DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ASSISTING BLOOD FLOW

摘要

A pump includes a flexible conduit, at least one valve attached to the flexible conduit about the perimeter of the valve; and a drive mechanism to move the valve to pump blood within the conduit. The drive mechanism can, for example, be adapted to complete a single stroke during each heart ventricle contraction and/or to complete multiple strokes (that is, oscillate) during a single contraction. Another implantable pump for assisting blood flow, includes: a flexible conduit formed in an arc; at least one movable valve in operative connection with the conduit; and a drive mechanism to move the valve in an arced path to pump blood within the conduit. Another pump includes a conduit and at least one moveable valve within the conduit. The moveable valve includes a plurality of openings. Each of the plurality of openings has a closure mechanism in operative connection therewith. Each closure mechanism is operable to at least partially close the opening to which it is operatively connected when the moveable valve is moved forward and to open the opening to which it is operatively connected when the valve is move rearward. The pump further includes a drive mechanism to move the valve to pump blood within the conduit. In one embodiment, each closure mechanism includes a flap of resilient material.