Patent US3663966A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3663966A
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US
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Implantable artificial heart
Assignee: Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et Aux Énergies Alternatives
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Filing: 1970-12-21
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Granted: 1972-05-23
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Expires: 1990-12-21
Abstract
Abstract An implantable artificial heart (without extra-corporal circulation) includes a prime mover consisting of a Rankine or Hirn steam engine and a boiler heated by a radioisotopic source. A relaxation mechanism is interposed between the piston of the engine and a hydraulic transmission device and comprises a spring enclosed between two components which are respectively connected to the driving piston and to the driving member of the hydraulic device. Abutment means limit spreading apart of said components to a value at which the compression of the spring corresponds to maintenance of the blood pressure normally prevailing at the end of the systole phase. The component which is connected to the driving piston is temporarily locked at the end of the forward stroke of the piston and unlocked upon substantially complete expansion of the spring.
Inventors
- 👤 Pierre Lavigne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 20:07
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M60/00; A61M60/80; A61M60/855; A61M60/89; A61M60/894; A61M60/10; A61M60/122; A61M60/196; A61M60/40; A61M60/424; A61M60/427; A61M60/438; A61M60/441; A61M60/126; A61M60/148
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
An implantable artificial heart comprising: a hydraulic transmission device for imparting a moving pressure to the blood; a prime mover having a linear displacement driving piston having a rapid working stroke; and a relaxation mechanism mechanically coupling the driving piston and the hydraulic device, said mechanism having resilient means which is compressed between a first and a second components respectively secured to said driving piston and to a driving member of the hydraulic device and whose compression corresponds to the blood pressure at the beginning of systole when said two components are in their position closest to each other, abutment means for limiting the spreading of said components to a distance at which the compression of said resilient means corresponds to the pressure at the end of the systole phase, means for temporarily locking said first component upon arrival of said piston at the end of the working stroke thereof, and a member for releasing said locking means upon substantially complete expansion of the resilient means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
An implantable artificial heart comprising: a hydraulic transmission device for imparting a moving pressure to the blood; a prime mover having a linear displacement driving piston having a rapid working stroke; and a relaxation mechanism mechanically coupling the driving piston and the hydraulic device, said mechanism having resilient means which is compressed between a first and a second components respectively secured to said driving piston and to a driving member of the hydraulic device and whose compression corresponds to the blood pressure at the beginning of systole when said two components are in their position closest to each other, abutment means for limiting the spreading of said components to a distance at which the compression of said resilient means corresponds to the pressure at the end of the systole phase, means for temporarily locking said first component upon arrival of said piston at the end of the working stroke thereof, and a member for releasing said locking means upon substantially complete expansion of the resilient means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A heart in accordance with claim 1, wherein the prime mover is a Rankine-cycle or Hirn-cycle engine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
A heart in accordance with claim 1, wherein the hydraulic device comprises a single piston which is linearly movable within a cyLinder and separates two compartments in said cylinder, diaphragm means for separating one of said compartments in two chambers, means for communicating the pressure in said two chambers to left and right ventricular blood, respectively, and means for communicating the liquid pressure in the other of said compartments to auricular blood.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A heart in accordance with claim 3, wherein said cylinder is provided with compartments having a geometry such that the return of the piston during the diastole phase is carried out without applying forces of appreciable value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A heart in accordance with claim 1, wherein the temporary-locking means comprise a catch carried by an elastic blade rigidly fixed to the component which is coupled to the driving piston and a stop which is rigidly fixed to the heart casing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A heart in accordance with claim 5, wherein the unlocking means are constituted by a stud rigidly fixed to the component which is coupled to the pump and releases the catch from the stop at the end of the expansion travel of the spring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein a radioisotope source supplies heat to the boiler of the motor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 words
An artificial heart in accordance with claim 1, wherein cooperating magnetic means are carried by the casing and by the component which is coupled to the driving piston, said magnetic means being such as to produce action especially at the end of the return stroke of the driving piston in order to return said piston to the starting position while re-compressing the driving fluid which has remained within the cylinder and while ensuring the partial lift of the vapor-admission valve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
An artificial heart in accordance with claim 1 wherein the driving piston is fitted with an exhaust valve provided with elastic means for restoring to the open position, said valve being mounted so that the pressure within the cylinder should tend to apply said valve against its seat.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
An artificial heart in accordance with claim 9, wherein said elastic means for restoring the exhaust valve are constituted by a magnetic spring.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
An artificial heart in accordance with claim 10, wherein the magnetic spring comprises a magnet carried by the piston and a magnet carried by a guide rod of the valve and the opposite poles of the two magnets have the same polarity.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
An artificial heart in accordance with claim 1, wherein abutment means carried by the piston cooperate with the moving element of said admission valve in order to lift said valve at the end of the return stroke of the piston.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
An artificial heart in accordance with claim 1, wherein elastic means carried by the piston are intended to maintain the admission valve in the open position once the moving element of said valve has been displaced from its seat by the piston.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
An artificial heart in accordance with claim 13, wherein said elastic means comprise a push-rod which is capable of moving axially within the piston and is returned by a magnetic spring to a position in which said push-rod projects from the piston towards the admission valve.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
An artificial heart in accordance with claim 1, wherein said heart comprises two identical assemblies each constituted by a hydraulic device, a motor and a relaxation mechanism, said two assemblies being disposed symmetrically along a common axis.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
An artificial heart in accordance with claim 15, wherein the two motors are placed on each side of hydraulic devices which are grouped together within a single block.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
An artificial heart in accordance with claim 16, wherein the hydraulic devices are placed on each side of motors which are grouped together in a central block and have a common admission valve.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
An artificial heart in accordance with claim 15, wherein a link-rod system is provided for synchronizing the operation of both assemblies.
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) | 1975-05-23 | 1975-11-22 | 1976-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-23 | 1979-11-22 | 1980-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-23 | 1983-11-22 | 1984-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |