A method of operating a counterpulsation device (CPD) in a human or animal subject is disclosed, the method including: receiving a heart beat signal indicative of the heart beat of the subject; providing counterpulsation therapy by controlling the pressure supplied to a CPD drive line in pneumatic communication with the CPD to cause the CPD to alternately fill with blood and eject blood with a timing that is determined at least in part based on the heart beat signal; while providing counterpulsation therapy, receiving a CPD drive line pressure signal indicative of the pressure in the CPD drive line; and adjusting the pressure supplied to the drive line based at least in part on the drive line pressure signal.

A mechanical kidney transplant may include four modules to interconnect and clean blood. Blood flowing through at least one of the modules flows through dialyzer fiber/tubes, while an area surrounding that fiber/tubes receives a flow of physiological resin gel of a design that will remove impurities from the blood. A subsystem of one or more sensors (a) detects and sets an alarm condition when the physiological resin gel is degraded and may need partial or full replacement, and/or (b) detects and sets an alarm condition if blood leakage has occurred within the module.

A mechanical kidney transplant may include four modules to interconnect and clean blood. Blood flowing through at least one of the modules flows through dialyzer fiber/tubes, while an area surrounding that fiber/tubes receives a flow of physiological resin gel of a design that will remove impurities from the blood. A subsystem of one or more sensors (a) detects and sets an alarm condition when the physiological resin gel is degraded and may need partial or full replacement, and/or (b) detects and sets an alarm condition if blood leakage has occurred within the module.

A method of operating a counterpulsation device (CPD) in a human or animal subject is disclosed, the method including: receiving a heart beat signal indicative of the heart beat of the subject; providing counterpulsation therapy by controlling the pressure supplied to a CPD drive line in pneumatic communication with the CPD to cause the CPD to alternately fill with blood and eject blood with a timing that is determined at least in part based on the heart beat signal; while providing counterpulsation therapy, receiving a CPD drive line pressure signal indicative of the pressure in the CPD drive line; and adjusting the pressure supplied to the drive line based at least in part on the drive line pressure signal.

The present invention relates to a transcatheter method for providing fluid communication between two anatomical compartments. The present invention also relates to a transcatheter system comprising an intracorporeal connector for fluid communication between two anatomical compartments through at least one anatomical wall, wherein said connector is adapted to receive a flow regulating device, a connector, a flow regulating device and an insertion device.

A system and method for increasing the speed of blood and the wall shear stress in a peripheral artery or peripheral vein to a sufficient level and for a sufficient period of time to result in a persistent increase in the overall diameter and lumen diameter of the artery or vein is provided. The method includes systems and methods to effect the movement of blood at the desired rate and in the desired direction. The movement of blood is monitored and adjusted, as necessary, to maintain the desired blood speed and wall shear stress in the peripheral artery or vein in order to optimize the rate and extent of persistent diameter increase of the peripheral artery or peripheral vein.

A percutaneous system, method and related devices are provided. More particularly, a percutaneous system comprises one or more of an intracorporeal connector for fluid communication between two anatomical compartments, through an anatomical wall, an intracorporeal device for regulating the flow of fluid between the two anatomical compartments, and a percutaneous insertion device.

An implantable pump includes a rigid housing with an oblate spheroid shape and having an inner chamber divided by a movable elastomeric membrane into a gas sub-chamber which is connectible through a drive line to an external pneumatic source, and a blood sub-chamber which is connectible through a graft assembly to an anatomical heart. The housing includes a blood port opening oriented at an angle and at the upper apex of the housing and connected to the blood sub-chamber, and a gas port opening to the gas sub-chamber that is situated at a lower apex of the housing. The pump is provided with a drive line that includes a gas conduit and a heart sensor, the drive line connectible to a drive system that is capable of delivering gas flow through the drive line gas conduit in response to signals driven by the heart sensor.

An implantable pump includes a rigid housing with an oblate spheroid shape and having an inner chamber divided by a movable elastomeric membrane into a gas sub-chamber which is connectible through a drive line to an external pneumatic source, and a blood sub-chamber which is connectible through a graft assembly to an anatomical heart. The housing includes a blood port opening oriented at an angle and at the upper apex of the housing and connected to the blood sub-chamber, and a gas port opening to the gas sub-chamber that is situated at a lower apex of the housing. The pump is provided with a drive line that includes a gas conduit and a heart sensor, the drive line connectible to a drive system that is capable of delivering gas flow through the drive line gas conduit in response to signals driven by the heart sensor.

A mechanical kidney transplant may include four modules to interconnect and clean blood. Blood flowing through at least one of the modules flows through dialyzer fiber/tubes, while an area surrounding that fiber/tubes receives a flow of physiological resin gel of a design that will remove impurities from the blood. A subsystem of one or more sensors (a) detects and sets an alarm condition when the physiological resin gel is degraded and may need partial or full replacement, and/or (b) detects and sets an alarm condition if blood leakage has occurred within the module.