Device and method for comminution or inactivation of circulating tumor cells (CTC) or tumor cell clusters (CTCC) from a tumor-affected organ or organ part, wherein it is proposed that in the venous drain of the tumor-affected organ or organ part a pump (2) with a pressure-increasing section and a pressure-reducing throttle (13) is arranged and is operated at the output side in its design point given by volumetric flow (Q) and pumping pressure (p) according to the volumetric flow and the blood pressure of the venous drain of the tumor-affected organ or organ part. Circulating tumor cells (CTC) and tumor cell clusters (CTCC) are thus comminuted and inactivated to thus reduce the risk of metastasis formation in cancerous diseases.

Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to devices and methods for controlling placement of intraocular implants within a patient's eye including but not limited to placement within or near the collector ducts of Schlemm's canal located behind the trabecular meshwork. In some embodiments, a handheld peristaltic rotor device having a compression element can be positioned on a corneal surface of the eye and rotated to create a peristaltic movement of blood in one or more episcleral veins to generate blood reflux within Schlemm's canal such that one or more collector ducts, or channels, of Schlemm's canal can be located. In some embodiments, an implant can be implanted near the identified location of the one or more collector ducts, or channels.

Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to devices and methods for controlling placement of intraocular implants within a patient's eye including but not limited to placement within or near the collector ducts of Schlemm's canal located behind the trabecular meshwork. In some embodiments, a handheld peristaltic rotor device having a compression element can be positioned on a corneal surface of the eye and rotated to create a peristaltic movement of blood in one or more episcleral veins to generate blood reflux within Schlemm's canal such that one or more collector ducts, or channels, of Schlemm's canal can be located. In some embodiments, an implant can be implanted near the identified location of the one or more collector ducts, or channels.

A perfusion system includes a perfusate source and a perfusion distributor coupled to the perfusate source and configured to convey oxygen containing perfusate from the perfusate source to tissue and exhaust carbon dioxide generated by the tissue. A carbon dioxide sensor is coupled to sense the carbon dioxide generated by the tissue, which can then be used to provide a measure of tissue viability.

A perfusion system includes a perfusate source and a perfusion distributor coupled to the perfusate source and configured to convey oxygen containing perfusate from the perfusate source to tissue and exhaust carbon dioxide generated by the tissue. A carbon dioxide sensor is coupled to sense the carbon dioxide generated by the tissue, which can then be used to provide a measure of tissue viability.

An implantable blood flow control system has an open passageway defined inside a radially inner wall, behind which is a closed passageway. The radially inner wall includes electroactive polymer actuator members for providing a variable flow restriction. The flow restriction has an undulating shape so that the volume of the closed passageway may remain constant during actuation of the electroactive polymer actuator members. In this way, the chamber behind the actuator members does not impede free movement of the actuator members. The undulating pattern presents no sharp edges, where blood coagulation could otherwise occur.

An implantable device includes an EAP actuator and a sensor. The sensor is configured to monitor a force external to the implantable device acting in a direction either with or counter to a direction of actuation of the actuator, and a controller is adapted to control the actuator to actuate at a moment when force counter to the direction of actuation is sensed to be at its lowest within a given time window or force with the direction of actuation is sensed to be at its highest within a given time window. In this way, actuation is effected at a moment of least resistance force, reducing the power needed for deployment of the actuator, and permitting actuation to occur even in conditions experiencing large variable forces.

Disclosed is a device for providing resuscitation or suspended state through redistribution of cardiac output to increase supply to the brain and heart for a patient. The device includes an electrically controllable redistribution component attachable to the patient to provide redistribution of the cardiac output to increase supply to the brain and heart. The redistribution component, following a predefined reaction pattern based on an electrical signal, and computer means configured to: receive a patient data which identifies physiological and/or anatomical characteristics of the patent; and provide the electrical signal for the redistribution component based on the patient data or a standard response. The device may provide mechanisms to protect the aorta and the remaining anatomy of the patient from inadvertent damage caused by the disclosed device in any usage scenario of either correct intended usage or unintended usage. Also disclosed is a method for providing resuscitation or suspended state.

A system configured to be at least partially implanted along an aorta includes an inelastic, static member and a pinching member. The pinching member is configured to receive an activation signal at an activation rate and in response to the activation signal, repeatedly compress the aorta at the second location at the activation rate to pump fluid within the aorta in a desired pumping direction. The system is configured to selectively control wave reflections in order to achieve both improved wave dynamics to reduce cardiac load and increased (or at least non-diminished) blood flow to targeted organs within the cardiovascular system.

A temporary, removable mechanical circulatory support heart-assist device has at least two propellers or impellers. Each propeller or impeller has a number of blades arranged around an axis of rotation. The blades are configured to pump blood. The two propellers or impellers rotate in opposite directions from each other. The device can be configured to be implanted and removed with minimally invasive surgery.