Other

O Howard Frazier

Stephen R Igo

A heart assist system includes an axial-flow blood pump capable of being implanted in the descending thoracic aorta; a pressure-feedback controller connected to the pump, for controlling the pump, the controller capable of being implanted in the body; and a rechargeable battery pack connected to the pump and to the controller, for providing power to the pump, the battery pack capable of being implanted in the body. A method for assisting a failing heart comprises the steps of a) in response to when a measured dP/dT signal increases during systole, signaling an implanted aortic blood pump to go into a systolic mode and pump blood at a first flow rate; and b) in response to when the dP/dT signal peaks in the negative region, signaling the pump to go into a diastolic mode and pump blood at a second flow rate.

Permanent heart assist system

A method for surgically restoring a coronary artery having an atheroma, to more normal structure by making an arteriotomy incision over the length of the atheroma, extracting plaque, inserting stent into the coronary artery at the incision and closing the coronary artery over the stent with sutures. An extravascular drug delivery material is applied over the stent implantation site to inhibit thrombosis and smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Method for surgically restoring coronary blood vessels

A balloon is positionable in the patient's descending aorta. The balloon includes a balloon catheter and two pressure sensors that electrically couple to an extra-corporeal controller. The balloon itself also couples pneumatically to the extra-corporeal controller. An extra-corporeal pump electrically couples to the extra-corporeal controller, the pump having an outlet connectable to the patient's infra-diaphragmatic The pump inlet is connectable via a cannula to the patient's supra-diaphragmatic artery. artery. A doctor inserts the balloon into the descending aorta, and positions the balloon near the level of the patient's diaphragm. A balloon catheter, coupled to the extra-corporeal controller, inflates and deflates the balloon. An electrocardiogram ECG and proximal aortic blood pressure, measured in the upper arterial compartment via a lumen in the balloon catheter, serve as inputs to cycle the balloon synchronously with the heartbeat.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

O Howard Frazier