US3815577A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bacterial seals
Assignee: Investors in Ventures Inc
•
Filing: 1972-07-10
•
Granted: 1974-06-11
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Expires: 1992-07-10
Abstract
Abstract Bacterial seals for humans, animals, and the like. An outer sleeve extends through a body opening from the exterior of the body to an interior space therein, this outer sleeve having a tight, intimate engagement with body tissue so that is is securely connected with the tissue. An elongated member is situated within and surrounded by the sleeve and has an extremely close precise fit with the sleeve at the interface between the exterior surface of the elongated member and the interior surface of the sleeve. Through this elongated member it is possible to have any desired type of communication between the exterior of the body and the internal space. A barrier is located at the interface between the elongated member and the sleeve for preventing any bacteriological contamination of the interior body space from the exterior.
Inventors
- 👤 L Bucalo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:07
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M39/00; A61M39/02; A61M39/0247; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/0004; A61F2/0009; A61F6/00; A61F6/20; A61F6/22; A61F6/24; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L27/02; A61L27/04; A61L27/047; A61M2039/0261; A61M2039/027; A61M2039/0285
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
For use in the body of a human being, animal, or the like, outer sleeve means for lining a body opening extending from the exterior thereof to an internal body space, said sleeve means having opposed open ends respectively adapted to be situated at the exterior of the body and the internal body space and having an uninterrupted hollow interior extending between said opposed open ends, and said sleeve means carrying on its exterior surface a means for providing a tight, sealed engagement between tissue of the body and the exterior surface of said sleeve means, an elongated member situated in and surrounded by said sleeve means, said elongated member having at an exterior surface thereof a close, precise fit in said sleeve means at an inner surface of said sleeve means which defines an interface with said exterior surface of said elongated member, and barrier means situated at said interface between said elongated member and sleeve means for preventing bacteriological communication between the exterior of the body and the internal space thereof to achieve a bacteriological seal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
For use in the body of a human being, animal, or the like, outer sleeve means for lining a body opening extending from the exterior thereof to an internal body space, said sleeve means having opposed open ends respectively adapted to be situated at the exterior of the body and the internal body space and having an uninterrupted hollow interior extending between said opposed open ends, and said sleeve means carrying on its exterior surface a means for providing a tight, sealed engagement between tissue of the body and the exterior surface of said sleeve means, an elongated member situated in and surrounded by said sleeve means, said elongated member having at an exterior surface thereof a close, precise fit in said sleeve means at an inner surface of said sleeve means which defines an interface with said exterior surface of said elongated member, and barrier means situated at said interface between said elongated member and sleeve means for preventing bacteriological communication between the exterior of the body and the internal space thereof to achieve a bacteriological seal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The combination of claim 1 and wherein one of said surfaces is formed with a groove and the other of said surfaces is formed with an annular projection extending into and filling said groove with a fit sufficiently tight and precise for providing said barrier means while permitting said elongated member to turn in said sleeve means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 2 and wherein said sleeve means has a deposited fit on said elongated member at said interface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 3 and wherein said groove is formed in said member and said projection is formed on said sleeve means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 4 and wherein said sleeve means is in the form of deposited gold.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
The combination of claim 5 and wherein said means for achieving said tight engagement between the exterior of said sleeve means and the body tissue is in the form of fine gold filamentary material surrounding said sleeve means at its exterior and situated between the latter and the body tissue for promoting growth of the latter into intimate contact with the exterior surface of said sleeve means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The combination of claim 1 and wherein said barrIer means is in the form of an annular groove formed at the exterior of said elongated member at said interface between the latter and said sleeve means, and an antibiotic material encapsulated in said groove to prevent travel of bacteria past said groove.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
The combination of claim 7 and wherein said elongated member is formed at an outer end thereof which is accessible at the exterior of the body with a recess and with a bore extending from said recess to said groove so that the antibiotic material may be replenished through said bore, and closure means situated at said recess for releasably closing the latter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
70 words
The combination of claim 1 and wherein said sleeve means forms a valve housing having openings situated in the body space, and said elongated member forming part of a valve member rotatable in said housing, the close fit between the latter and said valve member being sufficient to remove during turning of said valve member deposits which form on the exterior surface of said valve member through said housing openings.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
The combination of claim 1 and wherein said elongated member is adapted to be operatively connected within the body to an instrument implanted therein and requiring adjustment from time to time, said combination further including scale means situated at said sleeve means and valve member and visible at the exterior of the body for indicating the adjustment made by turning said elongated member in said sleeve means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination of claim 1 and wherein an elongated electrical conductor means extends through said elongated member and is fluid-tightly carried thereby for providing an electrical connection between the interior and exterior of the body.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination of claim 1 and wherein said elongated member is formed with an elongated bore extending therethrough, and said member carrying at an inner end region a window through which the inner space of the body would be visible when said combination is implanted.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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Cited
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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) | 1977-06-10 | 1977-12-10 | 1978-06-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-10 | 1981-12-10 | 1982-06-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-10 | 1985-12-10 | 1986-06-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |