Patent ID: 6398715
Filing Date: 2002-06-04
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
An apparatus for assisting a patient's heart function comprising:a mechanism for expanding and collapsing a right ventricle free wall of a heart of a patient, the expanding and collapsing mechanism includes an expandable and flexible balloon adapted to be inserted into the patient between a right ventricular free wall and a sternum of the patient and a balloon backing upon which the balloon is attached and that causes the balloon to expand away from the backing as the balloon expands, said balloon backing adapted to be attached to the patient; and a mechanism for powering the expanding and collapsing mechanism such that right ventricular compression is achieved during cardiac systole by direct compression of the right ventricle by the balloon and diastolic filling of the heart is assisted during cardiac diastole by collapsing the balloon with negative pressure from the powering mechanism, said powering mechanism in communication with said expanding and collapsing mechanism.