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 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 medical device delivery system can comprise a delivery catheter and an in-line sheath, the delivery catheter being preloaded within the in-line sheath. The delivery catheter can comprise a catheter hub and a catheter shaft. The catheter shaft can comprise a proximal portion extending distally from the hub and slidably receiving a proximal narrow portion of a medical device, and a distal portion slidably receiving a distal wide portion of a medical device. The in-line sheath can comprise a sheath hub and a sheath shaft. The sheath shaft can comprise a proximal portion extending distally from the sheath hub and slidably receiving at least a portion of the proximal portion of the catheter shaft, and an expandable distal portion slidably receiving the distal portion of the catheter shaft.

A medical device delivery system can comprise a delivery catheter and an in-line sheath, the delivery catheter being preloaded within the in-line sheath. The delivery catheter can comprise a catheter hub and a catheter shaft. The catheter shaft can comprise a proximal portion extending distally from the hub and slidably receiving a proximal narrow portion of a medical device, and a distal portion slidably receiving a distal wide portion of a medical device. The in-line sheath can comprise a sheath hub and a sheath shaft. The sheath shaft can comprise a proximal portion extending distally from the sheath hub and slidably receiving at least a portion of the proximal portion of the catheter shaft, and an expandable distal portion slidably receiving the distal portion of the catheter shaft.

The present invention provides tissue-engineered pumps and valves, methods of fabricating such pumps and valves, and methods of use of such pumps and valves.

An extravenous valve may include a constricting member configured to surround a body lumen or blood vessel and actuate between a lumen or vessel-occluding configuration and a non-lumen or non-vessel-occluding, configuration, the constricting member including a base material and a shape memory material coupled to the base material, a power source in communication with the constricting member, and a controller configured to receive bio-feedback from a patient. The controller may reversibly actuate the constricting member between the lumen or vessel-occluding configuration and the non-lumen or non-vessel-occluding configuration in response to the bio-feedback. The constricting member may be sized and configured to be delivered to the treatment location through the body lumen or blood vessel.

A system and method for the installation and operation of a cardiac assist device. Flexible guides are advanced into a prepared space using minimally invasive techniques. A cardiac assist device is advanced into position in the pericardial area along the flexible guides. Once in position, the cardiac assist device is activated while still engaged with the flexible guides. The flexible guides provide structural integrity to the cardiac assist device needed in order for the cardiac assist device to function properly. The forces supplied to the heart by the cardiac assist device are affected by the presence of the flexible guides. The structure of the flexible guides, the position of the flexible guides, and the structure of the cardiac assist device are customized to supply the forces needed by a particular heart in order to assist the heart in pumping more efficiently.

A system and method for the installation and operation of a cardiac assist device. Flexible guides are advanced into a prepared space using minimally invasive techniques. A cardiac assist device is advanced into position in the pericardial area along the flexible guides. Once in position, the cardiac assist device is activated while still engaged with the flexible guides. The flexible guides provide structural integrity to the cardiac assist device needed in order for the cardiac assist device to function properly. The forces supplied to the heart by the cardiac assist device are affected by the presence of the flexible guides. The structure of the flexible guides, the position of the flexible guides, and the structure of the cardiac assist device are customized to supply the forces needed by a particular heart in order to assist the heart in pumping more efficiently.