A diaphragm assembly for a pulsatile fluid pump includes an edge-mounted flexible diaphragm, the diaphragm configured for operation cyclically between a diastole mode and a systole mode. The diaphragm assembly further includes a systolic distribution brace having an interior wall configured to cup a portion of the outside surface of the diaphragm, and a diastolic plate, embedded in the diaphragm, mechanically coupled to a portion of the inside surface of the diaphragm. In the course of the systole mode, force is applied across the maximum radial extent of the systolic distribution brace, so as to impart tension in the diaphragm around the periphery of the systolic distribution brace. In the course of the diastole mode, force is applied across the maximum radial extent of the diastolic plate, so as to impart tension in the diaphragm around the diastolic plate.

The present invention generally relates to hemodialysis and similar dialysis systems, including a variety of systems and methods that would make hemodialysis more efficient, easier, and/or more affordable. One aspect of the invention is generally directed to new fluid circuits for fluid flow. According to one aspect, a blood pump is configured to pump blood to a dialyzer of a hemodialysis apparatus, the blood pump comprising a pneumatically actuated or controlled reciprocating diaphragm pump. In an embodiment, the diaphragm of the pump comprises a flexible membrane formed or molded to generally conform to a curved inner wall of a pumping chamber or control chamber of the pump, wherein the diaphragm is pre-formed or molded to have a control side taking a convex shape, so that any elastic tension on the diaphragm is minimized when fully extended into a control chamber of the pump. In another aspect, a system for monitoring the adequacy of blood flow in a blood line of the hemodialysis apparatus allows a controller to suspend dialysate pumping operations if the adequacy of blood flow in the blood line is sub-optimal, and to present information on a display on the quality of blood flow in the blood line.

A artificial ventricle comprises an inlet for receiving blood, an outlet for discharging blood, and a chamber disposed between the inlet and the outlet. There is also a mechanism for actuating the artificial ventricle between an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration. In the expanded configuration, blood flows into the inlet. In the contracted configuration, blood flows out of the outlet. There may be a one-way valve at the outlet for preventing blood flow back into the chamber. The one-way valve may be a diaphragm valve. The chamber may have a resilient outer wall. The chamber may have an ovoid shape.

A method may be provided for the operation of a pump device, which comprises at least one pump as well as a suction element which is connected to the at least one pump and which has a suction opening positioned in a cavity of a body of a patient that sucks a fluid by way of producing a reduced pressure in the suction element, wherein an acceleration is measured and monitored during the operation of the pump device, wherein the reduced pressure in the suction element is reduced at least for a limited reaction time period, given the occurrence of an acceleration variable which lies above a fixed threshold valve. A correspondingly configured pump device may be provided.

A blood pump housing device designed to enclose and protect a total artificial heart when implanted in a subject is disclosed. The blood pump housing device comprises a first and second artificial heart pump receiving part (3a, 3b) configured to receive and partly enclose a first and a second artificial heart pump (20a, 20b) of a total artificial heart (TAH); and a first and second pump actuation enclosing part (4a, 4b) configured to partly enclose a first and second pump actuation means (60a, 60b), said artificial heart pump receiving parts (3a, 3b) and pump actuation means enclosing parts (4a, 4b) are arranged to connect to each other in a leak-free manner.

A blood pump housing device designed to enclose and protect a total artificial heart when implanted in a subject is disclosed. The blood pump housing device comprises a first and second artificial heart pump receiving part (3a, 3b) configured to receive and partly enclose a first and a second artificial heart pump (20a, 20b) of a total artificial heart (TAH); and a first and second pump actuation enclosing part (4a, 4b) configured to partly enclose a first and second pump actuation means (60a, 60b), said artificial heart pump receiving parts (3a, 3b) and pump actuation means enclosing parts (4a, 4b) are arranged to connect to each other in a leak-free manner.

A prosthetic heart valve either of the mechanical type or the bio prosthetic type, comprises a tubular or cylindrical frame element, a plurality of injectors, a suturing member surrounding the tubular or cylindrical frame element, tether lines to secure the device during diastolic filling but more predominantly during systolic contraction that creates a vortex effect with externally supplied pressurized fluid injected angularly within a transport structure is provided. Such a unit is utilized to accelerate the hemodynamics, reduce the energy required for said transport or both. The annular frame is designed to allow a passageway for blood flow and regulating flow during systolic contraction. Such a result is achieved through the introduction of pressurized fluid (blood) via a plurality of injectors situated evenly around the circumference of the subject tubular or cylindrical unit, and angled uniformly for an even pressure injection of fluid within the conveyance component thereof.

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 disfunction, 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 of for healing.

Apparatus and methods are described including a left-ventricular assist device that includes a tube configured to traverse a subject's aortic valve, with a distal portion of the tube disposed within the subject's left ventricle. A frame is disposed within the distal portion of the tube. A pump disposed within the frame pumps blood through the tube. A distal-tip element defines a straight proximal portion that defines a longitudinal axis, and a curved distal portion that is shaped such as to curve in a first direction with respect to the longitudinal axis before passing through an inflection point and curving in a second direction with respect to the longitudinal axis, such that the curved distal portion defines a bulge on one side of the longitudinal axis. Other applications are also described.

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.