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US4666443A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Biventricular circulatory assist system and method

Assignee: World Heart Corp USA
•
Filing: 1986-04-18
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Granted: 1987-05-19
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Expires: 2006-04-18
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Abstract

Abstract A biventricular circulatory support system for a human patient is described. A mechanical first pump for assuming at least a part of the pumping load of the patient's left ventricle is implanted in the patient. A second pump for assuming at least a part of the pumping load of the patient's right ventricle is also implanted. The second pump includes a surgically prepared skeletal muscle pedicle with nerves and blood supply substantially intact. The muscle pedicle is applied directly to the right ventrical or is applied to an artificial pump sac. Electrical signals are applied to the first and second pumps as appropriate to cause pumping action in a predetermined relationship.

Inventors

  • 👤 Peer M. Portner

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 12:00
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M60/00; A61M60/80; A61M60/855; A61M60/89; A61M60/40; A61M60/424; A61M60/438; A61M60/10; A61M60/122; A61M60/165; A61M60/178; A61M60/183; A61M60/50; A61M60/508; A61M60/515; A61M60/871; A61M60/873; A61M60/876; A61M2205/00; A61M2205/82; A61M2205/8237; A61M2205/8243; A61M60/126; A61M60/148; A61M60/882; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/03

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim 141 words
A biventricular circulatory support system for a human patient comprising, mechanical first pumping means having means for connection and for assuming at least a part of the pumping load of the patient's left ventricle and responsive to first electrical signals applied thereto, second pumping means for assuming at least a part of the pumping load of the patient's right ventricle, said second pumping means including a surgically prepared skeletal muscle pedicle with nerves and blood supply substantially intact connected at one end thereof and responsive to second electrical signals applied thereto to contract and cause said second pumping means to pump, and means for applying first electrical signals to said first pumping means and second electrical signals to said second pumping means, said first and second electrical signals being applied in a predetermined relationship corresponding to a desired pumping phase relationship.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 141 words
A biventricular circulatory support system for a human patient comprising, mechanical first pumping means having means for connection and for assuming at least a part of the pumping load of the patient's left ventricle and responsive to first electrical signals applied thereto, second pumping means for assuming at least a part of the pumping load of the patient's right ventricle, said second pumping means including a surgically prepared skeletal muscle pedicle with nerves and blood supply substantially intact connected at one end thereof and responsive to second electrical signals applied thereto to contract and cause said second pumping means to pump, and means for applying first electrical signals to said first pumping means and second electrical signals to said second pumping means, said first and second electrical signals being applied in a predetermined relationship corresponding to a desired pumping phase relationship.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 29 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said skeletal muscle pedicle is adapted to be surgically placed directly on the patient's right ventricular epicardium to augment right ventricular contraction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 51 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said second pumping means include a valved sac-type pump adapted to be interposed between the patient's right atrium or right ventricle and the patient's pulmonary artery to augment right-sided pulmonary flow, and wherein said skeletal muscle pedicle is placed around said valved sac-type pump.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 17 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said first pumping means comprise a mechanically actuated sac-type pump.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 25 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said first pumping means includes means for connection between the left ventricle and the aorta of the patient.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 22 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said control means include a pulse train generator adapted to be implanted within the patient.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 26 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said control means include means for developing said second signals in response to detected ECG signals from the patient.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 30 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said control means apply said first and second electrical signals in accordance with demand from the patient's left side and right side respectively.
Claim 10
Independent Claim 128 words
A method for supporting the circulatory system of a patient, comprising, implanting in the patient mechanical first pumping means for assuming at least a part of the pumping load of the patient's left ventricle, said first pumping means being responsive to first electrical signals applied thereto, implanting second pumping means for assuming at least a part of the pumping load of the patient's right ventricle, said second pumping means including a surgically prepared skeletal muscle pedicle with nerves and blood supply substantially intact and responsive to second electrical signals applied thereto to contract and cause said second pumping means to pump, and implanting control means for applying first electrical signals to said first pumping means and second electrical signals to said second pumping means in a predetermined relationship.
Claim 11
Independent Claim 128 words
A method for supporting the circulatory system of a patient, comprising, implanting in the patient mechanical first pumping means for assuming at least a part of the pumping load of the patient's left ventricle, said first pumping means being responsive to first electrical signals applied thereto, implanting second pumping means for assuming at least a part of the pumping load of the patient's right ventricle, said second pumping means including a surgically prepared skeletal muscle pedicle with nerves and blood supply substantially intact and responsive to second electrical signals applied thereto to contract and cause said second pumping means to pump, and implanting control means for applying first electrical signals to said first pumping means and second electrical signals to said second pumping means in a predetermined relationship.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 20 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein the second electrical signals are coordinated with the ECG signals of the patient.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 23 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein the first pumping means are connected between the left ventricle and the aorta of the patient.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4143661A Cited
US4152786A Cited
US4384829A Cited
US4457673A Cited
US4453537A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1990-05-18 1990-11-17 1991-05-19 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1994-05-18 1994-11-17 1995-05-19 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1998-05-18 1998-11-17 1999-05-19 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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