A system for improving heart muscle response during a pre-ejection phase in the heart muscle pumping cycle requires a catheter having a pressure transducer and a fluid device mounted at its distal end. Also included is a pump connected to the proximal end of the catheter in fluid communication with the fluid device. A computer will activate the pump in response to a predetermined signal from the pressure transducer to inject and maintain an increased fluid volume in the pumping chamber of the heart for a predetermined time interval Δt during the pre-ejection phase. This supplements the isometric pressure in the heart's pumping chamber in preparation for a subsequent ejection of blood from the pumping chamber.

A pumping system (200) for controlling the flow of interatrial blood comprises, housed inside a container (201), a control element (30, 30′, 30″) of the interatrial blood flow. The control element comprises: at least one worm screw (31), the rotation of which creates a two-way flow of interatrial blood; or a pair of counter-rotating propellers (31′); or a pair of membranes (31″) whose deformation creates a two-way flow of interatrial blood; or a flexible structure (31″) whose change in volume within the container (201) creates a two-way flow of interatrial blood.

A cardiac assist device (1) with a cup element (2), an inner balloon element (5) and a tube element (6). The cup element (2) has a cup wall (2a), one or more in-flow openings (3), and an outflow element (4 having an aperture (4a). The inner balloon element (5) is positioned inside the cup element (2) free from the outflow element (4). The tube element (6) is arranged for inflating and deflating the inner balloon element (5) during operation. During operation in a pumping operational mode, the combination of first material, dimensions of the cup wall (2a), and dimensions of the outflow element (4) provides a containment force by the cup element (2) counteracting an outward directed force of the inner balloon element (5).

A heart pump and a method for operating a VAD (ventricular assist device) heart pump, in which method a time-dependent pressure of the blood to be delivered is measured directly by means of at least one pressure sensor arranged on the pump inlet and/or on the pump outlet. A temperature of the blood is additionally detected. By evaluating the measured pressure profiles and/or corresponding rates of change of the measured pressure, it is possible for delivery parameters of the pump, and physiological values of the heart assisted by the pump, to be determined in a convenient and reliable manner.

A system for improving heart muscle response during a pre-ejection phase in the heart muscle pumping cycle requires a catheter having a pressure transducer and a fluid device mounted at its distal end. Also included is a pump connected to the proximal end of the catheter in fluid communication with the fluid device. A computer will activate the pump in response to a predetermined signal from the pressure transducer to inject and maintain an increased fluid volume in the pumping chamber of the heart for a predetermined time interval t during the pre-ejection phase. This supplements the isometric pressure in the heart's pumping chamber in preparation for a subsequent ejection of blood from the pumping chamber.

A flexible magnetic membrane based actuation system comprising magnetic nanoparticles loaded into a polymeric material such as polyurethane and adapted to actuation of to and fro pumping motions of the membrane under application of magnetic field on the magnetic nanoparticles loaded membrane. More particularly, the present invention is directed to the said nanoparticles-loaded polyurethane magnetic membrane based actuation system adapted to function as displacement membrane for various activities requiring such to and fro motion. The magnetic membrane actuation is adapted to be controlled using electronic equipments to regulate the rate, force and frequency of displacement pulses. The magnetic membrane is thus capable of providing a simple, bio-compatible and cost effective means for displacement/mechanical work to assist functioning of various gadgets/medical devices including function as an artificial support system for heart, non-responsive diaphragm or a non-responsive sphincter, and thus capable of wide industrial applications.