Cardiac assist method using an inflatable vest
US6752771B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 29, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jun 22, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 21, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61H2230/04
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and device are disclosed for inflating an inflatable vest to assist the heart in patients suffering from heart failure. The inflation of the vest is synchronized with on-set of the systole phase of the heart, when the left ventricular compresses to force blood out of the heart and through the aorta. The inflated vest compresses the patient's chest and increases the intrathoracic pressure. This increase in pressure assists the heart in moving blood out of the heart and through the aorta. In addition, the vest is arranged to leave the patient's abdomen free of restraint so that the increase in intrathoracic pressure due to the vest moves blood into the abdomen, and to allow the abdomen to dynamically recoil in response to the vest inflation. In addition, ECG signals from electrodes applied to the patient are processed to trigger the vest inflation in real time with the current heartbeat cycle, such that the vest inflation is triggered when the heart begins to contract.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.