A self-contained peristaltic pump includes a flexible flow conduit with a plurality of circumferential and/or longitudinal shapechange elements distributed longitudinally and/or transversely along the longitudinal axis of the flow conduit. The activations of the shapechange elements result in the positive displacement of fluid in the anterograde direction (i.e. from the anterior end of the pump to the posterior end).

The present invention is directed generally to a method and apparatus for human brain neuroprotection during surgery. The invention includes use of a heart-lung machine to generate periodic rectangular pulsation of blood flow. The invention uses a non-invasive CA monitor to continuously record transient functions such as dynamic autoregulation functions of a human brain cerebrovascular autoregulation system and process the data to generate an alarm to indicate CA impairment and take steps to minimize the CA impairment event.

A minimally invasive circulatory support platform that utilizes an aortic stent pump or pumps is described. The platform uses a low profile catheter-based techniques and provides temporary and chronic circulatory support depending on the needs of the patient. Also described is a catheter-based temporary assist pump to treat patients with acute decompensated heart failure and provide circulatory support to subjects undergoing high risk percutaneous coronary intervention. Further described is a wirelessly powered circulatory assist pump for providing chronic circulatory support for heart failure patients. The platform and system are relatively easy to place, have higher flow rates than existing systems, and provide improvements in the patient's renal function.

A minimally invasive circulatory support platform that utilizes an aortic stent pump or pumps is described. The platform uses a low profile catheter-based techniques and provides temporary and chronic circulatory support depending on the needs of the patient. Also described is a catheter-based temporary assist pump to treat patients with acute decompensated heart failure and provide circulatory support to subjects undergoing high risk percutaneous coronary intervention. Further described is a wirelessly powered circulatory assist pump for providing chronic circulatory support for heart failure patients. The platform and system are relatively easy to place, have higher flow rates than existing systems, and provide improvements in the patient's renal function.

The present invention provides a combined direct cardiac compression and aortic counterpulsation device comprising: an inflatable direct cardiac compression jacket configured when inflated to directly compress a heart and assist in displacing blood therefrom, an aortic counterpulsation chamber configured when inflated to displace aortic volume for the purposes of causing a counterpulsation effect, and a driver operably connected to said inflatable direct cardiac compression jacket and to said aortic counterpulsation chamber, said driver is configured to inflate said direct cardiac compression jacket and to deflate said aortic counterpulsation chamber during systole of the heart; said driver is further configured to deflate said direct cardiac compression jacket and to inflate said aortic counterpulsation chamber during diastole of the heart.

Mechanical circulatory supports configured to operate in series with the native heart are disclosed. In an embodiment, a centrifugal pump is used. In an embodiment, inlet and outlet ports are connected into the aorta and blood flow is diverted through a lumen and a centrifugal pump between the inlet and outlet ports. The supports may create a pressure rise between about 40-80 mmHg, and maintain a flow rate of about 5 L/min. The support may be configured to be inserted in a collinear manner with the descending aorta. The support may be optimized to replicate naturally occurring vortex formation within the aorta. Diffusers of different dimensions and configurations, such as helical configuration, and/or the orientation of installation may be used to optimize vortex formation. The support may use an impeller which is electromagnetically suspended, stabilized, and rotated to pump blood.

A device for reducing pressure within a lumen includes a reservoir structured for holding a fluid therein, an injection port in fluid communication with the reservoir, a compliant body structured to expand and contract upon changes in pressure, and a conduit extending between and fluidly coupling the reservoir and the compliant body. The fluid may be a compressible or a noncompressible fluid.

A method of detecting hypertension in a patient having an implantable blood pump, the method includes operating the implantable blood pump at a first pump set speed during a first period of time. A first flow rate minimum during a cardiac cycle of the patient is measured during the first period of time. The first pump set speed is reduced by at least 200 rpm during a second period of time after the first period of time to a second pump set speed, the second period of time being less than the first period of time. A second flow rate minimum is measured during a cardiac cycle during the second period of time. If the second flow rate minimum decreases during the second period of time at the second pump set speed by more than a predetermined amount, an alert is generated indicating a presence of hypertension.

A method of detecting hypertension in a patient having an implantable blood pump, the method includes operating the implantable blood pump at a first pump set speed during a first period of time. A first flow rate minimum during a cardiac cycle of the patient is measured during the first period of time. The first pump set speed is reduced by at least 200 rpm during a second period of time after the first period of time to a second pump set speed, the second period of time being less than the first period of time. A second flow rate minimum is measured during a cardiac cycle during the second period of time. If the second flow rate minimum decreases during the second period of time at the second pump set speed by more than a predetermined amount, an alert is generated indicating a presence of hypertension.

A method is provided of controlling a pump including a electrical motor coupled to a rotor which carries first and second impellers at opposite ends thereof. The method includes: (a) driving the rotor using the motor, so as to circulate fluid from the first impeller through a first fluid circuit, the second impeller, a second fluid circuit, and back to the first impeller; (b) determining a resistance of the first fluid circuit, based on a first motor parameter which is a function of electrical power delivered to the motor; (c) determining a flow rate through the first fluid circuit based on a second motor parameter which is a function of electrical power delivered to the motor; and (d) varying at least one operational parameter of the pump so as to maintain a predetermined relationship between the flow rate and the resistance of the first fluid circuit.