Described is a cannula (110, O1 to O3, I1 to I3) comprising: —a lumen portion (LP) that extends axially between a proximal part of the cannula (110, O1 to O3, I1 to I3) and at least one distal part of the cannula (110, O1 to O3, I1 to I3), and —an expandable arrangement (114) at the at least one distal part of the lumen portion, wherein the expandable arrangement (114) is adapted to have an expanded state and a non-expanded state, wherein in the expanded state a volume defined by the expandable arrangement (114) is greater than the volume defined by the expandable arrangement (114) in the non-expanded state.

An invention directed to an implant device having a biointerface. The implant device comprises a cavity and a structure enabling a flow path between the cavity and an environment of the implant device. An actuatable membrane is interposed in the flow path. The device includes a power-generating unit and a control unit, where the latter is connected to the power-generating unit. An electromechanical is connected to both the control unit and the power-generating unit. The electromechanical system includes at least one actuator configured to mechanically contact the membrane. This actuator is permanently attached to the membrane. The control unit and the electromechanical system are jointly configured to cause the electromechanical system to controllably actuate the membrane via at least one actuator to control a transfer of substances between the cavity and the environment through the flow path. The invention is further directed to related operation and fabrication methods.

An invention directed to an implant device having a biointerface. The implant device comprises a cavity and a structure enabling a flow path between the cavity and an environment of the implant device. An actuatable membrane is interposed in the flow path. The device includes a power-generating unit and a control unit, where the latter is connected to the power-generating unit. An electromechanical is connected to both the control unit and the power-generating unit. The electromechanical system includes at least one actuator configured to mechanically contact the membrane. This actuator is permanently attached to the membrane. The control unit and the electromechanical system are jointly configured to cause the electromechanical system to controllably actuate the membrane via at least one actuator to control a transfer of substances between the cavity and the environment through the flow path. The invention is further directed to related operation and fabrication methods.

An improved valve leak detection system. The improved valve leak detection system comprises a membrane pump defining a flow path arranged to be opened and closed by at least one valve, a measuring device, a comparator, and a signal generator. The measuring device is configured to determine a conductivity value between two points on the flow path of the membrane pump, one point arranged upstream of the at least one valve and the other point arranged downstream of the at least one valve. The measuring device measures the conductivity value when the at least one valve is closed. The comparator is configured to continuously monitor the conductivity value. The signal generator is arranged to provide an output signal when the conductivity value is indicative of a valve leak condition for a set number of measurements within a set period of time.

An improved valve leak detection system. The improved valve leak detection system comprises a membrane pump defining a flow path arranged to be opened and closed by at least one valve, a measuring device, a comparator, and a signal generator. The measuring device is configured to determine a conductivity value between two points on the flow path of the membrane pump, one point arranged upstream of the at least one valve and the other point arranged downstream of the at least one valve. The measuring device measures the conductivity value when the at least one valve is closed. The comparator is configured to continuously monitor the conductivity value. The signal generator is arranged to provide an output signal when the conductivity value is indicative of a valve leak condition for a set number of measurements within a set period of time.

An implantable pump system is provided, including an implantable blood pump suitable for use as a partial support assist device, the system further including 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 electromagnetic actuator including a magnetic assembly and electromagnetic assembly, so that when the electromagnetic assembly is energized, the electromagnetic assembly causes wavelike undulations to propagate along the flexible membrane to propel blood 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 pump system is provided, including an implantable blood pump suitable for use as a partial support assist device, the system further including 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 electromagnetic actuator including a magnetic assembly and electromagnetic assembly, so that when the electromagnetic assembly is energized, the electromagnetic assembly causes wavelike undulations to propagate along the flexible membrane to propel blood 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.

Integral artificial heart device capable of storing venous blood in dynamic atria, without interrupting the continuous return of the blood. The device comprises a right ventricle (A1) and left ventricle (A2) pulsing simultaneously, and the reactive right atrium (C1) and left atrium (not illustrated) thereof, immersed in a pneumatic spec (D) having a variable vacuum D, which is driven by a solenoid (35), acting sequentially, by repulsion, on the permanent magnet discs (20, 21) included in the elastic ventricular membranes (18, 19), which beat simultaneously in the ventricular spaces (A1) and (A2), and, in the opposite direction, in pneumatic space (D) which houses elastic tubes acting as atria. The device simultaneously ejects systolic volumes, and accepts the proportion of continuously returning venous blood to store in the atria, during the systole, such that said continuous return is not interrupted by sequential systolic closure of the intake ports.

Devices and methods for providing localized pressure to a region of a patient's heart to improve heart functioning, including: (a) a jacket made of a flexible biocompatible material, the jacket having an open top end that is received around the heart and a bottom portion that is received around the apex of the heart; and (b) at least one inflatable bladder disposed on an interior surface of the jacket, the inflatable bladder having an inelastic outer surface positioned adjacent to the jacket and an elastic inner surface such that inflation of the bladder causes the bladder to deform substantially inwardly to exert localized pressure against a region of the heart.

Devices and methods for providing localized pressure to a region of a patient's heart to improve heart functioning, including: (a) a jacket made of a flexible biocompatible material, the jacket having an open top end that is received around the heart and a bottom portion that is received around the apex of the heart; and (b) at least one inflatable bladder disposed on an interior surface of the jacket, the inflatable bladder having an inelastic outer surface positioned adjacent to the jacket and an elastic inner surface such that inflation of the bladder causes the bladder to deform substantially inwardly to exert localized pressure against a region of the heart.