A minimally invasive VAD installation system includes a curved hook having another hook at its distal end. The installation system also has a valve insertion tool having a gimbaled set of clamp jaws configured for releasably holding the inflow tube of a VAD pump. The installation system further has a pushing tool having a distal opening configured to pass over a tube.

The invention relates to an apparatus for carrying out an extracorporeal blood treatment in which a substitution fluid is administered to the patient, wherein the apparatus comprises an extracorporeal blood circuit and a substitution line opening into the extracorporeal blood circuit, wherein the substitution line has at least one heating container, and wherein a pump is arranged in the substitution line downstream of the heating container or containers for the conveying of substitution fluid into the extracorporeal blood circuit.

The invention relates to an apparatus for carrying out an extracorporeal blood treatment in which a substitution fluid is administered to the patient, wherein the apparatus comprises an extracorporeal blood circuit and a substitution line opening into the extracorporeal blood circuit, wherein the substitution line has at least one heating container, and wherein a pump is arranged in the substitution line downstream of the heating container or containers for the conveying of substitution fluid into the extracorporeal blood circuit.

Dialysis systems are disclosed comprising new fluid flow circuits. Systems may include blood and dialysate flow paths, where the dialysate flow path includes balancing, mixing, and/or directing circuits. Dialysate preparation may be decoupled from patient dialysis. Circuits may be defined within one or more cassettes. The fluid circuit fluid flow paths may be isolated from electrical components. A gas supply in fluid communication with the dialysate flow path and/or the dialyzer able to urge dialysate through the dialyzer and urge blood back to the patient may be included for certain emergency situations. Fluid handling devices, such as pumps, valves, and mixers that to can be actuated using a control fluid may be included. Control fluid may be delivered by an external pump or other device, which may be detachable and/or generally rigid, optionally with a diaphragm dividing the device into first and second compartments.

Circulatory assistance device for a heart of a living being, including a cuff for periodically applying pressure to the heart by at least one dielectric elastomer membrane which is controllable by a control device in synchronization with a cardiac beat in order to convey blood in pulses, wherein the cuff is designed to be pulled over the outside of the heart and for this purpose has an inner shape that is adapted to the outer contour of the heart at least in the region outside the ventricles, wherein the cuff is composed of an outer contraction layer including the dielectric elastomer membrane and an inner padding layer, and the inner padding layer is filled with an incompressible liquid and has at least one outlet valve, which is closed in a normal state and opened in an emergency state.

The present invention relates to a perfusion balloon catheter that has an expandable (enlargeable) inner lumen with a novel design feature that allows a continuous flow through this enlarged lumen sufficient perfusion to the distal lumen of the blood vessel or air passage concurrent to and independently of balloon inflation or deflation resulting in the prolonged dilatation and avoiding the high risks of blood or air flow stricture during balloon inflation.

The invention relates to a catheter device (100) comprising a catheter (68) for insertion into a living being and at least one lumen (69, 70, 74, 79) for guiding a fluid flow within a section of the catheter device, and comprising a valve for controlling a fluid flow, in particular through a catheter, having a valve control chamber (12, 12a), into which an inlet opening (1a) of an inlet channel (1) and an outlet opening (2a) of an outlet channel (2) open, and further having a closure element (5, 13, 17) which can be moved in the valve control chamber (12, 12a) in a controlled manner and which, in at least a first position (I), closes the outlet opening (2a), in at least a second position (II) closes the inlet opening (1a), and which, in at least a third position (III), keeps open a connecting channel between the inlet opening (1a) and the outlet opening (2a), a valve train (A, A′, B, B′, 3, 14, 18) being provided and optionally moving the closure element (5, 13, 17) to at least the first, second or third position, and the at least one lumen (68, 70, 74, 79) being fluidically connected to the inlet channel or the outlet channel.

The invention relates to a catheter device (100) comprising a catheter (68) for insertion into a living being and at least one lumen (69, 70, 74, 79) for guiding a fluid flow within a section of the catheter device, and comprising a valve for controlling a fluid flow, in particular through a catheter, having a valve control chamber (12, 12a), into which an inlet opening (1a) of an inlet channel (1) and an outlet opening (2a) of an outlet channel (2) open, and further having a closure element (5, 13, 17) which can be moved in the valve control chamber (12, 12a) in a controlled manner and which, in at least a first position (I), closes the outlet opening (2a), in at least a second position (II) closes the inlet opening (1a), and which, in at least a third position (III), keeps open a connecting channel between the inlet opening (1a) and the outlet opening (2a), a valve train (A, A′, B, B′, 3, 14, 18) being provided and optionally moving the closure element (5, 13, 17) to at least the first, second or third position, and the at least one lumen (68, 70, 74, 79) being fluidically connected to the inlet channel or the outlet channel.

A pumping cassette including a housing having at least two inlet fluid lines and at least two outlet fluid lines. At least one balancing pod within the housing and in fluid connection with the fluid paths. The balancing pod balances the flow of a first fluid and the flow of a second fluid such that the volume of the first fluid equals the volume of the second fluid. The balancing pod also includes a membrane that forms two balancing chambers. Also included in the cassette is at least two reciprocating pressure displacement membrane pumps. The pumps are within the housing and they pump the fluid from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet line and pump the second fluid from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet.

Dialysis systems are disclosed comprising new fluid flow circuits. Systems may include blood and dialysate flow paths, where the dialysate flow path includes balancing, mixing, and/or directing circuits. Dialysate preparation may be decoupled from patient dialysis. Circuits may be defined within one or more cassettes. The fluid circuit fluid flow paths may be isolated from electrical components. A gas supply in fluid communication with the dialysate flow path and/or the dialyzer able to urge dialysate through the dialyzer and urge blood back to the patient may be included for certain emergency situations. Fluid handling devices, such as pumps, valves, and mixers that can be actuated using a control fluid may be included. Control fluid may be delivered by an external pump or other device, which may be detachable and/or generally rigid, optionally with a diaphragm dividing the device into first and second compartments.