Systems and methods are provided for treating conditions such as heart failure and/or pulmonary hypertension by at least partially occluding flow through the superior vena cava for an interval spanning multiple cardiac cycles. A catheter with an occlusion device is provided along with a controller that actuates a drive mechanism to provide at least partial occlusion of the patient's superior vena cava, which reduces cardiac filling pressures, and induces a favorable shift in the patient's Frank-Starling curve towards healthy heart functionality and improved cardiac performance. The system may include sensors to determine the degree of occlusion of the superior vena cava. The occlusion system may be used to reduce volume in a heart and facilitate a cardiac procedure. The occlusion system may be used to relieve an overloaded chamber during and/or after deploying a VAD.

Systems and methods are provided for treating conditions such as heart failure and/or pulmonary hypertension by at least partially occluding flow through the superior vena cava for an interval spanning multiple cardiac cycles. A catheter with an occlusion device is provided along with a controller that actuates a drive mechanism to provide at least partial occlusion of the patient's superior vena cava, which reduces cardiac filling pressures, and induces a favorable shift in the patient's Frank-Starling curve towards healthy heart functionality and improved cardiac performance. The system may include sensors to determine the degree of occlusion of the superior vena cava. The occlusion system may be used to reduce volume in a heart and facilitate a cardiac procedure. The occlusion system may be used to relieve an overloaded chamber during and/or after deploying a VAD.

A device to reduce left ventricle afterload in a target blood vessel in a mammal includes a cushion configured for positioning within a lumen of the target blood vessel and receipt of a fluid and configured to contract during systole and expand during diastole, a reservoir having a cavity for receiving the fluid, and a conduit extending between and fluidically coupling the cushion and the reservoir, whereby during use fluid in the cushion is transferred to the reservoir during systole and returned to the cushion during diastole. The cushion has an annular cross section defining a central lumen for blood flow and is configured for positioning in the lumen of the target vessel abutting an inner wall of the target vessel, whereby during use blood flow is directed through the central lumen of the cushion.

A device to reduce left ventricle afterload in a target blood vessel in a mammal includes a cushion configured for positioning within a lumen of the target blood vessel and receipt of a fluid and configured to contract during systole and expand during diastole, a reservoir having a cavity for receiving the fluid, and a conduit extending between and fluidically coupling the cushion and the reservoir, whereby during use fluid in the cushion is transferred to the reservoir during systole and returned to the cushion during diastole. The cushion has an annular cross section defining a central lumen for blood flow and is configured for positioning in the lumen of the target vessel abutting an inner wall of the target vessel, whereby during use blood flow is directed through the central lumen of the cushion.

The cardiovascular device (1) comprises a diaphragm assembly designed to be inserted into a ventricular cavity (VS) substantially transverse in order to reduce its volume, said diaphragm assembly having a peripheral edge (2B) that can be sealingly engaged on the walls (5) of the cavity 7 and being alternately driven between an active blood thrust position and an inactive position, said assembly being at least partially deformable in response to contractions of the walls (5) and comprising a balloon-shaped elastic body (2; 100; 200; 300; 400) which has an external surface (2A; 103) that defines and encloses an internal cavity (CI; CI2) and which can be configured between a gathered position of minimum bulk, an everted position of maximum bulk and vice-versa, at least one mobile portion (3; 3′) of the peripheral surface which is disposed transverse/diagonal and which is surrounded by the peripheral edge and at least one aperture (3A) for access from the outside to the internal cavity (CI; CI2).

A catheter directionally conducts a pulsating body fluid and has a line segment defining an inner volume. A pump chamber section is arranged proximally as an extension of the line segment and defines a pump chamber having a frame therein accommodating a balloon. A first opening connects the inner volume to an external volume and a second opening is arranged proximally from the first opening to connect the inner volume to the external volume. A check valve is assigned to the second opening and the check valve includes a valve foil having an aperture formed therein offset from the second opening. A third opening communicates with the pump chamber. The frame is of a shape memory material which provides rigidity for a pulsatile operation of the balloon. During operation, the pulsating body fluid is conveyed in the inner volume directionally between the first and second opening by operating the balloon.

A catheter directionally conducts a pulsating body fluid and has a line segment defining an inner volume. A pump chamber section is arranged proximally as an extension of the line segment and defines a pump chamber having a frame therein accommodating a balloon. A first opening connects the inner volume to an external volume and a second opening is arranged proximally from the first opening to connect the inner volume to the external volume. A check valve is assigned to the second opening and the check valve includes a valve foil having an aperture formed therein offset from the second opening. A third opening communicates with the pump chamber. The frame is of a shape memory material which provides rigidity for a pulsatile operation of the balloon. During operation, the pulsating body fluid is conveyed in the inner volume directionally between the first and second opening by operating the balloon.

An apparatus for a heart of a patient having a cardiac assist device adapted to be implanted into the patient to assist the heart with pumping blood. The apparatus has a sensor adapted to be implanted into the patient. The sensor in communication with the cardiac assist device and the heart which measures native volume of the heart. The apparatus has a first cardiac assist device and a second cardiac assist device tuned to maximize blood flow to the body of the patient, while resting the heart so the heart may recover function. Alternatively, the sensor monitors the heart based on admittance while the cardiac assist device. Alternatively, the sensor monitors the heart based on impedance.

An apparatus for a heart of a patient having a cardiac assist device adapted to be implanted into the patient to assist the heart with pumping blood. The apparatus has a sensor adapted to be implanted into the patient. The sensor in communication with the cardiac assist device and the heart which measures native volume of the heart. The apparatus has a first cardiac assist device and a second cardiac assist device tuned to maximize blood flow to the body of the patient, while resting the heart so the heart may recover function. Alternatively, the sensor monitors the heart based on admittance while the cardiac assist device. Alternatively, the sensor monitors the heart based on impedance.

A circulatory assist apparatus comprising: an inflatable pumping balloon having a proximal end joined to an elongated balloon catheter, the balloon catheter having a distal end joined to the pumping balloon and a proximal end, separated from the distal end by a length sufficient to extend from within a circulatory lumen to the outside of a patient's body, for receiving positive and negative pressure pulses from a pump to inflate and deflate the pumping balloon; and a radially expandable frame, mounted on one of a segment extending distally from the pumping balloon, the balloon catheter, and a sleeve tube surrounding the balloon catheter. The expandable frame is manipulate to expand within the circulatory lumen, and functions to space apart the inflatable balloon from the circulatory lumen, having a first diameter in a collapsed configuration for intraluminal delivery and a second, larger diameter in an expanded configuration achieved by said manipulation.