Device and system for augmenting a heart

Abstract

A radially compressible cardiac gripper for at least mechanical stimulation of a heart. The cardiac gripper has two gripper arms, wherein at least one of the gripper arms comprises a flexible section configured for movement of the arm having the flexible section.

1 . A radially compressible cardiac gripper for at least mechanical stimulation of a heart,
 wherein the cardiac gripper comprises two gripper arms,   and wherein at least one of the gripper arms comprises a flexible section configured for movement of the arm.   
     
     
         2 . The cardiac gripper according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one gripper arm is configured to be pressurized and moved by a fluid. 
     
     
         3 . The cardiac gripper according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the gripper arms comprise a corrugated section. 
     
     
         4 . The cardiac gripper according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the gripper arms comprise a sinusoidal surface, and wherein the sinusoidal surface is angled towards a center point of the cardiac gripper. 
     
     
         5 . The cardiac gripper according to  claim 2 , wherein the cardiac gripper comprises a fluid channel having an inlet and wherein the inlet is arranged at the gripper arms. 
     
     
         6 . The cardiac gripper according to  claim 5 , wherein the inlet is arranged at a center between the gripper arms. 
     
     
         7 . The cardiac gripper according to  claim 2 , comprising an open end and wherein the open end is opposite of a center of the gripper arms. 
     
     
         8 . The cardiac gripper of  claim 1 , wherein the cardiac gripper comprises means for detection of an electrical signal of the heart and/or means for stimulation of an electrical signal of the heart. 
     
     
         9 . The cardiac gripper of  claim 1 , wherein the cardiac gripper is configured to be deployed intercostal. 
     
     
         10 . A cardiac augmenting system comprising;
 a radially compressible cardiac gripper for at least mechanical stimulation of a heart,   a means for pressurizing the cardiac gripper connected thereto.   
     
     
         11 . The cardiac augmenting system according to  claim 10 , wherein the means for pressurizing is connected to an inlet ( 6 ) of a fluid channel arranged at a center of a flexible section ( 2 ) of the cardiac gripper ( 1 ). 
     
     
         12 . The cardiac augmenting system according to  claim 10 , wherein the augmenting system comprises means for controlling the pressure of the means for pressurizing. 
     
     
         13 . The cardiac augmenting system according to  claim 10 , wherein the means for controlling the pressure is configured to provide an alternating pressurization of the means for pressurizing. 
     
     
         14 . The cardiac augmenting system according to  claim 10 , wherein the augmenting system comprises means for electrically stimulating the heart and/or means for detecting an electrical signal of the heart. 
     
     
         15 . The cardiac augmenting system according to  claim 10 , wherein the augmenting system comprises means for controlling the electrical stimulation the heart.