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Heart wall actuation device for the natural heart

  • US 20040024286A1
  • Filed: 07/14/2003
  • Published: 02/05/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/02/1996
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An actuation system for assisting the operation of the natural heart, the actuation system comprising:

  • a framework for interfacing with a natural heart;

    an actuator system coupled to the framework and configured to engage an exterior surface of the heart, the actuator system comprising;

    an actuator band extending along a portion of a heart wall exterior surface, the actuator band selectively movable between an actuated state and a relaxed state and operable, when in the actuated state, to assume a predetermined shape and thereby indent a portion of the heart wall to effect a reduction in the volume of the heart; and

    a curvature limiting device coupled to the actuator band and operable for limiting the curvature that the actuator band imposes on the indented portion of the heart wall.

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