No Pat, I know other companies have the Technology.............Can not remember who it is, but I think the idea, is this Technology with the VCR being a 3rd generation pump, is the key.
Here is a large article I have found, from page 29 is the start of Artifical hearts and page 61 is the piece on Ventrassist, but it maybe worth a read for some. Looks like it is dated 2006, as they have VCR with 60 patients implanted.