HEART ASSIST METHOD AND APPARATUS

• US 3,592,183 A
• Filed: 05/27/1969
• Issued: 07/13/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: David H. Watkins, Erwin J. Klink
• Original Assignee: David H. Watkins, Erwin J. Klink
• Inventors: Watkins, David H., Klink, Erwin J.
• Application Number:
  US04/828,151
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• US Class Current: 600/18
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/32 with radio-opaque indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/04 in the body, e.g. expansible A61M25/10, A61M16/0488 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/117 for assisting the heart, e.g. transcutaneous or external ventricular assist devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/268 the displacement member being flexible, e.g. membranes, diaphragms or bladders
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/449 generated by a solenoid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/515 Regulation using real-time patient data
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/531 using blood pressure data, e.g. from blood pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/554 of blood pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/585 User interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/833 Occluders for preventing backflow

Abstract

Method and apparatus for assisting a failing heart by sucking blood out of the left ventricle during normal systolic action, while at the same time blocking flow to the aorta, and during diastolic action, when the aortic valve is closed, forcing blood into the aorta and thence to the arterial tree. More particularly, there is provided a catheter with openings back from the tip thereof and with a radially surrounding collapsible portion, which catheter is inserted in the aorta with tip immediately above the aortic valve. A reciprocating external pump connected to the catheter on withdrawal stroke sucks blood out of the left ventricle and on pressure stroke forces the blood under pressure through the aorta and arterial system. Suitable provision is made for timing the sequence and pace of the pump with respect to the natural beat of the heart or, as desired, to a predetermined beat in point of time. Provision also is made for controlling the volume of blood moved by the pump. Additional provision is made for precisely locating the tip of the catheter immediately adjacent the aortic valve. Where desired, provision is made for directly observing the blood pressure and automatically controlling the same at a predetermined figure. Other provision is made for supplying additional blood.

Claims

1. Method of improving the action of the ailing heart of a patient wherein an open end catheter is inserted within the aorta adjacent the aortic valve of the left ventricle of the heart, said catheter having associated therewith flow-restraining means, which method comprises intermittently withdrawing blood directly from the left ventricle through said catheter with each systolic pulsation of the heart;

restraining flow of the blood into and from the aorta;

temporarily storing the blood of each such pulsation neat the patient; and

with each succeeding diastolic period removing the restraint and moving the blood from storage back through the catheter into the aorta under pressure.

2. System and apparatus for aiding the ailing heart of a patient comprising in combination, blood storage means;

catheter means with an open distal end for introduction into the aorta just above the aortic valve;

pump means connected to the proximal end of the catheter for withdrawing blood from the left ventricle during systolic pulsation and passing the same to such storage means and during succeeding diastolic period moving said blood from said storage means into the aorta;

valve means adjacent the distal end of the catheter for restraining the passage of blood into and from the aorta during such systolic pulsation but permitting passage during diastolic period;

means for detecting and recording the pulse rate and instantaneous blood pressure of the patient; and

control means for said pump means triggered and controlled by said detecting and recording means to maintain a predetermined pressure.

3. System and apparatus for aiding the ailing heart of a patient comprising in combination, means for intermittently storing the blood of such patient;

catheter means with an open distal end for introduction into the aorta with distal end just above the aortic valve;

pump means connected to the proximal end of said catheter means for withdrawing blood from the left ventricle during systolic pulsation and passing the same to such storage means, and during succeeding diastolic period moving said blood into the aorta;

collapsible valve means adjacent the distal end of the catheter in the aorta for restraining the passage of blood into the same during systolic pulsation of the heart but permitting passage of blood during diastolic period;

oscillographic display meaNs for connection to the patient for displaying the electrical wave form of the heart pulse of the patient; and

the arterial pressure wave form of the patient and means responsive to a predetermined point of the heart pulse wave to control the action of said pump means.

4. System and apparatus for aiding the ailing heart of a patient comprising in combination catheter means having an elongated member with bore extending therethrough and having an open proximal end portion, said open end distal portion adapted for introduction into the aorta with distal end just above the aortic valve;

pump means connected to the proximal end of said catheter means for withdrawing blood from the left ventricle;

collapsible valve means adjacent and rearward of said distal end of the catheter means for restraining passage of blood into and from the aorta during the withdrawal of blood form the left ventricle;

reservoir means connecting with said pump means for storing withdrawn blood;

means for detecting and recording the pulse rate and instantaneous blood pressure of the patient and control means for said pump means to properly control the action of said pump to maintain a predetermined blood pressure by said detecting and recording means.

5. In apparatus for aiding the ailing heart of a patient, catheter means for introduction into aorta with distal end just above the aortic valve, comprising an elongated member with bore extending therethrough and having an open end distal portion and an open proximal portion;

and back from said open end distal portion, circumferential collapsible imperforate membrane valve means flaring out radially and in proximal direction from the central axis of the elongated member of said catheter means for temporarily closing the aorta.

6. In apparatus for aiding the ailing heart of a patient, catheter means for introduction into the aorta with distal end just above the aorta vala, comprising an elongated member with bore extending therethrough and having an open end distal portion and an open proximal portion;

an opaque tip in advance of said open end distal portion; and

circumferential flaring imperforate membrane valve means intermediate said elongated member and extending in proximal direction radially about said elongated member of said catheter means for temporarily closing off the aorta.

7. In apparatus for aiding the ailing heart of a patient, catheter means for introduction into the aorta with distal end just above the aorta valve, comprising an elongated member with bore extending therethrough and having an open end distal portion and an open proximal portion;

and, back from said open end distal portion, circumferential collapsible imperforate membrane valve means radially flaring out from the central axis of said elongated member for temporarily closing the aorta, said catheter means including in said elongated member an opening back of said flaring membrane valve means.

8. In apparatus for aiding the ailing heart of a patient, catheter means for introduction into the aorta with distal end just above the aortic valve, comprising an elongated member with bore therethrough and an open end distal portion and open proximal portion with opaque tip portion and openings back of said tip portion;

and collapsible imperforate membrane valve means radially flaring out from a central axis of said elongated member for temporarily closing a aorta, said elongated member having an opening back of said valve means to assure blood circulation immediately above said valve means and to assure easy withdrawal of catheter means from the patient.

9. System and apparatus for aiding the ailing heart of a patient by withdrawing blood from the left ventricle during systolic pulsation and during succeeding diastolic period moving said blood into the aorta, comprising catheter means for withdrawing blood from said left ventricle;

valve means on said catheter means for restraining the back-flow of blood from the aorta during such withdrawal during systolic pulsation, But permitting blood flow therethrough during diastolic period;

pump means connecting with said catheter means;

means for controlling the pump means to withdraw blood from the patient in one cycle of pump operation and in another cycle supply blood to the patient;

means accepting electrical stimulus from apparatus connected to the patient;

relay means a actuated thereby for control of supply power to the pump means; and

timing means for determining the duration of the application of power to said pump means withdrawal and discharge control.

10. System and apparatus for aiding the ailing heart of a patient by withdrawing blood from the left ventricle during systolic pulsation and during succeeding diastolic period moving said blood into the aorta comprising catheter means for withdrawing blood from said left ventricle;

valve means on said catheter means for restraining the back-flow of blood from the aorta during such withdrawal during systolic pulsation, but permitting blood flow therethrough during diastolic period;

pump means;

means for controlling the same to withdraw blood from the patient by way of said catheter means;

means for controlling the pump means to supply blood to the patient by way of said catheter means;

pulser means for controlling the pulse of the patient adjustable to desired rate of heart beat connected to said withdrawal and supply control means; and

timing means connected to said withdrawal control means for determining the duration of the application of power from said wtihdrawal control means to said pump means.

11. System and apparatus for aiding the ailing heart of a patient by withdrawing blood from the left ventricle during systolic pulsation and during succeeding diastolic period moving said blood into the aorta comprising catheter means for withdrawing blood from said left ventricle;

valve means on said catheter means for restraining the back-flow of blood from the aorta during such withdrawal during systolic pulsation, but permitting blood flow therethrough during diastolic period;

pump means;

means for controlling said pump means to withdraw blood from the patient;

means for controlling the pump means to supply blood to the patient;

blood pressure detector means for connection to an artery of the patient; and

adjustable electrical power means controlled by said detector means for controlling a supply of power to said withdrawal control means.