An implantable heart help device adapted for implantation in a human patient is provided. The device comprising a fixating member adapted to fixate said device to a part of the human body comprising bone. Further a method of fixating an implantable heart help device in a human patient is provided. The method comprises the steps of: cutting the skin of said human patient, dissecting an area of the body comprising bone, and fixating said implantable heart help device to said part of the body comprising bone.

The present invention relates generally to the field of cardiac, vascular system, and heart assistance devices. It provides the energy required to keep the blood flowing in the pulmonary and systemic circuits to a desired level, acting on one or more chambers. Actual problems of Total Artificial Heart pumping blood are design limitations, infection, hemorrhage, end organ failure, thromboembolism, device dysfunction, life span of diaphragms, and impossibility to restore the heart but with a transplant. The device is external and has four units replicating the natural heart and its dynamics, driving by a pneumatic transcutaneous system to provide the energy needed up to the desired working level of a healthy organ. Applications are on those types of surgical or clinical treatment of patients with Diastolic Heart Failure or used to treat Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (Systolic Heart Failure), the device can be left connected permanently or for healing.

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 comprises at least one pump device comprising a heart contacting organ, an operating device for operating the heart contacting organ, and an implantable pressurized fluid system. The fluid system comprises a first implantable chamber adapted to hold a pressurized fluid, wherein said first chamber is adapted to hold a fluid having a high pressure and a second implantable chamber adapted to hold a pressurized fluid, wherein said second chamber is adapted to hold a fluid having a lower pressure. The movement of the heart contacting organ assists the pump function of the heart.

The present invention provides an implantable cardiac compression device comprising: an inflatable cardiac compression jacket configured when inflated to directly compress a heart and assist in displacing blood therefrom, a channel that connects the inflatable cardiac compression jacket and an expandable fluid reservoir configured to contain a fluid when displaced compresses the inflatable cardiac compression jacket, and a fluid driver operably connected to the inflatable cardiac compression jacket and to the expandable fluid reservoir, wherein the fluid driver is configured to inflate the cardiac compression jacket and to deflate the expandable fluid reservoir during systole of the heart; said driver is further configured to deflate the cardiac compression jacket and to inflate the expandable fluid reservoir during diastole of the heart.

A system and method for determining the proper dynamic strain profile of an elastomeric construct. The strain characteristics of a deficient heart are determined and compared to the normal strain characteristics of a healthy heart. A construct having elastomeric elements is provided that can expand along multiple axes. In an unloaded condition remote from the deficient heart, the elastomeric elements are pressurized to determine the pressure differential being experienced. Furthermore, optimal strain characteristics are calculated along a first axis and a second axis as a function of the pressure differential. The first optimal strain characteristic and the second optimal strain characteristic are used to estimate the dynamic strain characteristics that will be applied to the heart. The dynamic strain characteristics are compared to the optimal strain characteristics required by the heart to determine if the construct is proper using an automated drive.

A system and method for determining the proper dynamic strain profile of an elastomeric construct. The strain characteristics of a deficient heart are determined and compared to the normal strain characteristics of a healthy heart. A construct having elastomeric elements is provided that can expand along multiple axes. In an unloaded condition remote from the deficient heart, the elastomeric elements are pressurized to determine the pressure differential being experienced. Furthermore, optimal strain characteristics are calculated along a first axis and a second axis as a function of the pressure differential. The first optimal strain characteristic and the second optimal strain characteristic are used to estimate the dynamic strain characteristics that will be applied to the heart. The dynamic strain characteristics are compared to the optimal strain characteristics required by the heart to determine if the construct is proper using an automated drive.

A system and method of increasing the pumping efficiency of an individual's heart, wherein an actual pumping efficiency is compared to an optimal pumping efficiency to determine a force assist profile. A cardiac assist device is created that will apply the force assist profile to the heart. The cardiac assist device is surgically inserted in vivo to physically affect the heart. The cardiac assist device has an outer shell and at least one inflatable membrane that passes over the ventricles of the heart, wherein the inflatable membrane is inflated and deflated in accordance with a pressure profile provided by a pneumatic pump. The outer shell embodies outer shell strain characteristics. Each inflatable membrane embodies membrane strain characteristics. The force assist profile is a function of the outer shell strain characteristics, the membrane strain characteristics, and the pressure profile.

A system and method of increasing the pumping efficiency of an individual's heart, wherein an actual pumping efficiency is compared to an optimal pumping efficiency to determine a force assist profile. A cardiac assist device is created that will apply the force assist profile to the heart. The cardiac assist device is surgically inserted in vivo to physically affect the heart. The cardiac assist device has an outer shell and at least one inflatable membrane that passes over the ventricles of the heart, wherein the inflatable membrane is inflated and deflated in accordance with a pressure profile provided by a pneumatic pump. The outer shell embodies outer shell strain characteristics. Each inflatable membrane embodies membrane strain characteristics. The force assist profile is a function of the outer shell strain characteristics, the membrane strain characteristics, and the pressure profile.

Methods and devices that prevent stasis in the LAA by either increasing the flow through the LAA or by closing off or sealing the LAA. Increasing the flow is accomplished through shunts, flow diverters, agitators, or by increasing the size of the ostium. Closing off the LAA is accomplished using seals or by cinching the LAA.

A system and method for positioning a modular heart pump about the ventricles of the heart. The modular heart pump has at least one active panel and an apical base. Each active panel includes an inflatable membrane. The apical base helps retain the active panels on position about the heart. The components are assembled in vivo to create a pump assembly that encircles all or part of the heart. During installation, the active panels are advanced along the outside of the ventricles. Suction is provided on the leading edge of the active panels to remove any fluids and/or loose tissue that may prevent the active panel from advancing to an operable position.