Patent · US Expired

Temporary blood circulation assist device

US6981942B2 · kind B2 · utility

291Cited by
5References
46Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 19, 2002
Grant dateJan 3, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 29, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61M60/148
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An inflatable circulation assist device is disclosed consisting of an inflatable stator housing an impeller with inflatable blades of varying shapes and sizes. The invention is introduced into the patient percutaneously. The circulation assist device is a small pump packaged into a compact form that is attached to a long flexible driveshaft. The pump is inserted along a guidewire to a target location, and then the pump is inflated. The circulation assist device's exterior is designed to expand only so much as to closely fit whatever cardiovascular system element in which it is placed for operation. The vascular assist device can be expanded either by inflation with a fluid. The driveshaft, which connects to the circulation assist device's impeller and extends outside the patient's body, is rotated by an external motor. After the circulation assist device is no longer needed, it is collapsed into a compact form and removed from the patient percutaneously.

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