| abstract |
A system configured to be at least partially implanted along an aorta (110) includes an inelastic, static member (104, 108) and a pinching member (102, 106). The pinching member is configured to receive an activation signal at an activation rate and in response to the activation signal, repeatedly compress the aorta (110) at the second location at the activation rate to pump fluid within the aorta in a desired pumping direction. The system is configured to selectively control wave reflections in order to achieve both improved wave dynamics to reduce cardiac load and increased (or at least non- diminished) blood flow to targeted organs within the cardiovascular system. |