US4685446A
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Method for using a ventricular assist device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1984-02-21
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Granted: 1987-08-11
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Expires: 2004-02-21
Abstract
Abstract A left ventricular assist device consisting of a balloon inflated and deflated sequentially to coincide with ventricular systole and diastole, respectively, placed within the left ventricle, thereby augmenting ejection of blood.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel S. J. Choy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:43
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M60/00; A61M60/10; A61M60/122; A61M60/165; A61M60/17; A61M60/126; A61M60/13; A61M60/148; A61M60/20; A61M60/295; A61M60/40; A61M60/497; A61M60/80; A61M60/841; A61M60/843
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for using a ventricular assist device having a catheter with a proximal end and a distal end, a pump secured to the proximal end, and an inflatable balloon secured to the distal end, the pump being capable of inflating the balloon, comprising the steps of: pushing the balloon through a mitral valve into the left ventricle of a patient's heart; inflating the balloon during left ventricular systole with the catheter extending through the mitral valve; deflating the balloon during left ventricular diastole with the catheter extending through the mitral valve; and repeating the inflating and deflating steps.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for using a ventricular assist device having a catheter with a proximal end and a distal end, a pump secured to the proximal end, and an inflatable balloon secured to the distal end, the pump being capable of inflating the balloon, comprising the steps of: pushing the balloon through a mitral valve into the left ventricle of a patient's heart; inflating the balloon during left ventricular systole with the catheter extending through the mitral valve; deflating the balloon during left ventricular diastole with the catheter extending through the mitral valve; and repeating the inflating and deflating steps.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for using a ventricular assist device having a catheter with a proximal end and a distal end, a pump secured to the proximal end, and an inflatable balloon secured to the distal end, the pump being capable of inflating the balloon, comprising the steps of: pushing the balloon through an aortic valve into the left ventricle of a patient's heart; inflating the balloon during left ventricular systole with the catheter extending through the aortic valve; deflating the balloon during left ventricular diastole with the catheter extending through the aortic valve; and repeating the inflating and deflating steps.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for using a ventricular assist device having a catheter with a proximal end and a distal end, a pump secured to the proximal end, and an inflatable balloon secured to the distal end, the pump being capable of inflating the balloon, comprising the steps of: pushing the balloon through an aortic valve into the left ventricle of a patient's heart; inflating the balloon during left ventricular systole with the catheter extending through the aortic valve; deflating the balloon during left ventricular diastole with the catheter extending through the aortic valve; and repeating the inflating and deflating steps.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for using a ventricular assist device having a catheter with a proximal end and a distal end, a pump secured to the proximal end, and an inflatable balloon secured to the distal end, the pump being capable of inflating the balloon, comprising the steps of: implanting the pump within an envelope of skeletal muscle within the patient's body; implanting the catheter within the patient's body; inserting the balloon into a left ventricle of the patient's heart; inflating the balloon during left ventricular systole; deflating the balloon during left ventricular diastole; and repeating the inflating and deflating steps.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for using a ventricular assist device having a catheter with a proximal end and a distal end, a pump secured to the proximal end, and an inflatable balloon secured to the distal end, the pump being capable of inflating the balloon, comprising the steps of: implanting the pump within an envelope of skeletal muscle within the patient's body; implanting the catheter within the patient's body; inserting the balloon into a left ventricle of the patient's heart; inflating the balloon during left ventricular systole; deflating the balloon during left ventricular diastole; and repeating the inflating and deflating steps.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as recited in claim 3 further comprising the steps of: sensing the cardiac electrical cycle; and stimulating the muscle based upon the cardiac electrical cycle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as recited in claim 4, wherein the sensing step includes sensing the cardiac electrical cycle at a sinus node of the patient.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for using a ventricular assist device having a catheter with a proximal end and a distal end, a pump secured to the proximal end, and an inflatable balloon secured to the distal end, the pump being capable of inflating the balloon, comprising the steps of: determining a maximum end systolic margin of the left ventricle of the patient's heart; sizing the balloon so that the balloon is smaller than the maximum end systolic margin; inserting the balloon into the left ventricle of the patient's heart; inflating the balloon during left ventricular systole; deflating the balloon during left ventricular diastole; and repeating the inflating and deflating steps.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for using a ventricular assist device having a catheter with a proximal end and a distal end, a pump secured to the proximal end, and an inflatable balloon secured to the distal end, the pump being capable of inflating the balloon, comprising the steps of: determining a maximum end systolic margin of the left ventricle of the patient's heart; sizing the balloon so that the balloon is smaller than the maximum end systolic margin; inserting the balloon into the left ventricle of the patient's heart; inflating the balloon during left ventricular systole; deflating the balloon during left ventricular diastole; and repeating the inflating and deflating steps.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for using a ventricular assist device having a catheter with a proximal end and a distal end, a pump secured to the proximal end, and an inflatable balloon secured to the distal end, the pump being capable of inflating the balloon, comprising the steps of: determining a dead volume at the end of left ventricular systole; inserting the balloon into a left ventricle of the patient's heart; inflating the balloon during left ventricular systole to completely fill the dead volume; deflating the balloon during left ventricular diastole; and repeating the inflating and deflating steps.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for using a ventricular assist device having a catheter with a proximal end and a distal end, a pump secured to the proximal end, and an inflatable balloon secured to the distal end, the pump being capable of inflating the balloon, comprising the steps of: determining a dead volume at the end of left ventricular systole; inserting the balloon into a left ventricle of the patient's heart; inflating the balloon during left ventricular systole to completely fill the dead volume; deflating the balloon during left ventricular diastole; and repeating the inflating and deflating steps.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for using a ventricular assist device having a catheter with a proximal end and a distal end, a pump secured to the proximal end, and an inflatable balloon secured to the distal end, the pump being capable of inflating the balloon, comprising the steps of: inserting the balloon into a left ventricle of the patient's heart; introducing mercury into the balloon through the catheter to achieve neutral bouyancy at maximal inflation; inflating the balloon during left ventricular systole; deflating the balloon during left ventricular diastole; and repeating the inflating and deflating steps.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for using a ventricular assist device having a catheter with a proximal end and a distal end, a pump secured to the proximal end, and an inflatable balloon secured to the distal end, the pump being capable of inflating the balloon, comprising the steps of: inserting the balloon into a left ventricle of the patient's heart; introducing mercury into the balloon through the catheter to achieve neutral bouyancy at maximal inflation; inflating the balloon during left ventricular systole; deflating the balloon during left ventricular diastole; and repeating the inflating and deflating steps.
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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) | 1990-08-10 | 1991-02-09 | 1991-08-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-08-10 | 1995-02-09 | 1995-08-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-08-10 | 1999-02-09 | 1999-08-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |