Method for preventing thrombus formation
First Claim
1. A method for preventing thrombus formation or reducing the risk of thrombus formation in a patient at risk for thrombus formation, said method comprising providing the patient with a source of energy near, adjacent to, or within a vessel or chamber containing flowing blood and activating the source of energy to provide energy to the flowing blood within the vessel or chamber whereby blood movement within the vessel or chamber is increased, thereby preventing thrombus formation or reducing the risk of thrombus formation.
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Abstract
The present invention provides devices and methods for preventing or significantly reducing the risk of thrombus formation. More specifically, the devices and methods of the present invention provide energy to blood flowing within a chamber or vessel to prevent or reduce blood stasis and thereby prevent or significantly reduce the risk of thrombus formation. The present invention is ideally suited for prevention or reduction of risk of blood clot formation in the atria in patients with atrial fibrillation, in blood vessels of patients at risk of clot formation, in areas adjacent to, or on, artificial heart valves or other artificial cardiovascular devices, and the like.
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36 Claims
- 1. A method for preventing thrombus formation or reducing the risk of thrombus formation in a patient at risk for thrombus formation, said method comprising providing the patient with a source of energy near, adjacent to, or within a vessel or chamber containing flowing blood and activating the source of energy to provide energy to the flowing blood within the vessel or chamber whereby blood movement within the vessel or chamber is increased, thereby preventing thrombus formation or reducing the risk of thrombus formation.
- 13. An implantable device comprising a source of energy to be implanted in a patient near, adjacent to, or within a vessel or chamber containing flowing blood whereby the source of energy, when activated, provides energy to the flowing blood within the vessel or chamber so that blood movement within the vessel or chamber is increased.
- 25. A method for improving blood flow within a vessel or chamber in a patient, said method comprising providing the patient with a source of energy near, adjacent to, or within a vessel or chamber containing flowing blood and activating the source of energy to provide energy to the flowing blood within the vessel or chamber whereby blood movement within the vessel or chamber is increased, thereby improving blood flow with the vessel or chamber.
Specification