Patent ID: 7481760
Filing Date: 2009-01-27
Classification: A61M,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An implantable cardiac assist device comprising: a tubular element adapted to be inserted in an artery with one end facing away from a heart of a patient so as to leave the heart intact; a shell adapted to be connected to said tubular element and having a first variable volume chamber and a second variable volume chamber, said first variable volume chamber being adapted to be connected to the artery; a unidirectional pressure sensitive valve arranged entirely inside said tubular element and being proximate said end of said element; a reservoir adapted to have fluid therein; a pump having an inlet and an outlet; and a hydraulic system interposed between said pump and said second variable volume chamber and having valve means adapted to receive an input indicative of an operation of the heart and to be responsive to the operation of the heart to connect (a) said outlet of said pump to said second variable volume chamber, and said reservoir to said inlet of said pump, during cardiac diastole when the heart is in diastole, and (b) said outlet of said pump to said reservoir, and said second variable volume chamber to said inlet of said pump, during cardiac systole when the heart is in systole, said pressure sensitive value being operable to resist blood flow during cardiac diastole, to provide minimal resistance to blood flow during cardiac systole, and to provide minimal resistance to blood flow during a failure of the cardiac assist device.