US5007927A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Muscle-powered cardiac assist device
Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
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Filing: 1989-10-24
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Granted: 1991-04-16
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Expires: 2009-10-24
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus is provided for enhancing blood circulation, and thereby reducing fatigue, in a skeletal muscle used for powering a cardiac assist device wherein the muscle is positioned to compress a blood reservoir in response to muscle contracting stimuli. Enhanced perfusion of the skeletal muscle is achieved by delaying blood flow into the reservoir for a period of time following each muscle contraction.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen F. Badylak
- 👤 Leslie A. Geddes
- 👤 Jerry L. Wessale
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:56
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M60/00; A61M60/10; A61M60/122; A61M60/126; A61M60/148; A61M60/80; A61M60/855; A61M60/871; A61M60/882; A61M60/152; A61M60/40; A61M60/424; A61M60/438; A61M60/50; A61M60/508; A61M60/515; A61M60/835; A61M60/837; A61M60/878; A61M60/89; A61M60/892; A61M60/894; A61M60/896; A61M2205/00; A61M2205/33; A61M2205/3303; A61M60/20; A61M60/247; A61M60/253; A61M60/268; A61M60/274
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus for enhancing circulation of blood in skeletal muscle in use for powering a cardiac assist device including a blood reservoir in fluid communication with a patient's circulatory system, wherein said skeletal muscle is positioned to compress the blood reservoir in response to a muscle contracting stimulus from a pulse generator said circulation enhancing apparatus comprising a valve positioned to control blood flow from the patient's circulatory system into the blood reservoir, and means for activating the valve in a timed relationship to the muscle contracting stimulus.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus for enhancing circulation of blood in skeletal muscle in use for powering a cardiac assist device including a blood reservoir in fluid communication with a patient's circulatory system, wherein said skeletal muscle is positioned to compress the blood reservoir in response to a muscle contracting stimulus from a pulse generator said circulation enhancing apparatus comprising a valve positioned to control blood flow from the patient's circulatory system into the blood reservoir, and means for activating the valve in a timed relationship to the muscle contracting stimulus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the valve activating means is a programmable signal generating circuit in the pulse generator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the blood reservoir has a blood outlet conduit and a blood inlet conduit each in fluid communication with the patient's circulatory system, and wherein the valve is positioned in the blood inlet conduit and a unidirectional valve is positioned in the blood outlet conduit to prevent blood flow from the patient's circulatory system into the blood reservoir through said blood outlet conduit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the valve is biased in a closed position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the valve is electrically activated by an electric pulse generator in an adjustable timed relationship to the muscle contracting stimulus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for sensing heart activity wherein the muscle contracting stimulus from the pulse generator is applied to the skeletal muscle in a timed relationship to sensed heart activity.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
149 words
An apparatus for enhancing circulation of blood through skeletal muscle in use for powering a cardiac assist device for providing blood pumping action to supplement heart blood pumping action, wherein said skeletal muscle is positioned to compress a blood reservoir in response to a muscle contracting stimulus, the blood reservoir in fluid communication with a patient's circulatory system, said apparatus comprising, a blood outlet conduit and a blood inlet conduit, each in fluid communication with the patient's circulatory system and the blood reservoir, an unidirectional flow valve in the blood outlet conduit to prevent blood flow from the patient's circulatory system into the blood reservoir through the blood outlet, an electrically activated valve positioned in the blood inlet conduit to control blood flow from the patient's circulatory system into the blood reservoir, and means for activating the electrically activated valve in a timed relationship to the muscle contracting stimulus.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
149 words
An apparatus for enhancing circulation of blood through skeletal muscle in use for powering a cardiac assist device for providing blood pumping action to supplement heart blood pumping action, wherein said skeletal muscle is positioned to compress a blood reservoir in response to a muscle contracting stimulus, the blood reservoir in fluid communication with a patient's circulatory system, said apparatus comprising, a blood outlet conduit and a blood inlet conduit, each in fluid communication with the patient's circulatory system and the blood reservoir, an unidirectional flow valve in the blood outlet conduit to prevent blood flow from the patient's circulatory system into the blood reservoir through the blood outlet, an electrically activated valve positioned in the blood inlet conduit to control blood flow from the patient's circulatory system into the blood reservoir, and means for activating the electrically activated valve in a timed relationship to the muscle contracting stimulus.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for enhancing circulation of blood through skeletal muscle used for powering a cardiac assist device including a blood reservoir in fluid communication with a patient's circulatory system in which device said skeletal muscle is positioned to compress the blood reservoir in response to muscle contracting stimuli, said method comprising the step of delaying blood flow into the blood reservoir for a predetermined period of time following each muscle contracting stimulus.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for enhancing circulation of blood through skeletal muscle used for powering a cardiac assist device including a blood reservoir in fluid communication with a patient's circulatory system in which device said skeletal muscle is positioned to compress the blood reservoir in response to muscle contracting stimuli, said method comprising the step of delaying blood flow into the blood reservoir for a predetermined period of time following each muscle contracting stimulus.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-04-15 | 1994-10-15 | 1995-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-04-15 | 1998-10-15 | 1999-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-04-15 | 2002-10-15 | 2003-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |