Methods, devices and systems for counterpulsation of blood flow to and from the circulatory system

A counterpulsation method of assisting the heart of a patient using a pump assist system, the method comprising:

• coupling a first conduit to the cardiovascular system of the patient,
• connecting a first port of a pulsatile pump to the first conduit,
• implanting the pump in the patient without entering the chest cavity or abdominal cavity of the patient,
• connecting a driver unit to the pump, and
• coordinating the operation of the pulsatile pump with the driver unit to suction blood from the cardiovascular system through the first port and the first conduit while the heart is in systole and expel the blood into the first port and the first conduit and the cardiovascular system while the heart is in diastole wherein operation of the pump includes delivering a fluid from the driver unit to the pump.

A system for supplementing blood flow from the heart of a patient and providing counterpulsation blood flow, the system comprising:

• a first conduit configured to be directed into fluid communication with the cardiovascular system of the patient,
• a second conduit configured to be coupled to the cardiovascular system of the patient,
• a continuous pump configured to be connected with the first and second conduits to suction blood from the first conduit and expel blood into the second conduit,
• a third conduit configured to be coupled to the cardiovascular system of the patient,
• a pulsatile pump configured to be connected with the third conduit,
• at least one power supply coupled to the pumps, and
• at least one control for operating the continuous pump and the pulsatile pump in manners that respectively supplement blood flow from the heart and provide counterpulsation blood flow.