Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
An implantable mechanical system for assisting blood circulation, wherein the system is adapted to be actuated by power produced by linear contraction of a skeletal muscle, comprising: a blood circulation pump comprising a blood chamber and compression plates; a lever system means for driving said compression plates; a muscle action force multiplier means for transmitting a multiplied force through said lever system means and driving said compression plates; a prosthesis defining a biomechanical coupling between said skeletal muscle and said force multiplier; and means for measuring force from said skeletal muscle and displacement of said skeletal muscle while driving said pump during an electro-stimulation period used with the system; wherein said prosthesis, said force multiplier means, and said lever system means form a functional unit mechanically interconnected by lead wires which transmit movement and force through said unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
An implantable mechanical system for assisting blood circulation, wherein the system is adapted to be actuated by power produced by linear contraction of a skeletal muscle, comprising: a blood circulation pump comprising a blood chamber and compression plates; a lever system means for driving said compression plates; a muscle action force multiplier means for transmitting a multiplied force through said lever system means and driving said compression plates; a prosthesis defining a biomechanical coupling between said skeletal muscle and said force multiplier; and means for measuring force from said skeletal muscle and displacement of said skeletal muscle while driving said pump during an electro-stimulation period used with the system; wherein said prosthesis, said force multiplier means, and said lever system means form a functional unit mechanically interconnected by lead wires which transmit movement and force through said unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein said lever system means is connected to a hydraulic piston.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system according to claim 2, further comprising a second extracorporeal piston, wherein said hydraulic piston is implantable and is adapted to be driven by said second extracorporeal piston, said hydraulic piston and said extracorporeal piston comprising a portion of a hydraulic circuit which further includes a conduit adapted to pass through a percutaneous access.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein said means for measuring force and displacement comprises an implantable cell containing working springs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system according to claim 4, wherein said cell includes an outer spring and an inner spring wherein said outer spring is designed to displace at a higher loading force than said inner spring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein the muscle force multiplier means is positioned between said prosthesis and said lever system means which drives said blood pump and further comprises a pulley set for guiding said lead wires.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system according to claim 6, wherein the pulley set is are comprised of at least two adjacent and connected pulleys having a common axis, wherein the diameter of one of the two pulleys is larger than the diameter of another of the two pulleys so as to achieve force multiplication when a force is applied to the pulley having the larger diameter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein the muscle force multiplier means is positioned between said prosthesis and said lever system which drives said blood pump and further comprises gear sets controlled by racks.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
73 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein: said lever system means comprises two levers for transmitting forces wherein each of said two levers has an end connected to said force multiplier means and an opposite end connected to one of said compression plates via flexible straps; and said pump includes inlet and outlet ports connected to corresponding conduits which are adapted to channel blood from a heart cavity to an arterial circulation system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein said lead wires extend between said biomechanical coupling and said force multiplier and said lead wires extend between said force multiplier and said lever system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system according to claim 1, wherein said lever system and said force multiplier are separate and distinct elements attached by said lead wires.