Thoracic aorta ventricular assist system

A method of assisting a patient's heart, comprising:

• implanting a heart assist system by placing a compressible pumping chamber being formed of a flexible material in fluid connection with the descending thoracic aorta;
• the heart assist system further comprising a pump system comprising a first rigid member, a second rigid member spaced from the first rigid member so that at least a portion of the compressible pumping chamber may be positioned between the first rigid member and the second rigid member, wherein the first rigid is positioned adjacent the chest wall posterior to the descending thoracic aorta and the second rigid member is positioned adjacent the surface of the left lung, a drive system to move toward the first rigid member or away from the first rigid member, and a controller in operative connection of the drive system and controlling the drive system, wherein movement of the second rigid member toward the first rigid member results in compression of the compressible pumping chamber and movement of the second rigid member away from the first rigid member causes expansion of the compressible pumping chamber;
• and
• controlling the motor via the controller to move the second rigid member toward and away from the first rigid member.