Removable left ventricular assist device with an aortic support apparatus

DETAILED DESCRIPTION It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for temporarily replacing the function of the left ventricle in a patient who is suffering severe heart disease or trauma.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for temporarily providing support to the inside aortic walls of a patient who is suffering from severe heart disease or trauma, such that the left ventricle is unable to maintain enough systemic arterial pressure to prevent the collapse of the walls of the aorta during use of an IABP.
Another object of the present invention is to expand the walls of the aorta during the ejection phase of the left ventricle, so as to enhance ejection of blood from the left ventricle into the aorta.
This expansion of the aorta is synchronized with inflation of blocking balloons to prevent reflux of blood from arteries of the aortic arch and from the distal aorta and is also synchronized with deflation of a pumping balloon or blood flow control means positioned in the descending aorta.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for creating an intermittent elevation of aortic blood pressure, so as to perfuse the systemic circulation with oxygenated blood in a patient who has suffered severe heart disease or trauma such that the left ventricle is not functioning or is functioning only minimally.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for blocking the flow of blood to the aortic arch arteries during left ventricle systole and concomitant deflation of the device's pumping balloon, so that backflow of oxygenated blood from the aortic arch and from the distal aorta will not reduce the efficiency of the pumping-function of the device.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a cost-effective and easily operated LVAD and aortic support and expansion capabilities that can be placed within the aorta of a patient by insertion through a femoral artery, as would be accomplished with a typical intra-aortic catheter