A system and method of increasing the pumping efficiency of an individual's heart, wherein an actual pumping efficiency is compared to an optimal pumping efficiency to determine a force assist profile. A cardiac assist device is created that will apply the force assist profile to the heart. The cardiac assist device is surgically inserted in vivo to physically affect the heart. The cardiac assist device has an outer shell and at least one inflatable membrane that passes over the ventricles of the heart, wherein the inflatable membrane is inflated and deflated in accordance with a pressure profile provided by a pneumatic pump. The outer shell embodies outer shell strain characteristics. Each inflatable membrane embodies membrane strain characteristics. The force assist profile is a function of the outer shell strain characteristics, the membrane strain characteristics, and the pressure profile.

A system and method of increasing the pumping efficiency of an individual's heart, wherein an actual pumping efficiency is compared to an optimal pumping efficiency to determine a force assist profile. A cardiac assist device is created that will apply the force assist profile to the heart. The cardiac assist device is surgically inserted in vivo to physically affect the heart. The cardiac assist device has an outer shell and at least one inflatable membrane that passes over the ventricles of the heart, wherein the inflatable membrane is inflated and deflated in accordance with a pressure profile provided by a pneumatic pump. The outer shell embodies outer shell strain characteristics. Each inflatable membrane embodies membrane strain characteristics. The force assist profile is a function of the outer shell strain characteristics, the membrane strain characteristics, and the pressure profile.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a circulatory support device with an integrated cannula. In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for attachment to a cardiac pump, comprises an adaptor. The adaptor comprises an annular cross section configured to receive the cardiac pump. The annular cross section is secured to the cardiac pump. The adaptor also comprises a plurality of channels arranged around the adapter and a cannula comprising a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an intermediate portion comprising a braided mesh extending between the distal portion and the proximal portion. The proximal portion has a proximal end comprising a plurality of elements arranged through the channels and the distal portion comprises a plurality of wires and a tip element. The plurality of wires extend in a distal direction from the braided mesh to the tip element and are secured to the tip element. And, a coating covers at least a portion of the braided mesh.

A cannula system for providing a fluid connection to a heart includes a cannula having an end configured for connection to a myocardium of a heart. The cannula defines an inlet and includes a first cuff extending around the cannula so as to cover a substantial portion of an exterior surface of the cannula proximate the inlet. Additionally, a second cuff may be included that extends around the first end of the cannula adjacent a distal end of the first cuff.

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. Alternatively, the sensor monitors the heart based on admittance while the cardiac assist device. Alternatively, the sensor monitors the heart based on impedance.

A switchable pump device is provided and comprises a pump assembly including first and second pumps each having a separate inlet and outlet, an inner core or shell housing the pump assembly, and an outer shell housing the inner shell and having a pair of openings. The outer shell is interconnected to the inner shell such that the inner shell is movable relative to the outer shell to enable the inlet and outlet of a selected one of the first and second pumps to be aligned with the pair of openings in the outer shell to place the selected one of the first and second pumps in an operational condition while the other of the first and second pumps is positioned in an inoperative condition.

A switchable pump device is provided and comprises a pump assembly including first and second pumps each having a separate inlet and outlet, an inner core or shell housing the pump assembly, and an outer shell housing the inner shell and having a pair of openings. The outer shell is interconnected to the inner shell such that the inner shell is movable relative to the outer shell to enable the inlet and outlet of a selected one of the first and second pumps to be aligned with the pair of openings in the outer shell to place the selected one of the first and second pumps in an operational condition while the other of the first and second pumps is positioned in an inoperative condition.

A carrying case for a controller for an implantable blood pump includes a first flexible pouch sized and configured to retain the controller. The pouch has a first face and a second face opposite the first face, the first face includes a thermal insulating material and the second face including a thermal dissipating material.

A carrying case for a controller for an implantable blood pump includes a first flexible pouch sized and configured to retain the controller. The pouch has a first face and a second face opposite the first face, the first face includes a thermal insulating material and the second face including a thermal dissipating material.

The disclosed principles prevent over pressurization of harvested veins by controlling the amount and consistency of pressure applied through the veins from a continuous flow of fluid. This combination of regulated pressurization and continuity/uniformity in the pressure applied through veins is provided using a preparation pump constructed in accordance with the disclosed principles. In some embodiments the pump incorporates a spiral spring to deliver fluids from a bladder within the pump and through a vessel cannula inserted into the grafted vein, and in other embodiments the pump incorporates magnets to compress the bladder. The disclosed apparatus provides only a limited amount of pressure such that no injury is caused to the vein. Pressure and flow are limited and maintained constant, i.e., no pressure changes/spikes, providing uniform pressurization at a predetermined amount safe for the harvested vein, thereby eliminating the human error present with manual pressurization during distension of grafted veins.