Devices and methods 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.

The present disclosure 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. The device is provided with a first part having a first surface comprising a ceramic material, and a second part having a second surface comprising a ceramic material.

A muscle-powered pulsation device for cardiac support including a muscle energy converter device including a piston arrangement for directing fluid out of an outlet of the muscle energy converter device using energy provided by a patient's muscle, and a hydraulic volume amplification device fluidly connected to the muscle energy converter device. The volume amplification device includes a casing including an inlet and an outlet, the inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the muscle energy converter device, at least one resilient member positioned within an interior cavity defined by the casing, and at least one piston member movably and sealingly positioned within the interior cavity of the casing and operatively connected to the at least one resilient member, the at least one piston member separating the interior cavity into a first chamber and a second chamber.

A cardiac assist device including a sleeve configured to externally wrap around a native, intact heart; a motor, and a drive shaft that connects the motor to the sleeve, wherein, actuation of the motor and the drive shaft provides a synchronized assisting force to a pumping force of the native, intact whole heart, thereby helping contraction and expansion of the heart located within an internal volume defined by the sleeve. Some embodiments relate to a system for synchronizing the cardiac assist device with a heart including the cardiac assist device; a power supply connected to the motor; and an electrical connector-relay configured to receive electrical signals from the pacemaker and to generate actuating signals that are relayed to the motor and the drive shaft, wherein, during operation of the system in a subject, the heart is assisted in contracting synchronously with the pacemaker signal rhythm.

Disclosed are techniques to generate ideal or near ideal profiles for regulation of the volume of fluid flow in a drive system of a pump for an externally mechanically supported heart, pressure in or near the pump, or measured strain/strain rates of the supported heart, based on an estimate/measurement of the heart's size. A part of the techniques for regulation may focus on achieving mechanical synchrony with the intrinsic cyclic pump function of a partially functional heart. The techniques do not fundamentally rely on hemodynamic measurements to function. However, when hemodynamic measures are available, those measures can be fed to control algorithms to increase the efficacy of regulation to restore the heart's pump function.

Set forth are the structure, function, placement, and applications of vascular valves and servovalves. In the vascular tree, the diversion, shunting, and bypass of flow these provide allow solid organ transplantation which eliminates anoxia and graft organ degradation following harvesting and storage, likely including late term cardiac allograft vasculopathy. Along the lower urinary tract, the diversion of urine from damaged ureters to the native or an artificial bladder or collection bag alleviates problems of intractable urinary incontinence, nocturia, overactive bladder, and frequent urination. Where the lower tract is missing, the synthetics in a valve-based prosthesis preclude infection and degenerative metaplastic transition which can result in malignancy when gut is used to construct a neobladder and/or high maintenance stoma. Accessory channels in side-entry valves and servovalves allow the direct pipe-targeting of medication to sites of disease, anastomoses, or any other trouble spots.

A control system for a cardiac support device and the method of supporting the functionality and synchronized contraction of a heart. An optimal strain profile is calculated for a healthy heart. The cardiac support device is attached to the heart and a true ventricular strain profile is measured. The cardiac support device applies external forces to the heart, therein altering said ventricular strain profile of said heart to be closer to the optimal strain profile. The cardiac support device is dynamically controlled to synchronize with the beating rhythm of the heart. The external forces have an applied strain profile. The applied strain profile has a peak strain, a time to peak strain, and a cycle time. These variables can be adjusted either individually or in combinations to fine tune the cardiac support device and cause the altered strain profile of the heart to be closer to the optimal strain profile.

A control system for a cardiac support device and the method of supporting the functionality and synchronized contraction of a heart. An optimal strain profile is calculated for a healthy heart. The cardiac support device is attached to the heart and a true ventricular strain profile is measured. The cardiac support device applies external forces to the heart, therein altering said ventricular strain profile of said heart to be closer to the optimal strain profile. The cardiac support device is dynamically controlled to synchronize with the beating rhythm of the heart. The external forces have an applied strain profile. The applied strain profile has a peak strain, a time to peak strain, and a cycle time. These variables can be adjusted either individually or in combinations to fine tune the cardiac support device and cause the altered strain profile of the heart to be closer to the optimal strain profile.

Methods and devices that prevent stasis in the LAA by either increasing the flow through the LAA or by closing off or sealing the LAA. Increasing the flow is accomplished through shunts, flow diverters, agitators, or by increasing the size of the ostium. Closing off the LAA is accomplished using seals or by cinching the LAA.

A smart cardiac assist device which may aid in ventricular recovery. The device proactively assists the left and the right ventricular chambers to contract and relax better. The device includes a plurality of sensors to understand the native cardiac function in real time and assist the heart as per its requirement and support required in real time.