Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
A percutaneous oxygenator comprising: (a) a tubular connector having a lower opening and an upper portion dividing to form two passageways in fluid communication with said lower opening, both of said passageways having a separate exterior opening; and (b) a first group of a number of hollow, gas-permeable fibers, each fiber having two ends, the first end of each fiber located in the first passageway of said connector in fluid communication with the exterior opening of said first passageway, said fibers extending downward through said lower opening with the second end of each fiber located a predetermined distance below said lower opening; (c) a second group of a number of hollow, gas-permeable fibers, each fiber having two ends, the first end of each fiber located in the second passageway of said connector in fluid communication with the exterior opening of said second passageway, said fibers extending downward through said lower opening with the second end of each fiber located a predetermined distance below said lower opening; (d) a tip member having an interior cavity in fluid communication with the second ends of said first group of fibers and with the second ends of said second group of fibers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
A percutaneous oxygenator comprising: (a) a tubular connector having a lower opening and an upper portion dividing to form two passageways in fluid communication with said lower opening, both of said passageways having a separate exterior opening; and (b) a first group of a number of hollow, gas-permeable fibers, each fiber having two ends, the first end of each fiber located in the first passageway of said connector in fluid communication with the exterior opening of said first passageway, said fibers extending downward through said lower opening with the second end of each fiber located a predetermined distance below said lower opening; (c) a second group of a number of hollow, gas-permeable fibers, each fiber having two ends, the first end of each fiber located in the second passageway of said connector in fluid communication with the exterior opening of said second passageway, said fibers extending downward through said lower opening with the second end of each fiber located a predetermined distance below said lower opening; (d) a tip member having an interior cavity in fluid communication with the second ends of said first group of fibers and with the second ends of said second group of fibers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The percutaneous oxygenator of claim 1 wherein said fibers are comprised of microporous polypropylene.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The percutaneous oxygenator of claim 2 wherein said polypropylene fibers are coated with a thin layer of silicone rubber to which is bonded a non-thrombogenic surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The percutaneous oxygenator of claim 1 further comprising sealing material filling any voids inside said connector passageways between said fibers, without plugging the first ends of said fibers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The percutaneous oxygenator of claim 1 wherein the connector has a Y-shaped configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The percutaneous oxygenator of claim 1 wherein said fibers are twisted into a helical arrangement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The percutaneous oxygenator of claim 1 wherein said fibers are crimped at a number of points along their peripheral length.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The percutaneous oxygenator of claim 1 further comprising an elongated support member extending from said connector adapted to support said fiber loops with respect to said connector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The percutaneous oxygenator of claim 8 wherein said support member comprises a wire extending downward from said base attached to said tip member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The percutaneous oxygenator of claim 8 wherein said support member is rotatable about its longitudinal axis with respect to said connector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
194 words
A percutaneous oxygenator comprising: (a) a connector having (i) a tubular base with a lower end with an exterior opening and an upper end, and (ii) two tubular arms, each arm extending from the upper end of said base, with an exterior opening at its distal end; and (b) a first group of a number of hollow, gas-permeable fibers, each fiber having two ends, the first end of each fiber extending upward through the lower end of said base and into the first arm of said connector, with the second end of each fiber located a predetermined distance below the lower end of said base; (c) a second group of a number of hollow, gas-permeable fibers, each fiber having two ends, the first end of each fiber extending upward through the lower end of said base and into the second arm of said connector, with the second end of each fiber located a predetermined distance below the lower end of said base; (d) a tip member having an interior cavity in fluid communication with the second ends of said first group of fibers and with the second ends of said second group of fibers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
194 words
A percutaneous oxygenator comprising: (a) a connector having (i) a tubular base with a lower end with an exterior opening and an upper end, and (ii) two tubular arms, each arm extending from the upper end of said base, with an exterior opening at its distal end; and (b) a first group of a number of hollow, gas-permeable fibers, each fiber having two ends, the first end of each fiber extending upward through the lower end of said base and into the first arm of said connector, with the second end of each fiber located a predetermined distance below the lower end of said base; (c) a second group of a number of hollow, gas-permeable fibers, each fiber having two ends, the first end of each fiber extending upward through the lower end of said base and into the second arm of said connector, with the second end of each fiber located a predetermined distance below the lower end of said base; (d) a tip member having an interior cavity in fluid communication with the second ends of said first group of fibers and with the second ends of said second group of fibers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The percutaneous oxygenator of claim 11 wherein said fibers are comprised of microporous polypropylene.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The percutaneous oxygenator of claim 11 wherein said polypropylene fibers are coated with a thin layer of silicone rubber to which is bonded a non-thrombogenic surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The percutaneous oxygenator of claim 11 further comprising sealing material filling any voids inside at least one of said tubular arms between said fibers, without plugging the first ends of said fibers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The percutaneous oxygenator of claim 11 wherein the connector has a Y-shaped configuration.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The percutaneous oxygenator of claim 11 further comprising a support member extending from said connector adapted to support said fiber loops with respect to said connector.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The percutaneous oxygenator of claim 11 wherein said support member comprises a wire extending downward from said base attached to said tip member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The percutaneous oxygenator of claim 16 wherein said support member is rotatable about its longitudinal axis with respect to said connector.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The percutaneous oxygenator of claim 11 wherein said fibers are twisted into a helical arrangement.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The percutaneous oxygenator of claim 11 wherein said fibers are crimped at a number of points along their peripheral length.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
206 words
A percutaneous oxygenator comprising: (a) a Y-shaped tubular connector having a tubular base with an exterior opening at its lower end; and two tubular arms, each arm extending from the upper end of said base, with an exterior opening at its distal end; and (b) a first set of hollow, gas-permeable fibers, each fiber having two ends, the first end of each fiber extending upward through the lower end of said base and into the first arm of said connector, with the second end of each fiber extending a predetermined distance below the lower end of said base; (c) a second set of hollow, gas-permeable fibers, each fiber having two ends, the first end of each fiber extending upward through the lower end of said base and into the second arm of said connector, with the second end of each fiber extending a predetermined distance below the lower end of said base; (d) an elongated support member rotatably attached to said connector; (e) a tip member secured to the distal end of said support member, said tip member having an interior cavity in fluid communication with the second ends of said first set of fibers and with the second ends of said second set of fibers.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
206 words
A percutaneous oxygenator comprising: (a) a Y-shaped tubular connector having a tubular base with an exterior opening at its lower end; and two tubular arms, each arm extending from the upper end of said base, with an exterior opening at its distal end; and (b) a first set of hollow, gas-permeable fibers, each fiber having two ends, the first end of each fiber extending upward through the lower end of said base and into the first arm of said connector, with the second end of each fiber extending a predetermined distance below the lower end of said base; (c) a second set of hollow, gas-permeable fibers, each fiber having two ends, the first end of each fiber extending upward through the lower end of said base and into the second arm of said connector, with the second end of each fiber extending a predetermined distance below the lower end of said base; (d) an elongated support member rotatably attached to said connector; (e) a tip member secured to the distal end of said support member, said tip member having an interior cavity in fluid communication with the second ends of said first set of fibers and with the second ends of said second set of fibers.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
The percutaneous oxygenator of claim 21 wherein said support member comprises a wire, one end of which passes through said connector, the other distal end of which is secured to said tip member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
221 words
A percutaneous oxygenator comprising: (a) a tubular connector having a tubular base with an exterior opening at its lower end; and two tubular arms, each arm extending from the upper end of said base with an exterior opening at its distal end; (b) a first set of hollow, gas-permeable fibers, each fiber having two ends, the first end of each fiber extending upward through the lower end of said base and into the first arm of said connector, with the second end of each fiber located a predetermined distance below the base of said connector; (c) a second set of hollow, gas-permeable fibers, each fiber having two ends, the first end of each fiber extending upward through the lower end of said base and into the second arm of said connector, with the second end of each fiber located a predetermined distance below the base of said connector; (d) sealing material filling any voids inside at least one of said tubular arms and around the first ends of said fibers, to ensure that oxygen introduced into the external opening of said tubular arm flows only into said fibers; and (e) a tip member having an interior cavity in fluid communication with the second ends of said first group of fibers and with the second ends of said second group of fibers.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
221 words
A percutaneous oxygenator comprising: (a) a tubular connector having a tubular base with an exterior opening at its lower end; and two tubular arms, each arm extending from the upper end of said base with an exterior opening at its distal end; (b) a first set of hollow, gas-permeable fibers, each fiber having two ends, the first end of each fiber extending upward through the lower end of said base and into the first arm of said connector, with the second end of each fiber located a predetermined distance below the base of said connector; (c) a second set of hollow, gas-permeable fibers, each fiber having two ends, the first end of each fiber extending upward through the lower end of said base and into the second arm of said connector, with the second end of each fiber located a predetermined distance below the base of said connector; (d) sealing material filling any voids inside at least one of said tubular arms and around the first ends of said fibers, to ensure that oxygen introduced into the external opening of said tubular arm flows only into said fibers; and (e) a tip member having an interior cavity in fluid communication with the second ends of said first group of fibers and with the second ends of said second group of fibers.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
The percutaneous oxygenator of claim 23 further comprising an elongated support member extending downward from said connector, with its distal end secured to said tip member.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The percutaneous oxygenator of claim 23 wherein the connector has a Y-shaped configuration.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The percutaneous oxygenator of claim 23 wherein said fibers are comprised of microporous polypropylene.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
The percutaneous oxygenator of claim 26 wherein said polypropylene fibers are coated with a thin layer of silicone rubber to which is bonded a non-thrombogenic surface.