An apparatus for a heart of a patient having a cardiac assist device adapted to be implanted into the patient to assist the heart with pumping blood. The apparatus has a sensor adapted to be implanted into the patient. The sensor in communication with the cardiac assist device and the heart which measures native volume of the heart. The apparatus has a first cardiac assist device and a second cardiac assist device tuned to maximize blood flow to the body of the patient, while resting the heart so the heart may recover function. Alternatively, the sensor monitors the heart based on admittance while the cardiac assist device. Alternatively, the sensor monitors the heart based on impedance.

The invention relates to a fluid pump having a housing delimiting a fluid chamber and having a conveying element for the fluid disposed in the fluid chamber, the housing, with respect to the shape and/or size thereof, being able to be changed between at least a first, expanded state and a second, compressed state. The object, to stabilise adequately a corresponding housing, is achieved according to the invention by the housing having at least one stabilisation chamber which can be supplied with a fluid pressure and is different from the fluid chamber, the first state of the housing being assigned to a first fluid pressure in the stabilisation chamber and the second state of the housing being assigned to a second fluid pressure.

The invention relates to a fluid pump having a housing delimiting a fluid chamber and having a conveying element for the fluid disposed in the fluid chamber, the housing, with respect to the shape and/or size thereof, being able to be changed between at least a first, expanded state and a second, compressed state. The object, to stabilise adequately a corresponding housing, is achieved according to the invention by the housing having at least one stabilisation chamber which can be supplied with a fluid pressure and is different from the fluid chamber, the first state of the housing being assigned to a first fluid pressure in the stabilisation chamber and the second state of the housing being assigned to a second fluid pressure.

A circulatory assist apparatus comprising: an inflatable pumping balloon having a proximal end joined to an elongated balloon catheter, the balloon catheter having a distal end joined to the pumping balloon and a proximal end, separated from the distal end by a length sufficient to extend from within a circulatory lumen to the outside of a patient's body, for receiving positive and negative pressure pulses from a pump to inflate and deflate the pumping balloon; and a radially expandable frame, mounted on one of a segment extending distally from the pumping balloon, the balloon catheter, and a sleeve tube surrounding the balloon catheter. The expandable frame is manipulate to expand within the circulatory lumen, and functions to space apart the inflatable balloon from the circulatory lumen, having a first diameter in a collapsed configuration for intraluminal delivery and a second, larger diameter in an expanded configuration achieved by said manipulation.

A circulatory assist apparatus comprising: an inflatable pumping balloon having a proximal end joined to an elongated balloon catheter, the balloon catheter having a distal end joined to the pumping balloon and a proximal end, separated from the distal end by a length sufficient to extend from within a circulatory lumen to the outside of a patient's body, for receiving positive and negative pressure pulses from a pump to inflate and deflate the pumping balloon; and a radially expandable frame, mounted on one of a segment extending distally from the pumping balloon, the balloon catheter, and a sleeve tube surrounding the balloon catheter. The expandable frame is manipulate to expand within the circulatory lumen, and functions to space apart the inflatable balloon from the circulatory lumen, having a first diameter in a collapsed configuration for intraluminal delivery and a second, larger diameter in an expanded configuration achieved by said manipulation.

Systems and methods for blood flow control are described herein. In some variations, a blood flow control system may comprise a blood flow control device. The blood flow control device may be placed within a body of a patient and may comprise an expandable member and a sensor. The sensor may be configured to measure at least one of a physiologic condition of the patient and a pressure associated with the expandable member. The blood flow control system may include at least one controller communicably coupled to the sensor to: receive data indicative of at least one of the physiologic condition of the patient and the pressure associated with the expandable member from the sensor, compare the received data with target data, identify at least one error based on the comparison, and in response to identifying the error, inhibit at least one function of the blood flow control system.

A drive unit for intravascular circulatory support systems may include a motor, a ball nut, a ball screw, and a bellows. The motor may include a rotor and a stator. The ball nut may be affixed to the rotor. The bellows may have a first end and an second end and a bellows cavity located there between. The first end may be in fixed position and the second end may be defined by a dynamic flange having a recess carried by the bellows cavity. In turn, the recess of the dynamic flange may carry at least a portion of the motor. The second end may also receive the ball screw. Rotation of the rotor causes linear motion of the ball screw within the ball nut to actuate the bellows.

A drive unit for intravascular circulatory support systems may include a motor, a ball nut, a ball screw, and a bellows. The motor may include a rotor and a stator. The ball nut may be affixed to the rotor. The bellows may have a first end and an second end and a bellows cavity located there between. The first end may be in fixed position and the second end may be defined by a dynamic flange having a recess carried by the bellows cavity. In turn, the recess of the dynamic flange may carry at least a portion of the motor. The second end may also receive the ball screw. Rotation of the rotor causes linear motion of the ball screw within the ball nut to actuate the bellows.

Some systems and methods for operating a vessel occlusion catheter may include a control and inflation device to control the filling of the balloon in such a manner that the vessel wall will not be overstressed while the safe occlusion of the blood vessel is achieved.

Neuromodulation is used to enhance left ventricular relaxation and/or left ventricular contractility, during contemporaneous use of a mechanical circulatory support device to increase cardiac output or aid in unloading the heart. An exemplary neuromodulation system includes a therapy element positionable in proximity to at least one nerve fiber, and a stimulator configured to energize the therapy element to delivery therapy to the at least one nerve fiber such that left ventricular relaxation and left ventricular contractility are contemporaneously enhanced.