US5609632A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of fabricating an artificial lung
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
•
Filing: 1996-03-18
•
Granted: 1997-03-11
•
Expires: 2016-03-18
Abstract
Abstract An artificial lung is created by taking an animal lung, filling either its circulatory system or its respiratory system with a hardenable liquid, hardening the liquid, then dissolving the natural lung tissue, coating the hardened liquid with a material forming a gas permeable membrane, removing the hardenable fluid, and enclosing the resulting artificial lung structure in a fluid-tight pouch.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger J. Elgas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M1/00; A61M1/14; A61M1/16; A61M1/1698; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of making an implantable artificial lung, comprising the steps of: a) introducing into cavities of a natural lung a reversibly hardenable fluid; b) hardening said fluid; c) dissolving the tissue of said natural lung while said fluid is hardened; d) coating said hardened fluid with a material forming a gas permeable membrane; and e) removing said hardenable fluid from said gas permeable membrane.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of making an implantable artificial lung, comprising the steps of: a) introducing into cavities of a natural lung a reversibly hardenable fluid; b) hardening said fluid; c) dissolving the tissue of said natural lung while said fluid is hardened; d) coating said hardened fluid with a material forming a gas permeable membrane; and e) removing said hardenable fluid from said gas permeable membrane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, in which said fluid is reversibly hardenable, and said hardening is reversed following said coating of said hardened fluid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1, in which said hardenable fluid is acid-soluble when hardened, and said gas permeable membrane material is acid-resistant, said hardened fluid being removed from said gas permeable membrane by acid etching.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 3, in which said hardenable fluid is urethane, and said gas permeable membrane material is silicone rubber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, in which said hardenable fluid is a metallic salt, and said hardened fluid is removed from said membrane by electrolysis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of enclosing said gas permeable membrane in a fluid-tight pouch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, in which said cavities are a circulatory system of said natural lung.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, in which said cavities are a respiratory system of said natural lung.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, in which said reversibly hardenable fluid is a liquid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1, in which said dissolving is done by a dissolving chemical, and said hardenable fluid is substantially impervious to said dissolving chemical when said hardenable fluid is hardened.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-03-10 | 2000-09-09 | 2001-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-03-10 | 2004-09-09 | 2005-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-03-10 | 2008-09-09 | 2009-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |