US5372573A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Blood flow
Assignee: BTG International Ltd
•
Filing: 1990-06-19
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Granted: 1994-12-13
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Expires: 2010-06-19
Abstract
Abstract A provision of improving the flow of blood through a region of increased impedance is disclosed. The provision comprises assisting blood flow is said region by means of a pump placed in or around a blood vessel supplying blood to said area, and acting to pump blood in the required direction. The pump (1) comprises, in one embodiment, a housing (2) annularly surrounding a compressible conduit (3), said housing (2) containing a plurality of flexible inflatable containers (4) mounted for contact with said conduit (3) (e.g. a blood vessel) and means for effecting sequential inflation and deflation of said containers (4) so as to create a peristaltic pumping effect.
Inventors
- 👤 Nagy A. Habib
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:31
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04B; F04B43/00; F04B43/08; F04B43/082; A; A61; A61M; A61M60/00; A61M60/10; A61M60/122; A61M60/126; A61M60/135; A61M60/148; A61M60/161; A61M60/20; A61M60/247; A61M60/253; A61M60/268; A61M60/279; A61M60/284; A61M60/289; A61M60/30; A61M60/31; A61M60/40; A61M60/424; A61M60/427; A61M60/465; A61M60/468; A61M60/50; A61M60/508; A61M60/515; A61M60/531; A61M60/538; A61M60/554; A61M60/80; A61M60/839; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00681; A61B2017/00685; A61M60/43
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of treating the hepatic portal vein or hepatic pedicle to improve the blood flow therethrough against increased impedance caused by abnormality of the liver, said method comprising the steps of: placing a pump in communication with the hepatic portal vein or hepatic pedicle; and actuating said pump to improve blood flow through said hepatic portal vein or hepatic pedicle and thereby improve blood flow through the liver.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of treating the hepatic portal vein or hepatic pedicle to improve the blood flow therethrough against increased impedance caused by abnormality of the liver, said method comprising the steps of: placing a pump in communication with the hepatic portal vein or hepatic pedicle; and actuating said pump to improve blood flow through said hepatic portal vein or hepatic pedicle and thereby improve blood flow through the liver.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pump is an Archimedes screw pump.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pump is a peristaltic-type pump.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said Archimedes screw pump is located within a prosthesis which is inserted into or grafted between sections of said hepatic portal vein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed claim 3, wherein said peristaltic-type pump generates its peristaltic effect by a roller action.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed claim 3, wherein said peristaltic-type pump uses hydraulic or pneumatic power to generate its peristaltic effect.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said peristaltic type pump uses pneumatic power provided via an air compressor located outside the body of the patient.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed claim 6, wherein said peristaltic-type pump comprises a jacket, sheath or collar which surrounds said hepatic portal vein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said jacket, sheath or collar is divided into three annular compartments, and wherein each of said compartments is supplied independently with its own pneumatic or hydraulic supply.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
75 words
A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein said compartments are inflated and deflated sequentially as shown by the following table, compartment 1 being the distal and compartment 3 being the most proximal with respect to said area of impedance, D indicating deflation and I indicating inflation: ______________________________________
Time
Compartment
t.sub.1 t.sub.2
t.sub.3 t.sub.4
t.sub.5
______________________________________
1 I I D D I
2 D I I D D
3 D D I D D
______________________________________
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a section of said blood vessel is removed and replaced by a jacket, sheath or collar, and blood is caused to flow by the combination of inflation of said jacket, sheath or collar and one-way valves at both ends of the jacket.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein operation of said pump is controlled by a microprocessor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said microprocessor is located at skin level close to the site of the blood vessel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said microprocessor is located externally in a housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
75 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressure in said blood vessel either side of said pump is monitored by means of first and second sensors, said first sensor being located so as to sense the prevailing pressure in that segment of said blood vessel upstream of said pump and said second sensor being located so as to sense the prevailing pressure in that segment of said blood vessel downstream of said pump.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said first and second sensors are connected to said microprocessor so as to control the action of said pump within preset pressure limits.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said abnormality of the liver is cirrhosis of the liver, liver insufficiency or atherosclerosis of the renal artery.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pump is housed in a prosthesis which is inserted into the hepatic portal vein.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pump is housed in a prosthesis which is grafted between sections of the hepatic portal vein.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pump is placed in or around the hepatic portal vein or hepatic pedicle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pump comprises a housing means for annularly surrounding said hepatic portal vein, said housing means containing a plurality of flexible, inflatable containers mounted for contact with said hepatic portal vein and means for effecting sequential inflation and deflation of said containers so as to create a peristaltic pumping effect.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein said housing means is divided parallel to the direction of said flow of blood so that it, may be placed around said hepatic portal vein.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein said means for sequential inflation and deflation comprises a pressure source, a pressure regulator, a microprocessor and a microcomputer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said means for sequential inflation and deflation further comprises microelectro valves.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 22, wherein said housing means is formed of a substantially rigid plastic material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein said containers are formed of a substantially extendable plastic material.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein said containers lie parallel to one another and perpendicular to the direction of said blood flow.
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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) | 1997-12-12 | 1998-06-13 | 1998-12-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-12-12 | 2002-06-13 | 2002-12-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-12-12 | 2006-06-13 | 2006-12-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |