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.

The present disclosure describes flow stagnation control components that allow improved flow control in systems including injection members, while also limiting the creation of regions of little to no flow in the vasculature, resulting in low flow zones or dead zones. The flow stagnation control components can be formed as an imposed minimum conductance component or a controlled flow partitioning system.

Diffusion and infusion resistant implantable devices and methods for reducing pulsatile pressure are provided. The implantable device includes a balloon implantable within a blood vessel of a patient, e.g., the pulmonary artery. The balloon is injected with a fluid mixture comprising a constituent fluid(s) and a diffusion-resistant gas to provide optimal balloon volume and limit fluid diffusion throughout multiple cardiac cycles. The fluid mixture may be pressurized such that the balloon is transitionable between an expanded state and a collapsed state responsive to pressure fluctuations in the blood vessel.

The invention provides an introducer assembly for delivering a blood pump into vasculature of a subject, as well as a method for utilizing the assembly.

A method, apparatus and computer system product for improving cardiac output from the heart is presented. A balloon is placed within a chamber of a heart wherein the balloon encloses a mechanical expansion device and air. During a first time epoch in which the heart chamber is volumetrically contracting (during emptying), a mechanical expansion device causes the balloon to increase in size, which improves ejection fraction. During a second time epoch in which the heart chamber is volumetrically expanding (during filling), the mechanical expansion device causes the balloon to decrease in size, which improves filling.

A system for treating atrial dysfunction, including heart failure and/or atrial fibrillation, that includes one or more pressurizing elements and control circuitry. The one or more pressurizing elements can comprise one or more balloons and can be configured to be positioned in the left atrium, and optionally the pulmonary artery, of a patient's heart. The one or more pressurizing elements can be coupled to one or more positioning structures that can be configured to position the one or more pressurizing elements in the left atrium, and optionally the pulmonary artery. The control circuitry can be configured to operate the one or more pressurizing elements to decrease or increase pressure and/or volume in the left atrium, and optionally the pulmonary artery, in accordance with different phases of the cardiac cycle. The control circuitry can be further configured to operate the one or more pressurizing elements to generate coordinated pressure modifications in the left atrium, and optionally the pulmonary artery.

A heart support device for circulatory assistance is disclosed. The device comprises a chamber body (10) defining a chamber having an internal volume configured to be filled with blood. The chamber body (10) has a first opening (12) and the chamber is dimensioned such that the first opening (12) and the chamber are fully disposed within a chamber of the human heart. A dynamic volume body (14) is provided and configured to be inflated or deflated to alternately increase or decrease the interior volume of the chamber. A catheter (16) comprising at least one lumen in fluid communication with the dynamic volume body is configured to deliver fluid to the dynamic volume body to inflate the dynamic volume body. A directional flow structure is configured to direct a flow of blood out of the chamber in a direction substantially aligned with a direction in which the catheter (16) extends.

A heart support device for circulatory assistance is disclosed. The device comprises a chamber body (10) defining a chamber having an internal volume configured to be filled with blood. The chamber body (10) has a first opening (12) and the chamber is dimensioned such that the first opening (12) and the chamber are fully disposed within a chamber of the human heart. A dynamic volume body (14) is provided and configured to be inflated or deflated to alternately increase or decrease the interior volume of the chamber. A catheter (16) comprising at least one lumen in fluid communication with the dynamic volume body is configured to deliver fluid to the dynamic volume body to inflate the dynamic volume body. A directional flow structure is configured to direct a flow of blood out of the chamber in a direction substantially aligned with a direction in which the catheter (16) extends.

The present invention concerns a device for the ventricular emergency support, comprising: a first flexible catheter (2), with a variable transversal section, provided with an extremal balloon (7) for the controlled occlusion of the ascending aorta (AA) of the treated patient; a first pump (12), associated to said first catheter (2) for the aspiration and contemporary input of equivalent blood quantifies into the blood circle of the treated patient; a second flexible catheter (32), with a fixed transversal section, provided with a couple of extremal balloons (34), spaced apart, for the controlled occlusion of the inferior vena cava (CA) and of the superior vena cava (CD) of the treated patient; a second pump (35), associated to said first and second catheter (2, 32) for inflating and deflating said extremal balloons (7, 34) of said first and second catheter (2, 32); an electronic control unit (36) for adjusting and controlling the operational parameters of said first and second pump (12, 35), and for the detection of the cardiac parameters of the treated patient; rechargeable or network means (37, 38) for the power supply of above mentioned components.

The present invention concerns a device for the ventricular emergency support, comprising: a first flexible catheter (2), with a variable transversal section, provided with an extremal balloon (7) for the controlled occlusion of the ascending aorta (AA) of the treated patient; a first pump (12), associated to said first catheter (2) for the aspiration and contemporary input of equivalent blood quantifies into the blood circle of the treated patient; a second flexible catheter (32), with a fixed transversal section, provided with a couple of extremal balloons (34), spaced apart, for the controlled occlusion of the inferior vena cava (CA) and of the superior vena cava (CD) of the treated patient; a second pump (35), associated to said first and second catheter (2, 32) for inflating and deflating said extremal balloons (7, 34) of said first and second catheter (2, 32); an electronic control unit (36) for adjusting and controlling the operational parameters of said first and second pump (12, 35), and for the detection of the cardiac parameters of the treated patient; rechargeable or network means (37, 38) for the power supply of above mentioned components.