APPARATUS FOR AIDING THE FLOW OF BLOOD THROUGH PATIENT'S CIRCULATORY SYSTEM

摘要

A percutaneous implanted device for temporarily sustaining a patient awaiting a heart transplant. The device includes a radially expandable stent (35) mounted upon the balloon section of a balloon catheter. A venous biological valve (36, 37) is mounted at each end of the stent and an inflatable annular-shaped diaphragm (50) is secured to the stent between the valves, which permit the flow of blood in one direction and prevent the flow of blood in the opposite direction. The diaphragm is attached to a pump (57) which inflates the diaphragm after the stent is implanted in a blood vessel in relation to the heart's rhythm to assist the heart in moving blood through the patient's circulatory system.