An intra-aortic balloon pumping device and a method of assembling an intra-aortic balloon pumping device. The device includes a catheter with a separated first and second lumen for driving a first balloon with a relatively large outer diameter and a second balloon with a smaller outer diameter than the aorta when inflated, as well as a single driver unit that is coupled to the first and second lumen for pumping a driving gas into and out from each individual lumen to inflate and deflate the first and second balloons in sequence. The ratio of cross-sectional area of each lumen and the balloon volumes are dimensioned in such way that the sequence is optimized. In one form, the second lumen is a short aperture, located only between adjacent chambers that are formed by the first and second balloons.

The invention provides an introducer assembly for delivering a blood pump into vasculature of a subject, as well as a method for utilizing the assembly.

The disclosure relates to a method and system for processing a heart sensor output, wherein a blood flow and a simulated aortic blood pressure are derived from a sensed blood pressure using an arterial flow model and values for arterial flow parameters. The simulated aortic blood pressure is matched to a part of the sensed blood pressure in the cardiac cycle by manipulating at least one of the values for the arterial flow parameters of the arterial flow model.

Mechanical circulatory supports configured to operate in series with the native heart are disclosed. In an embodiment, an intravascular propeller is installed into the descending aorta and anchored within via an expandable anchoring mechanism. The propeller and anchoring mechanism may be foldable so as to be percutaneously deliverable to the aorta. The propeller may have foldable blades. The blades may be magnetic and may be driven by a concentric electromagnetic stator circumferentially outside the magnetic blades. The stator may be intravascular or may be configured to be installed around the outer circumference of the blood vessel. The support may create a pressure rise between about 20-50 mmHg, and maintain a flow rate of about 5 L/min. The support may have one or more pairs of contra-rotating propellers to modulate the tangential velocity of the blood flow. The support may have static pre-swirlers and or de-swirlers. The support may be optimized to replicate naturally occurring vortex formation within the descending aorta.

The devices and methods described herein include a body lumen fluid flow modulator including an upstream flow accelerator and a downstream flow decelerator. The fluid flow modulator preferably includes one or more openings that define a gap/entrainment region that provides a pathway through which additional fluid from a branch lumen(s) is entrained into the fluid stream flowing from the upstream flow accelerator to the downstream flow decelerator.

A cardiac support system (20) is equipped with a retaining structure (30) for the cardiac support system, said retaining structure (30) being intended to fix the cardiac support system in place. The cardiac support system comprises a device for monitoring the integrity of the retaining structure (30).

A cardiac support system (20) is equipped with a retaining structure (30) for the cardiac support system, said retaining structure (30) being intended to fix the cardiac support system in place. The cardiac support system comprises a device for monitoring the integrity of the retaining structure (30).

A medical device, such as an intra-aortic balloon pump or carrier with an extendable wheel track and handle configured to be removably carried and integrated with a cart. The wheel track is configured to extend upon extension of the handle and to return to its original position upon retraction of the handle.

A disclosed apparatus or method can include or use a non-transluminally implantable blood pump housing, which can be sized and shaped to be implanted at an aortic valve of a human subject, the pump housing can include: a pump housing cross-sectional profile size that is larger than is passable via a blood vessel of the human subject; and a power connection, configured for being electrically connected to an intravascular lead that is sized and shaped to extend from the pump housing through a subclavian artery of the human subject.

A hemodynamic flow assist device includes a miniature pump, a basket-like cage enclosing and supporting the pump, and a motor to drive the pump. The device is implanted and retrieved in a minimally invasive manner via percutaneous access to a patient's artery. The device has a first, collapsed configuration to assist in implantation and a second, expanded configuration once deployed and active. The device is deployed within a patient's aorta and is secured in place via a self-expanding cage which engages the inner wall of the aorta. The device includes a helical screw pump with self-expanding blades, sensors, and anchoring structures. Also disclosed is a retrieval device to remove the hemodynamic flow assist device once it is no longer needed by the patient and an arterial closure device to close the artery access point after implantation and removal of the hemodynamic flow assist device. The hemodynamic flow assist device helps to increase blood flow in patients suffering from congestive heart failure and awaiting heart transplant.