The circulation assist devices disclosed herein can be used, for example, in methods of decreasing venous pressure in the Fontan circulation. The devices can include an inlet, an outlet, a stator, a rotor, and an impeller driven by rotation of the rotor. In some embodiments, the impeller blade (or blades) can at least partially define a central lumen extending through the device. The device can be coupled to the inferior vena cava and the pulmonary artery. Rotating the impeller blade(s) increases blood velocity through the lumen and causes the outlet pressure to be higher than the inlet pressure. The impeller can be configured such that, when it is stationary, the forward static pressure drop between the inlet and the outlet is minimized. That is, the forward static pressure drop of the device approximates the pressure drop between the inferior vena cava and central pulmonary artery of the unassisted Fontan circulation.

The circulation assist devices disclosed herein can be used, for example, in methods of decreasing venous pressure in the Fontan circulation. The devices can include an inlet, an outlet, a stator, a rotor, and an impeller driven by rotation of the rotor. In some embodiments, the impeller blade (or blades) can at least partially define a central lumen extending through the device. The device can be coupled to the inferior vena cava and the pulmonary artery. Rotating the impeller blade(s) increases blood velocity through the lumen and causes the outlet pressure to be higher than the inlet pressure. The impeller can be configured such that, when it is stationary, the forward static pressure drop between the inlet and the outlet is minimized. That is, the forward static pressure drop of the device approximates the pressure drop between the inferior vena cava and central pulmonary artery of the unassisted Fontan circulation.

An implantable medical device for transcatheter delivery, which includes an anchor unit (100) configured to be anchored at an annulus of a cardiac valve of a patient, at least one coupling unit (200) that extends along a first length radially from said anchor unit (100) towards a coaptation line of said valve and including an extension unit (400) extending along a second length. The extension unit (400) is configured to cross between the leaflets of the cardiac valve in order to fill out for an insufficient closing of the valve leaflets of said cardiac valve.

An implantable medical device for transcatheter delivery, which includes an anchor unit (100) configured to be anchored at an annulus of a cardiac valve of a patient, at least one coupling unit (200) that extends along a first length radially from said anchor unit (100) towards a coaptation line of said valve and including an extension unit (400) extending along a second length. The extension unit (400) is configured to cross between the leaflets of the cardiac valve in order to fill out for an insufficient closing of the valve leaflets of said cardiac valve.

A pump system is provided comprising a diaphragm fluid pump which can be fluidically connected to a heart and/or at least one blood vessel by means of an inlet cannula and an outlet cannula and is adapted for generating a pulsatile fluid flow for supporting a cardiac activity of the heart, a working pressure source connected to the diaphragm fluid pump by means of a pressure line and adapted for providing a working pressure for driving the diaphragm fluid pump, a control unit adapted for controlling the working pressure, a first flow sensor adapted for detecting a first cannula flow signal corresponding to an inlet flow in the inlet cannula or an outlet flow in the outlet cannula, a working pressure sensor adapted for detecting a working pressure signal corresponding to the working pressure in the pressure line.

Methods and devices for a self-contained device including a hydraulic motor and a hydraulic pump. Preferably, the motor is incorporated either within the interior of the pump, on the exterior of the pump, or a combination of the two. The pump increases the kinetic energy of the fluid by centrifugal means, and in some embodiments is a viscous impeller pump. Applications include building flow systems, industrial processes, and biological circulatory systems.

Methods and devices for a self-contained device including a hydraulic motor and a hydraulic pump. Preferably, the motor is incorporated either within the interior of the pump, on the exterior of the pump, or a combination of the two. The pump increases the kinetic energy of the fluid by centrifugal means, and in some embodiments is a viscous impeller pump. Applications include building flow systems, industrial processes, and biological circulatory systems.

Apparatus and methods are described including a left-ventricular assist device (20) that includes a pump-outlet tube (28). A mixed-flow impeller (100) is configured to pump blood from a subjects left ventricle to the subjects aorta, by pumping the blood into the pump-outlet tube (28) via one or more blood inlet openings (108) disposed within the left ventricle, and by pumping blood out of the pump-outlet tube (28) via one or more blood outlet openings (30) disposed within the aorta. The mixed-flow impeller (100) includes an expandable portion (116) disposed along its axis and shaped such that a diameter of the expandable portion increases from a distal end of the expandable portion to its proximal end. The mixed-flow impeller (100) is configured to impart radial flow components to blood as the blood flows from its distal end to its proximal end. Other applications are also described.

An implantable medical device for transcatheter delivery, which includes an anchor unit (100) configured to be anchored at an annulus of a cardiac valve of a patient, at least one coupling unit (200) that extends along a first length radially from said anchor unit (100) towards a coaptation line of said valve and including an extension unit (400) extending along a second length. The extension unit (400) is configured to cross between the leaflets of the cardiac valve in order to fill out for an insufficient closing of the valve leaflets of said cardiac valve.

A method, device, or system for treating eye disorders or conditions, comprising restoring or increasing blood flow or blood flow rate in an artery that supplies blood to or in the eye, thereby increasing the amount of nutrient(s) that reaches the eye or a portion thereof. The invention also includes methods, devices, or systems for treating eye disorders or conditions which use reverse flow or retrograde flow structures and systems during the treatment of the eye disease.