METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DIRECT MECHANICAL VENTRICULAR ACTUATION WITH FAVORABLE CONDITIONING AND MINIMAL HEART STRESS

摘要

A process for assisting the function of a heart disposed within a body, comprising the steps of supporting the heart in providing circulation of blood for perfusion of an organ in the body, remodeling the heart to render the heart in an improved state, and stablizing the heart in the improved state. The process is preferably performed with an appartus (100) compising a cup-shaped shell (112) havin an exterior surface and an interior surface; a liner (114) having an outer surface, an upper edge joined to said interior surface of said cup-shaped shell (112), and a lower edge joined of said interior surface of said cup-shaped shell (112), thereby forming a cavity between said outer surface thereof and said interior surface of said shell (112); a drive fluid cyclically interposed within said cavity; an at least one sensor measuring a least one macroscopic parameter indicative of said function of said heart. Further embodiments of the process and apparatus include means and use thereof for delivering a theapurtic agent to the heart.