Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for perfusing a body organ or tissue containing a body fluid, comprising the steps of forming a catheter having an inflatable portion and enclosing a fluid adapted to be pulsated, inserting the inflatable portion of the fluid-filled catheter into a vessel within the organ or tissue, and pulsating the fluid enclosed within the catheter at a frequency substantially greater than the normal pulsation frequency of the heart for transmitting pulsatile energy and for producing an amplified dynamic pressure wave form in the body fluid in response to inflation and deflation of the inflatable catheter portion to increase the penetration of the body fluid into the microcirculatory resistance vessels within the body tissue or organ.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for perfusing a body organ or tissue containing a body fluid, comprising the steps of forming a catheter having an inflatable portion and enclosing a fluid adapted to be pulsated, inserting the inflatable portion of the fluid-filled catheter into a vessel within the organ or tissue, and pulsating the fluid enclosed within the catheter at a frequency substantially greater than the normal pulsation frequency of the heart for transmitting pulsatile energy and for producing an amplified dynamic pressure wave form in the body fluid in response to inflation and deflation of the inflatable catheter portion to increase the penetration of the body fluid into the microcirculatory resistance vessels within the body tissue or organ.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as defined in claim 1 and including the steps of monitoring the pulsation of the heart, and producing repetitive trains of pulses in timed relation with the pulsation of the heart.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as defined in claim 2 wherein the repetitive trains of pulses are produced during the diastolic period and/or isometric contraction period of the heart.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as defined in claim 1 and including the step of selecting the amplitude and frequency of pulsation in accordance with a specific physiological requirement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as defined in claim 1 and including the step of repetitively inflating and deflating the inflatable catheter portion in timed relation with heart pulses for generating and transmitting amplified pressure waves into tissue areas or organs during selected portions of the cardiac cycle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as defined in claim 1 and including the step of producing pressure waves with sufficient amplitude to open previously collapsed small vessels within the tissue or organ.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as defined in claim 1 including the steps of monitoring the aortic blood pressure and the heart pulse of a patient, producing a visual display of the blood pressure and heart pulse, and pulsating the blood at the substantially greater frequency and in timed relation with the pulsation of the heart.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined in claim 1 and including the step of injecting a predetermined volume of medication in timed relation with the pulsating of the liquid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for perfusing a body organ or tissue containing a body fluid, comprising a catheter having an inflatable portion and enclosing a fluid adapted to be pulsated, the inflatable portion of the fluid-filled catheter adapted to be inserted into a vessel within the organ or tissue, and means for pulsating the fluid within the catheter at a frequency substantially greater than the normal pulsation frequency of the heart for transmitting pulsatile energy and for producing an amplified dynamic pressure wave form in the body fluid in response to inflation and deflation of the inflatable catheter portion to increase the penetration of the body fluid into the microcirculatory resistance vessels within the body tissue or organ.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for perfusing a body organ or tissue containing a body fluid, comprising a catheter having an inflatable portion and enclosing a fluid adapted to be pulsated, the inflatable portion of the fluid-filled catheter adapted to be inserted into a vessel within the organ or tissue, and means for pulsating the fluid within the catheter at a frequency substantially greater than the normal pulsation frequency of the heart for transmitting pulsatile energy and for producing an amplified dynamic pressure wave form in the body fluid in response to inflation and deflation of the inflatable catheter portion to increase the penetration of the body fluid into the microcirculatory resistance vessels within the body tissue or organ.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9 and including control means for operating said pulsating means in timed relation with the heart pulsation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said inflatable portion of the catheter defines an annular chamber surrounding a tubular catheter portion defining a passage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9 including means for injecting a medication fluid through the catheter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9 including means for sensing the pulsating of the heart, and time delay means for actuating said pulsating means in response to operation of said sensing means.