Patent ID: 6200260
Filing Date: 2001-03-13
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
An extracardiac pumping system for supplementing blood circulation through a patient experiencing congestive heart failure without any component thereof being connected to the patient's heart, the extracardiac system comprising:a pump configured to pump blood through the patient at subcardiac volumetric rates, said pump having an average flow rate that, during normal operation thereof, is substantially below that of the patient's heart when healthy;an inflow conduit fluidly coupled to the pump to direct blood to the pump from a first peripheral blood vessel, the inflow conduit having a first end sized and configured to couple to the first peripheral blood vessel;an outflow conduit fluidly coupled to the pump to direct blood from the pump to a second peripheral blood vessel, the outflow conduit having a first end sized and configured to couple to the second peripheral blood vessel; andat least one additional outflow conduit having a first end configured to connect to a peripheral blood vessel;whereby connection of the first ends of the inflow and outflow conduits to the blood vessels may be made subcutaneously to permit application of the connections in an minimally-invasive procedure.