US20030191357A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Temporary heart-assist system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 2002-03-26
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2022-03-26
Abstract
Abstract A balloon is positionable in the patient's descending aorta. The balloon includes a balloon catheter and two pressure sensors that electrically couple to an extra-corporeal controller. The balloon itself also couples pneumatically to the extra-corporeal controller. An extra-corporeal pump electrically couples to the extra-corporeal controller, the pump having an outlet connectable to the patient's infra-diaphragmatic artery. The pump inlet is connectable via a cannula to the patient's supra-diaphragmatic artery. A doctor inserts the balloon into the descending aorta, and positions the balloon near the level of the patient's diaphragm. A balloon catheter, coupled to the extra-corporeal controller, inflates and deflates the balloon. An electrocardiogram ECG and proximal aortic blood pressure, measured in the upper arterial compartment via a lumen in the balloon catheter, serve as inputs to cycle the balloon synchronously with the heartbeat.
Inventors
- 👤 O. Frazier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:22
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M60/00; A61M60/10; A61M60/104; A61M60/109; A61M60/122; A61M60/126; A61M60/135; A61M60/139; A61M60/20; A61M60/205; A61M60/216; A61M60/226; A61M60/232; A61M60/237; A61M60/295; A61M60/40; A61M60/497; A61M60/50; A61M60/508; A61M60/515; A61M60/531; A61M2205/00; A61M2205/33; A61M2205/3303; A61M2230/00; A61M2230/04; A61M2230/30; A61M60/247; A61M60/253; A61M60/268; A61M60/274
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
1 . A method for temporarily assisting a heart of a patient, the patient wearing ECG sensors with attached electrodes, the method comprising the steps of: a. inserting an occluding device, having a pressure sensor, into the patient's descending aorta; b. positioning the occluding device near the level of the patient's diaphragm; c. coupling the occluding device to an extra-corporeal controller; and d. opening and closing the balloon in response to signals from the ECG electrodes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
1 . A method for temporarily assisting a heart of a patient, the patient wearing ECG sensors with attached electrodes, the method comprising the steps of: a. inserting an occluding device, having a pressure sensor, into the patient's descending aorta; b. positioning the occluding device near the level of the patient's diaphragm; c. coupling the occluding device to an extra-corporeal controller; and d. opening and closing the balloon in response to signals from the ECG electrodes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of closing occurs just prior to the start of cardiac systole and ventricular ejection.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
3 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of using an extra-corporeal pump to continuously pump blood from a patient's supra-diaphragmatic artery to an infra-diaphragmatic artery.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein in the step of continuously pumping blood, the pumping flow rate varies in response to the end-systolic pressure measured in the upper arterial compartment of the patient's body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the extra-corporeal controller a) causes the occluding device to intermittently occlude the aorta, synchronously with the patient's cardiac cycle, and b) causes the extra-corporeal pump to pump blood from the patient's proximal to the distal aorta at a rate sufficient to pressure and volume unload the patient's failing left ventricle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the extra-corporeal controller decreases the flow rate and RPM of the extra-corporeal pump when it opens the occluding device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein an inlet cannula of the extra-corporeal pump is inserted through an aortic valve into the left ventricle, the inlet cannula having holes along a length of it positioned in the aorta, and a hole in a tip, which is positioned in the left ventricle, for providing direct unloading of the left ventricle, and after-load reduction in the aorta.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
98 words
8 . A method for temporarily assisting a heart of a patient, the patient wearing ECG sensors with attached electrodes, the method comprising the steps of: a. inserting a balloon, having a balloon catheter and two pressure sensors, into the patient's descending aorta; b. positioning the balloon near the level of the patient's diaphragm; c. coupling the balloon catheter to an extra-corporeal controller; d. inflating the balloon in response to signals from the ECG electrodes, and the two pressure sensors; and e. deflating the balloon in response to signals from the ECG electrodes, and the two pressure sensors.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
98 words
8 . A method for temporarily assisting a heart of a patient, the patient wearing ECG sensors with attached electrodes, the method comprising the steps of: a. inserting a balloon, having a balloon catheter and two pressure sensors, into the patient's descending aorta; b. positioning the balloon near the level of the patient's diaphragm; c. coupling the balloon catheter to an extra-corporeal controller; d. inflating the balloon in response to signals from the ECG electrodes, and the two pressure sensors; and e. deflating the balloon in response to signals from the ECG electrodes, and the two pressure sensors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the step of inflating occurs just prior to the start of cardiac systole and ventricular ejection.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising the step of using an extra-corporeal pump to continuously pump blood from a patient's supra-diaphragmatic artery to an infra-diaphragmatic artery.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein in the step of continuously pumping blood, the pumping flow rate varies in response to the end-systolic pressure measured in the upper arterial compartment of the patient's body.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the extra-corporeal controller a) causes the balloon to intermittently occlude the aorta, synchronously with the patient's cardiac cycle, and b) causes the extra-corporeal pump to pump blood from the patient's proximal to the distal aorta at a rate sufficient to pressure and volume unload the patient's failing left ventricle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the extra-corporeal controller decreases the flow rate and RPM of the extra-corporeal pump when it deflates the balloon.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
82 words
14 . A method for temporarily assisting a heart of a patient, the patient wearing ECG sensors with attached electrodes, and the patient also having an intra-aortic occluding device having two pressure sensors, the method comprising the steps of: a. opening and closing the intra-aortic occluding device by an extra-corporeal controller in response to signals from the ECG electrodes and the two pressure sensors; and b. continuously pumping blood by an extra-corporeal pump from a patient's supra-diaphragmatic artery to an infra-diaphragmatic artery
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
82 words
14 . A method for temporarily assisting a heart of a patient, the patient wearing ECG sensors with attached electrodes, and the patient also having an intra-aortic occluding device having two pressure sensors, the method comprising the steps of: a. opening and closing the intra-aortic occluding device by an extra-corporeal controller in response to signals from the ECG electrodes and the two pressure sensors; and b. continuously pumping blood by an extra-corporeal pump from a patient's supra-diaphragmatic artery to an infra-diaphragmatic artery
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the step of closing occurs just prior to the start of the patient's cardiac systole and ventricular ejection.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the pumping flow rate varies in response to the end-systolic pressure measured in the upper arterial compartment of the patient's body.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
59 words
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the extra-corporeal controller a) causes the occluding device to intermittently occlude the aorta, synchronously with the patient's cardiac cycle, and b) causes the extra-corporeal pump to pump blood from the patient's proximal to the distal aorta at a rate sufficient to pressure and volume unload the patient's failing left ventricle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
18 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the extra-corporeal controller decreases the flow rate and RPM of the extra-corporeal pump when it opens the occluding device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
100 words
19 . A method for temporarily assisting a heart of a patient, the patient wearing ECG sensors with attached electrodes, and the patient also having an intra-aortic balloon having two pressure sensors, the method comprising the steps of: a. inflating the intra-aortic balloon by an extra-corporeal controller in response to signals from the ECG electrodes and the two pressure sensors; b. deflating the intra-aortic balloon by an extra-corporeal controller in response to signals from the ECG electrodes and the two pressure sensors; and C. continuously pumping blood by an extra-corporeal pump from a patient's supra-diaphragmatic artery to an infra-diaphragmatic artery.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
100 words
19 . A method for temporarily assisting a heart of a patient, the patient wearing ECG sensors with attached electrodes, and the patient also having an intra-aortic balloon having two pressure sensors, the method comprising the steps of: a. inflating the intra-aortic balloon by an extra-corporeal controller in response to signals from the ECG electrodes and the two pressure sensors; b. deflating the intra-aortic balloon by an extra-corporeal controller in response to signals from the ECG electrodes and the two pressure sensors; and C. continuously pumping blood by an extra-corporeal pump from a patient's supra-diaphragmatic artery to an infra-diaphragmatic artery.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the step of inflating occurs at the onset or during the patient's cardiac systole and ventricular ejection.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the pumping flow rate varies in response to the end-systolic pressure measured in the upper arterial compartment of the patient's body.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
58 words
22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the extra-corporeal controller a) causes the balloon to intermittently occlude the aorta, synchronously with the patient's cardiac cycle, and b) causes the extra-corporeal pump to pump blood from the patient's proximal to the distal aorta at a rate sufficient to pressure and volume unload the patient's failing left ventricle.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
23 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the extra-corporeal controller decreases the flow rate and RPM of the extra-corporeal pump when it deflates the balloon.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
75 words
24 . A temporary heart-assist system comprising: a. an occluding device positionable in a patient's descending aorta, the occluding device having a pressure sensor; b. an extra-corporeal controller electrically connectable to ECG electrodes and to the pressure sensor, and coupled to the occluding device; c. an extra-corporeal pump electrically coupled to the extra-corporeal controller, the pump having an inlet connectable to a patient's supra-diaphragmatic artery, and having an outlet connectable to the patient's infra-diaphragmatic artery.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
75 words
24 . A temporary heart-assist system comprising: a. an occluding device positionable in a patient's descending aorta, the occluding device having a pressure sensor; b. an extra-corporeal controller electrically connectable to ECG electrodes and to the pressure sensor, and coupled to the occluding device; c. an extra-corporeal pump electrically coupled to the extra-corporeal controller, the pump having an inlet connectable to a patient's supra-diaphragmatic artery, and having an outlet connectable to the patient's infra-diaphragmatic artery.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
60 words
25 . The temporary heart-assist system of claim 24 , wherein the extra-corporeal controller a) causes the occluding device to intermittently occlude the aorta, synchronously with the patient's cardiac cycle, and b) causes the extra-corporeal pump to pump blood from the proximal to the distal aorta at a rate sufficient to pressure and volume unload the patient's failing left ventricle.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
26 . The temporary heart-assist system of claim 25 , wherein the extra-corporeal controller decreases the flow rate and RPM of the extra-corporeal pump when it opens the occluding device.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
27 . The temporary heart-assist system of claim 26 , wherein the pump is an axial flow pump.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
28 . The temporary heart-assist system of claim 27 , wherein the pump is a centrifugal flow pump.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
74 words
29 . A temporary heart-assist system comprising: a. a balloon positionable in a patient's descending aorta, the balloon having two pressure sensors; b. an extra-corporeal controller electrically connectable to ECG electrodes and to the two pressure sensors, and pneumatically coupled to the balloon; c. an extra-corporeal pump electrically coupled to the extra-corporeal controller, the pump having an inlet connectable to a patient's supra-diaphragmatic artery, and having an outlet connectable to the patient's infra-diaphragmatic artery.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
74 words
29 . A temporary heart-assist system comprising: a. a balloon positionable in a patient's descending aorta, the balloon having two pressure sensors; b. an extra-corporeal controller electrically connectable to ECG electrodes and to the two pressure sensors, and pneumatically coupled to the balloon; c. an extra-corporeal pump electrically coupled to the extra-corporeal controller, the pump having an inlet connectable to a patient's supra-diaphragmatic artery, and having an outlet connectable to the patient's infra-diaphragmatic artery.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
58 words
30 . The temporary heart-assist system of claim 29 wherein the extra-corporeal controller a) causes the balloon to intermittently occlude the aorta, synchronously with the patient's cardiac cycle, and b) causes the extra-corporeal pump to pump blood from the proximal to the distal aorta at a rate sufficient to pressure and volume unload the patient's failing left ventricle.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
31 . The temporary heart-assist system of claim 30 , wherein the extra-corporeal controller decreases the flow rate and RPM of the extra-corporeal pump when it deflates the balloon.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
18 words
32 . The temporary heart-assist system of claim 31 , wherein the pump is an axial flow pump.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
18 words
33 . The temporary heart-assist system of claim 32 , wherein the pump is a centrifugal flow pump.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
73 words
34 . The temporary heart-assist system of claim 33 , wherein the inlet connectable to a patient's supra-diaphragmatic artery is an inlet cannula, connectable through an aortic valve into the left ventricle, the inlet cannula having holes along a length of it, positionable in the aorta, and a hole in a tip, which is positionable in the left ventricle, for providing direct unloading of the left ventricle, and after-load reduction in the aorta.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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