The present invention provides a direct cardiac compression device for individualized support at different locations around the heart, the device comprising: a housing shaped to conform to the shape of the heart and to surround the heart; two or more active chambers positioned adjacent to the housing, wherein the two or more active comprise one or more right active chambers positioned on the right ventricle side of the heart and one or more left active chambers positioned on the left ventricle side of the heart, wherein the two or more active chambers are designed to conform to the shape of the heart, each active chamber comprising an inner membrane sealingly attached along its periphery to the housing and an active fluid individually supplied thereto; a right input connection in fluid communication with the one or more right active chambers to ingress the active fluid into each of the one or more right active chambers; a left input connection in fluid communication with the one or more left active chambers to ingress the active fluid into each of the one or more left active chambers, and a driver in fluid communication with each of the right input connection and the left input connection to individually and periodically ingress and egress the active fluid therefrom, wherein the active fluid individually inflates the one or more right active chambers and the one or more left active chambers to compress the heart.

The present invention provides a direct cardiac compression device for individualized support at different locations around the heart, the device comprising: a housing shaped to conform to the shape of the heart and to surround the heart; two or more active chambers positioned adjacent to the housing, wherein the two or more active comprise one or more right active chambers positioned on the right ventricle side of the heart and one or more left active chambers positioned on the left ventricle side of the heart, wherein the two or more active chambers are designed to conform to the shape of the heart, each active chamber comprising an inner membrane sealingly attached along its periphery to the housing and an active fluid individually supplied thereto; a right input connection in fluid communication with the one or more right active chambers to ingress the active fluid into each of the one or more right active chambers; a left input connection in fluid communication with the one or more left active chambers to ingress the active fluid into each of the one or more left active chambers, and a driver in fluid communication with each of the right input connection and the left input connection to individually and periodically ingress and egress the active fluid therefrom, wherein the active fluid individually inflates the one or more right active chambers and the one or more left active chambers to compress the heart.

Systems and methods for generating blood flow with a pump incorporating linear bearing technology are provided. The pump may include an actuator assembly, a moving assembly, and a linear hydrodynamic or thin-film bearing positioned within a housing. The moving assembly may include at least one magnet and the actuator assembly may include a magnetic assembly for selectively generating a magnetic field to cause linear reciprocating movement of the moving assembly with respect to the actuator assembly. The linear hydrodynamic or thin-film bearing may include a bearing portion on the moving assembly that is in fluid communication with a bearing portion on the actuator assembly or pump housing. The system may involve an implantable pump, an extracorporeal battery and a controller coupled to the implantable pump. The implantable pump may be suitable for use as a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).

The invention relates to a blade-type check valve for gaseous and liquid media, to be used in medical technologies as well as in waste water technology with at least three triangular blades, grouped in round configuration at the edges of a polygonal bore of a valve ring or housing, with the number of blades corresponding to the number of faces of the bore. At least at one of the three sides, the valve blades feature an integrated joint, which may also consist of fabric, whereas the two other sides of the valve blades form an articulated lock. The valve can be installed in any position and closes automatically, actuated by the backflow respectively return flow of the medium, without external energy.

Methods for synchronizing the actions of a pulsatile cardiac assist device with a dysfunctional heart using a cardiac pacemaker. Aspects include receiving a signal from the pacemaker and actuating the pulsatile cardiac assist device in response to the signal from the pacemaker to either help push blood out of the heart during systole or to help suck blood from the atria during diastole.

The invention relates to a catheter device, having a catheter, an actuation device at a first end of the catheter and also a mechanical transmission element for transmitting a movement along the catheter to the actuation device, the actuation device having a coupling element which is connected to the transmission element and can be actuated by the latter relative to the longitudinal direction of the catheter in a first degree of freedom, and also a conversion element which can be actuated by the coupling element and which converts the actuation movement at least partially into a movement in a second degree of freedom. As a result, a combined movement at the distal end of the catheter can be produced particularly simply for compression and release of a functional element.

An intravascular device for pumping blood includes a catheter comprising a membrane chamber located between a proximal end and a distal end of the catheter. An inflatable membrane is disposed within the membrane chamber. The intravascular device includes a first one-way valve and optionally a second one-way valve configured to permit blood flow in a first direction. The first one-way valve may be positioned proximal to the membrane chamber, and the second one-way valve may be positioned distal to the membrane chamber. Methods related to intravascular devices and their respective use are provided.

An intravascular device for pumping blood includes a catheter comprising a membrane chamber located between a proximal end and a distal end of the catheter. An inflatable membrane is disposed within the membrane chamber. The intravascular device includes a first one-way valve and optionally a second one-way valve configured to permit blood flow in a first direction. The first one-way valve may be positioned proximal to the membrane chamber, and the second one-way valve may be positioned distal to the membrane chamber. Methods related to intravascular devices and their respective use are provided.

A device (2) for providing circulatory assistance is provided and comprises a balloon (4) comprising a membrane defining a cavity having an internal volume (Vc), wherein the balloon comprises a proximal portion (4a) comprising a proximal end and a distal portion (4b) comprising a distal end. The device (2) further comprises a first catheter, affixed to the distal end of the balloon (4) at a first fixation point (P1) and a second catheter (8), affixed to the proximal end of the balloon at a second fixation point (P2). The second catheter (8) is configured for axial movement with respect to the first catheter or guide wire (6) between a first position in which the first and second fixation points (P1, P2) are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction by a first distance (Dx), which is variable to bring about inversion of the balloon.

A device (2) for providing circulatory assistance is provided and comprises a balloon (4) comprising a membrane defining a cavity having an internal volume (Vc), wherein the balloon comprises a proximal portion (4a) comprising a proximal end and a distal portion (4b) comprising a distal end. The device (2) further comprises a first catheter, affixed to the distal end of the balloon (4) at a first fixation point (P1) and a second catheter (8), affixed to the proximal end of the balloon at a second fixation point (P2). The second catheter (8) is configured for axial movement with respect to the first catheter or guide wire (6) between a first position in which the first and second fixation points (P1, P2) are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction by a first distance (Dx), which is variable to bring about inversion of the balloon.