output of the heart are disclosed comprising a reinforcing portion configured to contact a portion of the heart tissue wherein the reinforcing portion restricts the expansion of the portion of the heart tissue. The reinforcing portion can be a number of structures, including pads, frames, straps, and other retaining means for limiting cardiac expansion of the portion of the heart tissue to be restrained.

Abstract: In a small sized pump driving unit, a fluid pump is used for driving the pump for supporting of substituting of cardiac function. The fluid pump can generate pressure fluctuations that can generate pulsation of the pump for supporting or substituting of cardiac function and produces sufficient performance to drive the pump unit.

Abstract: A pneumatic ventricular assist device (VAD) is disclosed for use in any circulatory support application including RVAD, LAVD, or BIVAD, trans-operative, short-term or long-term, tethered implantable or extracorporeal. In the preferred embodiment, the VAD consists of a soft contoured pump shell and a disposable pumping unit, which includes: a pump sac; an inlet and an outlet (a.k.a. discharge) with one-way valves; and tubing connectors. The valves comprise a cantilevered pair of closely adjacent thin ledges, nicknamed “valve leaflets,” that resemble needle-nose pliers. The valve leaflets permit a one-way flow of blood between them, as an opposite flow pinches the distal ends of leaflets together, thereby closing off the channel between them. This design is specially designed to allow continuous and fluid movement of blood (in one direction) while limiting blood-contacting surfaces.

Abstract: A dual pusher-plate blood pump implanted into the body with either mechanical or biological valves (17) for unidirectional blood circulation through a circulation variable chamber (blood chamber) (12) to assist circulation. LVAS comprises a receptacle (housing) (4) provided with an inlet (3) and an outlet (5) The pump inflow (3) is connected to the left atrium and the pump outflow to the descending thoracic aorta (5,7) and a pulsating external pneumatic unit (8).

Abstract: A hollow tubular element is inserted in the descending aorta. The caudad end contains a pressure sensitive passive or preferably, hydraulically or electrically activated, unidirectional valve. A flexible diaphragm situated in a rigid shell affixed over an opening in the element wall divides the shell interior into first and second variable volume chambers. The first chamber opens to the artery. A continuously operating electrical pump is connected to the second chamber through a closed hydraulic system including a multi-valve chamber. The valves regulate fluid flow to the second chamber in accordance with electrical signals from the heart. Fluid flow is directed to the second chamber during cardiac diastole and away from the second chamber during cardiac systole, causing the device to function in a counterpulsation mode. The work of the heart is decreased and coronary blood flow is increased to promote the formation of new coronary collateral channels and the perfusion of the heart itself.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treating degenerative, congestive heart disease and related dysfunction are described. Minimally invasive surgical force transfer structures offer devices that mitigate changes in the ventricular structure (i.e. remodeling) and deterioration of global left ventricular performance related to tissue damage precipitating from ischemia, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or other abnormalities. These force transfer structures resist diastolic filling pressure while simultaneously transmitting a compressive force to the aorta, the pulmonary artery, the atrium and/or other anatomic structure to improve cardiac output thereby reducing the strain on the heart. In addition, the force transfer structures may compensate or provide therapeutic treatment for congestive heart failure and/or reverse the remodeling that produces an enlarged heart.

Abstract: A blood pump driving device which is capable of making a blood pump 10 free from an unbalance between loads when sucking and discharging, respectively and which makes it possible to eliminate a sensor positioned close to a patient, is made up of an oil reservoir 30 including therein a gas chamber 33 and a liquid chamber 32, an oil pump 20 for pumping out a liquid stored in the liquid chamber 32 of the oil reservoir 30 to the blood pump 10, and a pressure accumulating chamber 34 storing therein a gas pressure of the gas chamber 33 of the oil reservoir 30 by being brought into fluid communication with the gas chamber 33 of the oil reservoir 30.

Abstract: An intracavity artificial ventricle (IAV), which comprises a mechanic circulatory assistance device, designed to be assembled inside the remaining and preserved muscular mass of a natural ventricle in terminal stage. Said design allows the use of the space available inside the anterior mediastinum, and preserves the irrigation and the function of the contralateral ventricle.

Abstract: An orthotopic total artificial heart for replacing the human heart comprising a new design of two assembled blood chambers with an original layout between themselves and between their inlet and outlet ports. Such design enables a significantly better space utilization inside the anterior mediastinum than the prior art; realizing the required anatomical fit.

Abstract: A unified, non-blood contacting, implantable heart assist system surrounds the natural heart and provides circumferential contraction in synchrony with the heart's natural contractions. The pumping unit is composed of adjacent tube pairs arranged along a bias with respect to the axis of the heart and bound in a non-distensible sheath forming a heart wrap. The tube pairs are tapered at both ends such that when they are juxtaposed and deflated they approximately follow the surface of the diastolic myocardium. Inflation of the tube pairs causes the wrap to follow the motion of the myocardial surface during systole. A muscle-driven or electromagnetically powered energy converter inflates the tubes using hydraulic fluid pressure. An implanted electronic controller detects electrical activity in the natural heart, synchronizes pumping activity with this signal, and measures and diagnoses system as well as physiological operating parameters for automated operation.

Abstract: A biventricular cardiac prosthesis has a flow balance control system to balance blood flow through the left and right sides of the prosthesis to maintain a patient's left atrial pressure within physiologic bounds. The prosthesis can be configured to have flow characteristics so that a signal representative of the difference in hydraulic pumping pressures on the left and right sides of the prosthesis is representative of the difference between left and right atrial pressures of a patient having the prosthesis implanted. This signal can be used as a control signal to drive the prosthesis so that left atrial pressure is approximately equal to right atrial pressure, and within physiologic bounds. A specific prosthesis includes left and right pumping sections, each having a blood pumping chamber and a hydraulic fluid chamber, with a reciprocating hydraulic pump driving systole alternately on the right and left sides.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a prosthetic device that can be implanted in the pleural cavity of patients undergoing lung volume reduction surgery. The device is designed so that its volume can be adjusted by externally adding or removing gas without the need for additional surgical intervention.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted to be inflated and deflated in response to selective communication with a source of pressurized fluid includes a bladder having a semi-rigid shell body portion and a relatively thin membrane portion defining an inflatable chamber. The elongate semi-rigid shell body preferably includes a contoured, concave inner surface terminating at a peripheral side edge. At least one passage extends through the shell body defining an opening in the inner surface of the shell body. The flexible membrane is continuously bonded to the shell body adjacent the peripheral side edge to define the enclosed inflatable chamber in communication with the passage. The membrane has a reduced waist portion defining a membrane tension zone adjacent the opening of the passage into the chamber to reduce the probability of occluding the entrance while deflating the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus for assisting a patient's heart operation. The apparatus comprises a mechanism for expanding and collapsing a right ventricle free wall of a heart of a patient. The apparatus also comprises a mechanism for powering the expanding and collapsing mechanism. The powering mechanism is in communication with the expanding and collapsing mechanism. The present invention pertains to a method for assisting operation of a patient's heart. The method comprises the steps of expanding a balloon placed between a right ventricle free wall and a septum of a patient such that right ventricular compression is achieved during cardiac systole. Then there is the step of collapsing the balloon during cardiac diastole.

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 device for assisting the functioning of a heart has elastic filling chambers attached to an elastic cover which can be placed at least partially around the heart. The filling chambers can be repetitively filled and emptied to exert mechanical pressure on a region of a pumping chamber of the heart.

Abstract: The invention is practiced by introducing a catheter (10)into the left ventricle of the heart. Deployment of an intraventricular pump assembly (12) from the end of catheter (10) is carried out by pushing holding device (24) in direction of the arrow (26). The tubes (20) of the intraventricular pump assembly (16) swing outward to protrude from hub (18). The first intraventricular pump (16) has a resilient bulb (30) attached to the hub (18). The tubes (20) are then self-anchored the myocardium such that they can act to inject blood into the myocardial wall from the ventricle.