Systems and methods and devices are provided for treating conditions such as heart failure and/or pulmonary hypertension by at least partially occluding flow through the superior vena cava for an interval spanning multiple cardiac cycles. A catheter with an occlusion device is provided along with a controller that actuates a drive mechanism to provide at least partial occlusion of the patient’s superior vena cava, which reduces cardiac filling pressures, and induces a favorable shift in the patient’s Frank-Starling curve towards healthy heart functionality and improved cardiac performance. The occlusion device may include a lumen obstructed by a relief valve that may permit fluid flow through the occlusion device to release an excessive build-up of pressure.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to devices, systems and methods adapted for implementing intermittent displacement of blood to mitigate peripheral nerve neuropathy such as that induced by chemotherapeutic agents (i.e., chemotherapy-induced neuropathy (CIN)) that are administered to a patient. Such devices, systems and methods advantageously provide for precise, uniform and controlled blood flow occluding (and optionally blood displacing) compression along irregular surfaces of an appendage of a patient. Such precise, uniform and controlled blood occluding compression is imparted upon the epidermal and dermis skin layers within the aforementioned areas of a patient’s extremities to decrease the time that free nerve endings located in the epidermal and encapsulated nerve endings located in the dermis skin layers are exposed to nerve damaging chemotherapy chemicals, thereby substantially decreasing CIN caused by prolonged exposure to such chemicals.

The present disclosure provides for specific shapes and combinations of the compression members amenable to the safest, yet most effective compression of the carotid and vertebral arteries aimed at prevention of embolic stroke. An associated method of achieving an optimal compression of said arteries for the purpose of stroke prevention is provided.

The invention includes a transradial introducer sheath support and integral hemostasis device. The device includes a wristband and an introducer sheath support mount attached to the wristband. The wristband is made from a flexible and resilient material that is applied to the distal forearm of the patient or other desired location on the patient. The support mount may be a molded unitary structure, such as made from a thermoplastic material, and is attached directly to the outer surface of the wristband. An inflatable hemostatic element is incorporated in the wristband and mounted to an interior surface of the wristband. The hemostatic element may be selectively inflated to apply pressure to a radial access point of the patient during and after removal of the transradial introducer sheath from the patient. Another embodiment provides a hemostatic element by a rotatable clasp of the sheath support mount.

A method and device for reducing the damaging effects of a blast or concussive event includes applying pressure to at least one jugular vein to reduce the egress of blood from the cranial cavity during the incidence of the concussive event. Reducing blood out flow from the cranial cavity increases intracranial pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid to reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury and injuries to the spinal column. Reducing blood out flow further increases the intracranial pressure, and thereby increases the pressure of the cochlear fluid, the vitreous humor and the cerebrospinal fluid to thereby reduce the risk of injury to the inner ear, internal structure of the eye and of the spinal column. In addition, increasing intracranial pressure reduces the likelihood of brain injury and any associated loss of olfactory function.

An apparatus and method for ischemic muscle training or recovery provides coordinated blood flow restriction and electrical muscle stimulation. The apparatus includes a blood flow occluding element for restricting blood flow to a target muscle or muscle group in a user, and measuring resting systolic blood pressure (SBP). The apparatus also includes an electrical muscle stimulator including at least one electrode and a control unit which, upon activation, sends low amplitude electric pulses through the target muscle or muscle group forcing the targeted muscle to contract while the blood flow is restricted.

An apparatus for controlling the movement of bile and/or gallstones in the biliary duct of a patient, that comprises an implantable constriction device for gently constricting (i.e. without substantially hampering the blood circulation in the tissue wall) at least one portion of the tissue wall to influence the movement of bile and/or gallstones in the biliary duct, and a stimulation device for stimulating the wall portion of the tissue wall. A control device controls the stimulation device to stimulate the wall portion, as the constriction device constricts the wall portion, to cause contraction of the wall portion constricted by the constriction device to further influence the movement of bile and/or gallstones in the biliary duct. The apparatus can be used for actively moving the gallstones in the lumen, with a low risk of injuring the biliary duct.

A method and device for reducing the damaging effects of a blast or concussive event includes applying pressure to at least one jugular vein to reduce the egress of blood from the cranial cavity during the incidence of the concussive event. Reducing blood out flow from the cranial cavity increases intracranial pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid to reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury and injuries to the spinal column. Reducing blood out flow further increases the intracranial pressure, and thereby increases the pressure of the cochlear fluid, the vitreous humor and the cerebrospinal fluid to thereby reduce the risk of injury to the inner ear, internal structure of the eye and of the spinal column. In addition, increasing intracranial pressure reduces the likelihood of brain injury and any associated loss of olfactory function.

Monitoring vital parameters of a wearer of a compression garment by analyzing a pressure signal waveform indicative of a fluid pressure in an inflatable and deflatable bladder of the compression garment. Analyzing the pressure signal waveform for an oscillating amplitude as a function of time and/or a representation of a pulse of the wearer provides an indication of blood pressure of the wearer.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to devices, systems and methods adapted for implementing intermittent displacement of blood to mitigate peripheral nerve neuropathy such as that induced by chemotherapeutic agents (i.e., chemotherapy-induced neuropathy (CIN)) that are administered to a patient. Such devices, systems and methods advantageously provide for precise, uniform and controlled blood flow occluding (and optionally blood displacing) compression along irregular surfaces of an appendage of a patient. Such precise, uniform and controlled blood occluding compression is imparted upon the epidermal and dermis skin layers within the aforementioned areas of a patient’s extremities to decrease the time that free nerve endings located in the epidermal and encapsulated nerve endings located in the dermis skin layers are exposed to nerve damaging chemotherapy chemicals, thereby substantially decreasing CIN caused by prolonged exposure to such chemicals.