Device for determining a characteristic point in the cardiac cycle

1. A method for activating an intra-aortal balloon pump (IABP) comprising:

(a) calculating the curve of the blood flow rate D(t) in the aorta from the curve of the arterial blood pressure signal P(t) and determining from the curve of the blood flow rate D(t) in each cardiac cycle the time at which an incisura point lies, wherein the incisura point is determined from a first local minimum in the curve of the blood flow rate D(t) after the beginning of an ejection phase;

(b) delivering a first signal when the incisura point is reached, wherein said first signal activates an intra-aortal balloon pump (IABP) to inflate; and

(c) delivering a second signal at the beginning of the ejection phase, wherein said second signal activates an intra-aortal balloon pump (IABP) to deflate.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the blood flow rate D(t) lies below a threshold value Dd.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein Dd is equal to 10% of the blood flow rate when the blood flow rate from the left ventricle has reached its maximum value.

4. The method according to claim 2 , wherein Dd=0.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the incisura point is determined when D(t)=0 after the beginning of an ejection phase.

6. The method according to claim 1 , which further comprises filtering out a high-frequency noise on the arterial blood pressure signal P(t).

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein calculation of the curve of the blood flow rate D(t) in the aorta from the curve of the arterial blood pressure signal P(t) is based on the Windkessel model.