The present disclosure relates to an implantable device for improving the pump function of the heart of a human patient by applying an external force on the heart muscle. The device is provided with a first part having a first surface comprising a ceramic material, and a second part having a second surface comprising a ceramic material.

The present invention relates to a heart pump apparatus comprising a turbine pump for assisting the heart of a human patient. The invention is based on the realization that a turbine without a centre axis would improve the capacity of the heart help pump apparatus. The present invention also relates to a turbine pump system for assisting the heart of a human patient. The present invention also relates to operation methods and methods for surgically placing a rotating body of a turbine pump and a stator of a turbine pump in a patient.

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 intravascular blood pump for percutaneous insertion comprises a catheter (10) and a pumping device (1) attached to the catheter (10). The catheter (10) extends along a longitudinal axis and has a distal end (11) and a proximal end (12) opposite the distal end (11). The catheter (10) comprises an elongate stiffening structure (15) extending continuously longitudinally along the length of the catheter (10) between the proximal end (11) and the distal end (12) of the catheter (10). The stiffening structure (15) may comprise a shape-memory material, such as Nitinol. It may be in the form of a wire that extends loosely through the lumen of the catheter and helps to avoid or significantly reduce kinks in the catheter.

The present invention relates to systems, methods and algorithms for determination of heart pump function and their use in livings subject are described. The invention further relates to complementary parts of such systems that work best in combination. Medical catheters, sheaths and shafts are disclosed that carry an arrangement of integrated digital sensor systems-on-chip (SoC) in the portion thereof residing inside the body. These devices combine at their portion that resides inside the body, the complete chain of signal transduction, signal analog-to-digital conversion and digital signal transmission, and allow to acquire single and multiple physical entities in a single setup. In specific instances the devices integrate wireless data transfer functionality, and in specific instances they integrate wireless energy harvesting for battery-free functionality. The present invention further describes complementary monitor systems that are suited for reception, processing and analysis of data acquired by such catheters/sheaths/shafts to yield a robust assessment of cardiac performance. Moreover, the present invention relates to innovations which render such systems applicable to patients with and without cardiac assist devices.

The present invention relates to systems, methods and algorithms for determination of heart pump function and their use in livings subject are described. The invention further relates to complementary parts of such systems that work best in combination. Medical catheters, sheaths and shafts are disclosed that carry an arrangement of integrated digital sensor systems-on-chip (SoC) in the portion thereof residing inside the body. These devices combine at their portion that resides inside the body, the complete chain of signal transduction, signal analog-to-digital conversion and digital signal transmission, and allow to acquire single and multiple physical entities in a single setup. In specific instances the devices integrate wireless data transfer functionality, and in specific instances they integrate wireless energy harvesting for battery-free functionality. The present invention further describes complementary monitor systems that are suited for reception, processing and analysis of data acquired by such catheters/sheaths/shafts to yield a robust assessment of cardiac performance. Moreover, the present invention relates to innovations which render such systems applicable to patients with and without cardiac assist devices.

An apparatus includes an expandable member, a blood pump, and a set of struts. The expandable member is configured to transition from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. The expandable member includes a set of flexible segments that form a tubular wall defining an interior volume. The flexible segments contact an inner surface of a blood vessel when the expandable member is in the expanded position. The expandable member includes a set of attachment portions. Each of the struts has a first end portion coupled to a housing of the blood pump. Each of the struts has a second end portion configured to be removably coupled to a corresponding attachment portion such that the blood pump can be removably coupled to the expandable member with at least a portion of the housing disposed within the interior volume of the expandable member.

An apparatus includes an expandable member, a blood pump, and a set of struts. The expandable member is configured to transition from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. The expandable member includes a set of flexible segments that form a tubular wall defining an interior volume. The flexible segments contact an inner surface of a blood vessel when the expandable member is in the expanded position. The expandable member includes a set of attachment portions. Each of the struts has a first end portion coupled to a housing of the blood pump. Each of the struts has a second end portion configured to be removably coupled to a corresponding attachment portion such that the blood pump can be removably coupled to the expandable member with at least a portion of the housing disposed within the interior volume of the expandable member.

An external controller assembly for a medical device implanted in a patient includes an external controller and an external driveline assembly. The external controller includes an external controller display viewable by the patient. The external driveline assembly includes an external driveline cable and an external driveline distal connector. The external driveline cable is connected to the external driveline distal connector and the external controller. The external driveline cable accommodates positioning of the external driveline distal connector, by the patient, for simultaneous viewing of the external driveline distal connector and the external controller display by the patient. The external driveline distal connector is adapted to be connected to the distal driveline proximal connector by the patient. The external driveline distal connector is adapted to be disconnected from the distal driveline proximal connector by the patient.

A cardiac assist device including a sleeve configured to externally wrap around a native, intact heart; a motor, and a drive shaft that connects the motor to the sleeve, wherein, actuation of the motor and the drive shaft provides a synchronized assisting force to a pumping force of the native, intact whole heart, thereby helping contraction and expansion of the heart located within an internal volume defined by the sleeve. Some embodiments relate to a system for synchronizing the cardiac assist device with a heart including the cardiac assist device; a power supply connected to the motor; and an electrical connector-relay configured to receive electrical signals from the pacemaker and to generate actuating signals that are relayed to the motor and the drive shaft, wherein, during operation of the system in a subject, the heart is assisted in contracting synchronously with the pacemaker signal rhythm.