A pericardial drainage device for draining a fluid from the pericardium of a patient is provided. The drainage device comprises a conduit, said conduit comprising a first and second section. At least a portion of said first section is adapted to receive a fluid inside of said pericardium. The second section of said conduit is adapted to be positioned outside of the pericardium of a patient and enable the exhaust of said fluid received from said pericardium through at least a portion of said second section.

A bidirectional intravascular blood pump system is disclosed for deployment in the descending aorta to improve perfusion in both upper and lower extremities. In some embodiments, the system includes a flexible stent housing containing an inflatable pump chamber and selectively inflatable proximal and distal check valves. In some embodiments, a controller sequences inflation and deflation of the pump components in coordination with the cardiac cycle. In some embodiments, the system capable of dynamically providing flow in opposite directions within the descending aorta to optimize systemic and cerebral perfusion. In some embodiments, the system can direct blood flow in either direction through the aorta by an inflation sequence of the check valves and pump chamber. In some embodiments, one or more bypasses in a check element, stent, and/or formed from selective inflation, enable pressurization of the aortic arch when timed with the closing of the aortic valve.

A bidirectional intravascular blood pump system is disclosed for deployment in the descending aorta to improve perfusion in both upper and lower extremities. In some embodiments, the system includes a flexible stent housing containing an inflatable pump chamber and selectively inflatable proximal and distal check valves. In some embodiments, a controller sequences inflation and deflation of the pump components in coordination with the cardiac cycle. In some embodiments, the system capable of dynamically providing flow in opposite directions within the descending aorta to optimize systemic and cerebral perfusion. In some embodiments, the system can direct blood flow in either direction through the aorta by an inflation sequence of the check valves and pump chamber. In some embodiments, one or more bypasses in a check element, stent, and/or formed from selective inflation, enable pressurization of the aortic arch when timed with the closing of the aortic valve.

A cardiac assist device includes an expandable cup with a pumping chamber having at least one inflow aperture, an outflow nozzle in communication with the chamber, and a volume displacement member inside the chamber. The volume displacement member is cyclically movable between a low-volume state and a high-volume state at a frequency F, wherein a displacement volume of blood Vd is displaced from the chamber through the nozzle during each cycle. When the volume displacement member moves at frequency F, the device increases momentum of blood flowing through the device such that flow rate of blood exiting the nozzle is substantially greater than the frequency F multiplied by the displacement volume Vd. In some embodiments, the volume displacement member includes a balloon having a proximal region that is distanced from an inner wall of the chamber more than a distal region of the balloon when the balloon is fully inflated.

A cardiac assist device includes an expandable cup with a pumping chamber having at least one inflow aperture, an outflow nozzle in communication with the chamber, and a volume displacement member inside the chamber. The volume displacement member is cyclically movable between a low-volume state and a high-volume state at a frequency F, wherein a displacement volume of blood Vd is displaced from the chamber through the nozzle during each cycle. When the volume displacement member moves at frequency F, the device increases momentum of blood flowing through the device such that flow rate of blood exiting the nozzle is substantially greater than the frequency F multiplied by the displacement volume Vd. In some embodiments, the volume displacement member includes a balloon having a proximal region that is distanced from an inner wall of the chamber more than a distal region of the balloon when the balloon is fully inflated.

The present invention relates to an implantable heart help device for assisting the pump function of the heart by exerting an external force on the heart. The device is provided with a first fixating member adapted to be fixate the device to a part of the human body comprising bone, a heart pump device having a surface adapted to contact and exert an external force on the heart, a second fixating member in contact with the heart pump device. The second fixating member is displaceable in relation to the first fixating member for changing the position of the surface of the heart pump device, to allow the surface of the heart pump device to contact and exert the external force on at least two different positions on the heart.

The present invention relates to an implantable heart help device for assisting the pump function of the heart by exerting an external force on the heart. The device is provided with a first fixating member adapted to be fixate the device to a part of the human body comprising bone, a heart pump device having a surface adapted to contact and exert an external force on the heart, a second fixating member in contact with the heart pump device. The second fixating member is displaceable in relation to the first fixating member for changing the position of the surface of the heart pump device, to allow the surface of the heart pump device to contact and exert the external force on at least two different positions on the heart.

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 heart pump construct is advanced into position in the pericardial area along the flexible guides. Once in position, the heart pump construct is activated while still engaged with the flexible guides. The flexible guides provide structural integrity to the heart pump construct needed in order for the heart pump construct to function properly. The forces supplied to the heart by the heart pump construct 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 heart pump construct 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 heart pump construct is advanced into position in the pericardial area along the flexible guides. Once in position, the heart pump construct is activated while still engaged with the flexible guides. The flexible guides provide structural integrity to the heart pump construct needed in order for the heart pump construct to function properly. The forces supplied to the heart by the heart pump construct 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 heart pump construct are customized to supply the forces needed by a particular heart in order to assist the heart in pumping more efficiently.

A fluid controlled system for a cardiac assist device and its method of operation. The cardiac assist device has a cup assembly with a receptacle area. The cup assembly has at least one inflatable membrane that expands into the receptacle area. A single pressure tube connects the cup assembly to a fluid pump. A valve assembly is incorporated into the cardiac assist device. The valve assembly includes at least one valve that controls fluid flow between the inflatable membranes and the pressure tube and/or fluid flow between the receptacle area and the pressure tube. The valve assembly controls fluid flow to advance the cup assembly onto the heart, to maintain the cup assembly in an operable position, to operate the cup assembly, and to remove the cup assembly.