Heart assist devices, systems and methods

A device for assisting the functioning of the heart of a patient, the device including:

• inflatable compressing means adapted to be positioned about the aorta of a patient for externally engaging and compressing the aorta;
• means for releasing the compressing means from about the aorta, said releasing means being adapted for releasing in response to intracorporeal input during minimally invasive surgery or in response to extracorporeal input,
• motive means to periodically inflate the compressing means in counterpulsation with the rhythm of the patient's heart, the motive means being adapted for external location and connection to the compressing means via a percutaneous line,
• wherein the compressing means and the release means are fully implantable within the thoracic cavity of the patient and the compressive means include means adapted for attachment to itself for engaging the aorta and for detachment from itself for intracorporeal or extracorporeal releasing from the aorta.