US4995857A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Left ventricular assist device and method for temporary and permanent procedures
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1989-04-07
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Granted: 1991-02-26
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Expires: 2009-04-07
Abstract
Abstract A left ventricular assist device and method is utilized to relieve the hemodynamic burden on a diseased left ventricle in the heart of a patient by inserting a shunt having an impellar for effectuating a substantially non-turbulent, non-traumatic flow of blood either from the left atrium or the patient's venous system, directly into the patient's arterial system. The impellar shunt may be utilized in either a temporary or permanent implant setting.
Inventors
- 👤 John R. Arnold
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:57
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M60/00; A61M60/40; A61M60/403; A61M60/422; A61M1/00; A61M1/36; A61M1/3621; A61M1/3653; A61M1/3659; A61M60/10; A61M60/104; A61M60/109; A61M60/122; A61M60/126; A61M60/148; A61M60/165; A61M60/178; A61M60/20; A61M60/205; A61M60/216; A61M60/237; A61M60/30; A61M60/36; A61M60/38; A61M60/80; A61M60/802; A61M60/804; A61M60/818; A61M60/82; A61M60/822; A61M60/855; A61M60/857; A61M60/861; A61M60/113; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S623/00; Y10S623/902; Y10S623/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for relieving the hemodynamic burden on a diseased left ventricle in the heart of a patient, comprising the steps of: implanting a shunt within the patient's chest cavity between the interior of the patient's left atrium and the patient's major arterial system; positioning an impeller in said shunt; implanting a power source within the patient's chest cavity; and actuating said impeller with the power source so as to effectuate a substantially non-turbulent, non-traumatic flow of blood from the left atrium directly into the patient's arterial system.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for relieving the hemodynamic burden on a diseased left ventricle in the heart of a patient, comprising the steps of: implanting a shunt within the patient's chest cavity between the interior of the patient's left atrium and the patient's major arterial system; positioning an impeller in said shunt; implanting a power source within the patient's chest cavity; and actuating said impeller with the power source so as to effectuate a substantially non-turbulent, non-traumatic flow of blood from the left atrium directly into the patient's arterial system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method recited in claim 1 further comprising the steps of: suspending said impeller centrally in said shunt; and rotating said suspended impeller to effectuate said blood flow.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method recited in claim 2 wherein said shunt is generally cylindrical with a longitudinal axis therethrough.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method recited in claim 3 wherein said impeller comprises an auger having a longitudinal axis generally coaxial with said shunt axis, and wherein said rotating step comprises rotating said auger about its longitudinal axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method recited in claim 4 further comprising the step of mounting said auger within a cylindrical casing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method recited in claim 5 further comprising the steps of: affixing magnets to said casing; and placing an electrical field coil along said shunt perimeter for facilitating said suspension and rotation steps.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method recited in claim 4 further comprising the step of extending an axial passageway centrally through said auger.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method recited in claim 1, wherein said shunt is permanently implanted between the patient's left atrium and the patient's ascending aorta.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method recited in claim 1, wherein said shunt is temporarily implanted between the patient's aorta and the patient's descending arterial system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method recited in claim 9, wherein the shunt is temporarily implanted between the patient's left atrium and one of the patient's femoral arteries.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for relieving the hemodynamic burden on a diseased left ventricle in the heart of a patient, comprising the steps of: implanting a shunt between the interior of the patient's left atrium and the patient's major arterial system; positioning an impeller in said shunt; actuating said impeller so as to effectuate a substantially non-turbulent; non-traumatic flow of blood from the left atrium directly into the patient's arterial system; and varying the actuation rate of said impeller responsive to pressure in said left atrium.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for relieving the hemodynamic burden on a diseased left ventricle in the heart of a patient, comprising the steps of: implanting a shunt between the interior of the patient's left atrium and the patient's major arterial system; positioning an impeller in said shunt; actuating said impeller so as to effectuate a substantially non-turbulent; non-traumatic flow of blood from the left atrium directly into the patient's arterial system; and varying the actuation rate of said impeller responsive to pressure in said left atrium.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of anchoring said shunt to a portion of the patient's skeletal frame.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
67 words
A method for relieving the hemodynamic burden on a diseased left ventricle in the heart of a patient comprising the steps of: implanting a portable shunt within the patient's chest cavity between the patient's femoral vein and the patient's femoral artery; implanting a power source with the shunt; effectuating a substantially non-turbulent, non-traumatic flow of blood through said shunt; and oxygenating the blood passing through said shunt.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
67 words
A method for relieving the hemodynamic burden on a diseased left ventricle in the heart of a patient comprising the steps of: implanting a portable shunt within the patient's chest cavity between the patient's femoral vein and the patient's femoral artery; implanting a power source with the shunt; effectuating a substantially non-turbulent, non-traumatic flow of blood through said shunt; and oxygenating the blood passing through said shunt.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method recited in claim 13 wherein said shunt is generally tubular.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method recited in claim 14 wherein said blood effectuating step comprises the steps of: placing an impeller in said shunt; and rotting said impeller.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method recited in claim 15 further comprising the step of extending an axial passageway centrally through said auger.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus for relieving the hemodynamic burden on a diseased left ventricle in the heart of a patient, comprising: a generally tubular shunt dimensioned to extend between the wall of the patient's left atrium and the patient's arterial system; means for permitting said shunt to be joined at one end to the patient's left atrium and the other end to the patient's arterial system; an impeller in said shunt; an implantable electrical power source for operating the impeller; and means responsive to the electrical power source about the periphery of said shunt for rotating said impeller to effectuate a flow of blood between the patient's left atrium and the patient's arterial system through said shunt when inserted.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus for relieving the hemodynamic burden on a diseased left ventricle in the heart of a patient, comprising: a generally tubular shunt dimensioned to extend between the wall of the patient's left atrium and the patient's arterial system; means for permitting said shunt to be joined at one end to the patient's left atrium and the other end to the patient's arterial system; an impeller in said shunt; an implantable electrical power source for operating the impeller; and means responsive to the electrical power source about the periphery of said shunt for rotating said impeller to effectuate a flow of blood between the patient's left atrium and the patient's arterial system through said shunt when inserted.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus recited in claim 17 wherein said impeller includes a central passageway therethrough.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
127 words
Apparatus for relieving the hemodynamic burden on a diseased left ventricle in the heart of a patient, comprising: a generally tubular shunt dimensioned to extend between the wall of then patient's left atrium and the patient's arterial system; means for permitting said shunt to be joined at one end to the patient's left atrium and the other end to the patient's arterial system; an impeller in said shunt; means about the periphery of said shunt for rotating said impeller to effectuate a flow of blood between the patient's left atrium and the patient's arterial system through said shunt when inserted; pressure monitoring means for detecting the pressure in the patient's left atrium; and means for controlling the rotation of said impeller responsive to said pressure detection means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
127 words
Apparatus for relieving the hemodynamic burden on a diseased left ventricle in the heart of a patient, comprising: a generally tubular shunt dimensioned to extend between the wall of then patient's left atrium and the patient's arterial system; means for permitting said shunt to be joined at one end to the patient's left atrium and the other end to the patient's arterial system; an impeller in said shunt; means about the periphery of said shunt for rotating said impeller to effectuate a flow of blood between the patient's left atrium and the patient's arterial system through said shunt when inserted; pressure monitoring means for detecting the pressure in the patient's left atrium; and means for controlling the rotation of said impeller responsive to said pressure detection means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus recited in claim 17 wherein said impeller comprises an auger having a central passageway extending longitudinally through said tubular shunt.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus recited in claim 20 wherein said auger is further defined by a helical convolution having a concave surface and a generally flat face defining said central passageway.
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) | 1994-02-25 | 1994-08-27 | 1995-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-02-25 | 1998-08-27 | 1999-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-02-25 | 2002-08-27 | 2003-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |