Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A device for measuring compliance conditions of a prosthesis under simulated physiologic loading conditions, comprising: a) a fluid conduit having a channel extending therethrough between a first and second end, wherein the channel is adapted for containing at least one prosthesis therein; b) a first linear driven pump attached to the first end of said conduit and a second linear driven pump attached to the second end of said conduit, wherein said first and second linear driven pumps displace a fluid contained within said conduit; c) a plurality of transducers coupled to said fluid conduit to thereby measure a plurality of predetermined conditions within said fluid conduit; and d) a microprocessor-based controller interconnected with said first and second linear driven pumps and said plurality of transducers, whereby the microprocessor-based controller adjusts a pulse frequency of the first and second linear driven pumps to thereby servo simulate physiologic loading conditions on the prosthesis within the fluid conduit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
156 words
A device for measuring compliance conditions of a prosthesis under simulated physiologic loading conditions, comprising: a) a fluid conduit having a channel extending therethrough between a first and second end, wherein the channel is adapted for containing at least one prosthesis therein; b) a first linear driven pump attached to the first end of said conduit and a second linear driven pump attached to the second end of said conduit, wherein said first and second linear driven pumps displace a fluid contained within said conduit; c) a plurality of transducers coupled to said fluid conduit to thereby measure a plurality of predetermined conditions within said fluid conduit; and d) a microprocessor-based controller interconnected with said first and second linear driven pumps and said plurality of transducers, whereby the microprocessor-based controller adjusts a pulse frequency of the first and second linear driven pumps to thereby servo simulate physiologic loading conditions on the prosthesis within the fluid conduit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device as recited in claim 1, further comprising an uninterruptable power supply coupled to both said microprocessor-based controller and said first and second linear driven pumps.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of transducers are selected from the group consisting of a linear displacement transducer, a pressure transducer, and a compliance transducer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device as recited in claim 1, further including a linear displacement transducer coupled to said microprocessor-based controller and further coupled to one of said first and second linear driven pumps.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a temperature transducer coupled to said fluid conduit and further coupled to a microprocessor-based temperature controller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device as recited in claim 1, wherein said first and second linear driven pumps include drive motors of the electrodynamic linear voice coil driven type.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device as recited in claim 1, further including a compliance transducer aligned with at least one prosthesis contained in the channel of said fluid conduit, wherein said transducer provides compliance feedback.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device as recited in claim 7, wherein said compliance transducer is electrically coupled to a compliance transducer controller which is coupled to said microprocessor based controller.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device as recited in claim 7, wherein said compliance transducer is attached to a linear sliding micrometer which is coupled to the fluid conduit to thereby accurately position the compliance transducer with respect to the fluid conduit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device as recited in claim 1, further including a pressure transducer coupled to said microprocessor based controller and further coupled to said fluid conduit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device as recited in claim 1, further including a temperature maintenance means coupled to said microprocessor based controller and said fluid conduit for maintaining the fluid temperature within the fluid conduit at a desired temperature.