Patent · US Expired

Power assisted prosthetic heart valve

US4979955A · kind A · utility

139Cited by
14References
15Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 6, 1988
Grant dateDec 25, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 6, 2008

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/785
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A power assisted mechanism is applied to prosthetic valves as a way of initiating closure of the valve at the appropriate moment in the pump cycle to minimize regurgitation, to create an electromagnetic force to decelerate completion of valve closure to minimize traumatic hemolysis of red blood cells, and to provide a negative charge to the valve as a way of repelling red blood cells and platelets to reduce thrombogenic phenomena and to provide a cushioning force field effect to reduce red blood cell hemolysis associated with turbulent flow across the valve. In one embodiment, a known tilting disc valve comprising an annular frame or cage and a disc pivotably mounted thereon has a fixed electromagnet attached to the annular frame and a permanent magnet attached to the tilting disc. When energized, the resultant magnetic field will repel the permanent magnet located on the free floating disc thereby closing the valve. An important feature of the present invention involves determining the appropriate moment in the cardiac cycle to initiate active closure of the valve. In a preferred method of triggering or initiating closure of the valve, the electrical activity of the heart is monit…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.