Method and apparatus for assisting human heart function

A method of assisting the function of the right ventricle of the human heart comprising the steps of

• inserting a balloon catheter having three balloon elements such that a separate balloon element is disposed in each of the superior vena cava, the atrial chamber and the inferior vena cava, respectively,
• inflating the balloon elements in the superior vena cava and the inferior vena cava simultaneously to occlude both said blood vessels,
• while said vessels are occluded, inflating the balloon element in the atrial chamber to pressurize said chamber to urge blood flow through the tricuspid valve,
• thereafter deflating the balloon elements in the superior vena cava and the inferior vena cava to permit blood flow therethrough, and
• after resumption of blood flow through said vessels, deflating the balloon element in the atrial chamber to allow blood to enter said chamber.

An intra-vascular pressurizing apparatus comprising

• a dual lumen catheter tube,
• three balloon elements mounted on said catheter tube, in longitudinally spaced apart relation, each of said ballon elements capable of being inflated and deflated,
• the intermediate balloon element being asymmetrical with respect to said catheter tube when inflated,
• means coupling one of the lumens of said catheter tube with the first and third of said balloon elements for supplying an inflating medium to and withdrawing said medium from both said first and third balloon elements simulaneously,
• means coupling the other of said lumens to said intermediate balloon element for supplying an inflating medium to and withdrawing said medium from said intermediate balloon element,
• individual means for supplying and withdrawing an inflating medium coupled to each of said lumens, respectively, and
• means for controlling the operation of said supplying and withdrawing means in a predetermined sequence.

Catheter apparatus comprising:

• a dual lumen catheter tube,
• three balloon means mounted on said catheter tube, each of said balloon means capable of being inflated and deflated, said balloon means being longitudinally spaced apart from each other on said catheter tube such that when said catheter tube is inserted into position adjacent the human heart, the first of said balloon means is disposed in the inferior vena cava, the third of said balloon means is disposed in the superior vena cava, and the intermediate balloon means is disposed in the right atrial chamber,
• means coupling one of the lumens of said catheter tube with said first and third balloon means for supplying an inflating medium to and withdrawing said medium from both said first and third balloon means to occlude the inferior vena cava and the superior vena cava respectively,
• means coupling the other of said lumens to said intermediate balloon means for supplying an inflating medium to and withdrawing said medium from said intermediate balloon means to aid in pressurinzing the right atrial chamber,
• individual means for supplying and withdrawing an inflating medium coupled to each of said lumens, respectively, and
• means for controlling the operation of said supplying and withdrawing means in a predetermined sequence.