Patent ID: 6984201
Filing Date: 2006-01-10
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A blood circulation assistance device, for location around a blood conduit, the device comprising: at least one inflatable bladder moveable between a contracted form and an expanded form, for compressing the blood conduit to provide counterpulsation; pump means in fluid communication with the at least one inflatable bladder for moving the at least one inflatable bladder from the contracted form to the expanded form, the pump means comprising a centrifugal impeller rotatable about an axis to effect pumping, the impeller being moveable axially between first and second positions to effect a reversal of the direction of pumping; control means in communication with the pump means, the control means being capable of monitoring the cardiac cycle of an individual and triggering the pump means to move the at least one inflatable bladder to the expanded form at diastole; and an outer cuff, surrounding at least a portion of the at least one inflatable bladder, providing an outer limiting extent to the movement of the at least one inflatable bladder, the at least one inflatable bladder being locatable between the blood conduit and the outer cuff such that, in its expanded form, the at least one inflatable bladder presses against the outer limiting extent of the outer cuff to compress the blood conduit.