An example medical device is disclosed. The example medical device includes a tubular scaffold having an inner surface and an outer surface. The medical device also includes a flexible inner member extending along at least a portion of the inner surface of the scaffold. Further, the medical device includes an activation assembly positioned along a portion of the inner member, the activation assembly including a conductive member having a first end region and a second end region, wherein a portion of the first end region is coupled to an activation element, and wherein the second end region is coupled to a power source. Additionally, the power source is configured to deliver an electrical stimulus to the activation element which shifts the inner member between a first configuration and a second expanded configuration.

An implantable pump system is provided, suitable for use as a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) system, having an implantable pump, an extracorporeal battery and a controller coupled to the implantable pump, and a programmer selectively periodically coupled to the controller to configure and adjust operating parameters of the implantable pump. The implantable pump includes a flexible membrane coupled to an actuator assembly that is magnetically engagable with electromagnetic coils, so that when the electromagnetic coils are energized, the actuator assembly causes wavelike undulations to propagate along the flexible membrane to propel blood from through the implantable pump. The controller may be programmed by a programmer to operate at frequencies and duty cycles that mimic physiologic flow rates and pulsatility while operating in an efficient manner that avoids thrombus formation, hemolysis and/or platelet activation.

An implantable cardiovascular blood pump system is provided, suitable for use as a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) system, having an implantable cardiovascular pump, an extracorporeal battery and a controller coupled to the implantable pump, and a programmer selectively periodically coupled to the controller to configure and adjust operating parameters of the implantable cardiovascular pump. The implantable cardiovascular blood pump includes a coaxial inflow cannula and outflow cannula in fluid communication with one another and with a pumping mechanism. The pumping mechanism may be a vibrating membrane pump which may include a flexible membrane coupled to an electromagnetic actuator assembly that causes wavelike undulations to propagate along the flexible membrane to propel blood through the implantable cardiovascular pump. The implantable cardiovascular pump may be programmed to operate at frequencies and duty cycles that mimic physiologic flow rates and pulsatility while avoiding thrombus formation, hemolysis and/or platelet activation.

Cardiac chamber prosthesis configured to be implanted in a cardiac chamber (10; 20; 30; 40) comprising a native outlet valve (50; 60; 70; 80) and at least one inlet aperture (50; 70) selected from the group comprising a native inlet valve (50; 70) and one or more outlet mouths of venae cavae or pulmonary veins (120; 125; 130), wherein the cardiac chamber prosthesis comprises: an inner elastic membrane (250; 255; 260; 650; 750; 850), a reference support elastic membrane structure (200; 205, 225, 290A; 600; 700; 800) comprising or consisting of an outer elastic membrane (200; 205; 600; 700; 800) provided with a plurality of clips (210) configured to grip an inner wall (45) of the cardiac chamber (10; 20; 30; 40), wherein the elastic inner and outer membranes (250, 200; 255, 205; 260, 200; 650, 600; 750, 700; 850, 800) form an outlet border (285; 675; 785; 885) configured to surround and be sutured on the native outlet valve (50; 60; 70; 80) and at least one inlet border (275; 685; 775; 875A, 875B) configured to surround and be sutured on said at least one inlet aperture (50; 70), wherein the inner elastic membrane (250; 255; 260; 650; 750; 850) and the reference support elastic membrane structure (200; 205, 225, 290A; 600; 700; 800) are connected to each other by means of a plurality of primary variable connection elements (290; 290B), whereby the inner elastic membrane (250; 255; 260; 650; 750; 850) and the reference support elastic membrane structure (200; 205, 225, 290A; 600; 700; 800) delimit a primary interspace (230; 230B; 630; 730; 830) between them that is configured to receive a fluid with varying amount and/or pressure so as to dynamically modify a volume of the primary interspace (230; 2303; 630; 730; 830) and said elastically variable volume delimited by the inner surface (254; 654; 754; 854) of the inner elastic membrane (250; 255; 260; 650; 750; 850).

A diaphragm assembly for a pulsatile fluid pump includes an edge-mounted flexible diaphragm, the diaphragm configured for operation cyclically between a diastole mode and a systole mode. The diaphragm assembly further includes a systolic distribution brace having an interior wall configured to cup a portion of the outside surface of the diaphragm, and a diastolic plate, embedded in the diaphragm, mechanically coupled to a portion of the inside surface of the diaphragm. In the course of the systole mode, force is applied across the maximum radial extent of the systolic distribution brace, so as to impart tension in the diaphragm around the periphery of the systolic distribution brace. In the course of the diastole mode, force is applied across the maximum radial extent of the diastolic plate, so as to impart tension in the diaphragm around the diastolic plate.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to a method of fabricating an artificial heart muscle (AHM) patch. In some embodiments, the method includes obtaining and/or isolating cells from a subject. In some embodiments, the cells are primary cardiac cells. In some embodiments, the method further includes forming a scaffold. In some embodiments, the method includes seeding the cells in the fibrin gel scaffold. In some embodiments, the method includes culturing the cells seeded in the fibrin gel scaffold under conditions appropriate for the formation of an artificial heart muscle (AHM) patch. In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to a method of fabricating a bioartificial heart (BAH). In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to a method of treatment of cardiac tissue injury in a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the method includes implanting the aforementioned artificial heart muscle patch in the injured area of the subject. In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of treating end stage cardiac disease in a subject in need thereof.

Ventricular assist devices configured to be placed in a ventricle of a heart are described. In one embodiment, a ventricular assist device may include a pumping pouch. The pumping pouch may have an opening. The pumping pouch may be flexible, and may define an internal volume configured to fill with blood in through the opening. The ventricular assist device may also include a contraction element coupled to the contraction pouch. The contraction element may be capable of squeezing at least a portion of the pumping pouch to force at least a portion of the blood out through the opening. The ventricular assist device may also include a frame coupled to the pumping pouch. The frame may be configured to be coupled to a wall of the heart.

An implantable cardiovascular blood pump system is provided, suitable for use as a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) system, having an implantable cardiovascular pump, an extracorporeal battery and a controller coupled to the implantable pump, and a programmer selectively periodically coupled to the controller to configure and adjust operating parameters of the implantable cardiovascular pump. The implantable cardiovascular blood pump includes a coaxial inflow cannula and outflow cannula in fluid communication with one another and with a pumping mechanism. The pumping mechanism may be a vibrating membrane pump which may include a flexible membrane coupled to an electromagnetic actuator assembly that causes wavelike undulations to propagate along the flexible membrane to propel blood through the implantable cardiovascular pump. The implantable cardiovascular pump may be programmed to operate at frequencies and duty cycles that mimic physiologic flow rates and pulsatility while avoiding thrombus formation, hemolysis and/or platelet activation.

Systems and methods for generating blood flow with a pump incorporating linear bearing technology are provided. The pump may include an actuator assembly, a moving assembly, and a linear hydrodynamic or thin-film bearing positioned within a housing. The moving assembly may include at least one magnet and the actuator assembly may include a magnetic assembly for selectively generating a magnetic field to cause linear reciprocating movement of the moving assembly with respect to the actuator assembly. The linear hydrodynamic or thin-film bearing may include a bearing portion on the moving assembly that is in fluid communication with a bearing portion on the actuator assembly or pump housing. The system may involve an implantable pump, an extracorporeal battery and a controller coupled to the implantable pump. The implantable pump may be suitable for use as a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).

The invention relates to a blade-type check valve for gaseous and liquid media, to be used in medical technologies as well as in waste water technology with at least three triangular blades, grouped in round configuration at the edges of a polygonal bore of a valve ring or housing, with the number of blades corresponding to the number of faces of the bore. At least at one of the three sides, the valve blades feature an integrated joint, which may also consist of fabric, whereas the two other sides of the valve blades form an articulated lock. The valve can be installed in any position and closes automatically, actuated by the backflow respectively return flow of the medium, without external energy.