US4968293A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Circulatory assist device
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
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Filing: 1989-03-20
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Granted: 1990-11-06
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Expires: 2009-03-20
Abstract
Abstract An assist device for the heart comprises a continuous flow pump for moving blood through a vessel and a muscle powered device for supplying pulsatility to the flow of blood, to simulate human heart pumping action.
Inventors
- 👤 Glen D. Nelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:16
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M60/00; A61M60/80; A61M60/855; A61M60/871; A61M60/882; A61M60/10; A61M60/122; A61M60/126; A61M60/152; A61M60/20; A61M60/205; A61M60/216; A61M60/226; A61M60/232; A61M60/40; A61M60/403; A61M60/50; A61M60/508; A61M60/515; A61M60/562; A61M60/569; A61M2205/00; A61M2205/33; A61M2205/3303; A61M60/148; A61M60/247; A61M60/253; A61M60/268; A61M60/274
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
36 words
A device for assisting cardiac output comprising: implantable pump means for providing continuous pumping of blood through a blood vessel; and means for providing pulsatility in the flow of blood provided by the continuous pump means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
36 words
A device for assisting cardiac output comprising: implantable pump means for providing continuous pumping of blood through a blood vessel; and means for providing pulsatility in the flow of blood provided by the continuous pump means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the means for providing pulsatility includes skeletal muscle for contracting to provide the pulsatility and an electrical tissue stimulator for stimulating the skeletal muscle to contract.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 2 further comprising a sensor electrically connected to the stimulator and means within the stimulator for timing, based upon signals from the sensor, for stimulation of the muscle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of claim 2 further comprising internal means in the stimulator for storing parameters upon which decisions are made to stimulate skeletal muscle and an extracorporeal programmer for communicating with the stimulator by telemetry for storing parameters within the stimulator.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
39 words
A method of assisting output of the heart comprising: providing a continuous output implantable pump for moving blood through a vessel; applying pulses to the blood flowing in the vessel to simulate the pulsatility of a naturally pumping heart.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
39 words
A method of assisting output of the heart comprising: providing a continuous output implantable pump for moving blood through a vessel; applying pulses to the blood flowing in the vessel to simulate the pulsatility of a naturally pumping heart.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the applying of pulses includes: supplying an electrical signal to contract natural skeletal muscle to supply the pulse to the moving blood.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of assisting the output of a heart comprising: providing a continuous pump to move blood through a human vessel; sensing contraction of the heart and providing a signal indicative of a heart contraction; providing a pulse to blood moving in the vessel based upon the signal from the sensor.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of assisting the output of a heart comprising: providing a continuous pump to move blood through a human vessel; sensing contraction of the heart and providing a signal indicative of a heart contraction; providing a pulse to blood moving in the vessel based upon the signal from the sensor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device of claim 2 further comprising: means in the tissue stimulator for receiving a delay parameter telemetered extracorporeally; means for storing the delay parameter; means for sensing a heartbeat; and means for determining, based upon the stored delay parameter, a delay time between heartbeat and stimulation of the muscle.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of assisting the output of the heart comprising: providing a continuous pump to move blood through a human vessel; providing means for supplying pulsatility to blood flow through flexing a natural skeletal muscle; providing means for stimulating the skeletal muscle for flexing the muscle; means for sensing the contraction of the heart and for providing a signal indicative of the heart contraction; means for extracorporeally telemetering to the means for stimulating a delay signal; and sensing a contraction of the heart and, based upon the delay signal, and providing a stimulating pulse to the muscle.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of assisting the output of the heart comprising: providing a continuous pump to move blood through a human vessel; providing means for supplying pulsatility to blood flow through flexing a natural skeletal muscle; providing means for stimulating the skeletal muscle for flexing the muscle; means for sensing the contraction of the heart and for providing a signal indicative of the heart contraction; means for extracorporeally telemetering to the means for stimulating a delay signal; and sensing a contraction of the heart and, based upon the delay signal, and providing a stimulating pulse to the muscle.
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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) | 1993-11-05 | 1994-05-07 | 1994-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-11-05 | 1998-05-07 | 1998-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-11-05 | 2002-05-07 | 2002-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |