HEART ASSIST METHOD AND CATHETER

• US 3,592,184 A
• Filed: 12/16/1969
• Issued: 07/13/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/1969
• 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:
  US04/885,507
• Time in Patent Office: 574 Days
• US Class Current: 604/192
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0075 Valve means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0125 Catheters carried by the bloodstream, e.g. with parachutes; Balloon catheters specially designed for this purpose
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/04 in the body, e.g. expansible A61M25/10, A61M16/0488 take precedence

Abstract

Method and device for augmenting the action of an ailing heart having an incompetent aortic valve, wherein blood is sucked up from the aorta, while blocking flow to the arterial tree, and then, upon reverse, a major portion of the blood is forced into the arterial tree and a minor portion forced into the coronary arteries of the heart itself.

Claims

1. Method for augmenting the action of an ailing heart having associated aorta and arterial tree supplied thereby and coronary arteries supplying the heart itself wherein an open ended catheter is inserted into the aortic, or left subclavian artery, to a point adjacent the aortic valve, comprising in sequential operation sucking blood from said aorta through said catheter during systolic heart pulsation, while blocking backflow from the said arterial tree;

and on reverse cycle forcing the major portion of the said blood back through said catheter into the arterial tree while forcing a minor portion into the said coronary arteries during diastolic period.

2. Method according to claim 1 wherein about two-thirds of the blood on reverse cycle is supplied the arteriAl tree and about one-third is supplied the coronary arteries of the heart itself.

3. Heart assist device comprising catheter means including an elongated member with a bore extending therethrough and having a distal end with opening therein and a second opening back from said first-mentioned opening;

expandible and imperforate membrane valve means flaring out circumferentially and extending radially extending about said catheter means from a point between said two openings;

valve means engaging said catheter closing said second opening upon a suction being established in said catheter; and

valve means within said catheter largely closing said first-mentioned opening upon a pressure being established in said catheter.

4. Device according to claim 3 wherein said catheter engaging valve means is in the form of an expandible sleeve positioned externally of said catheter and secured thereto;

and said valve means within the catheter is in the form of an expandible sleeve positioned internally of said catheter and secured thereto.

5. Device according to claim 3 wherein said catheter engaging valve means and said valve means within said catheter comprise a single reciprocable chamber closely fitting within said catheter and having a first port therein adapted to register with the said opening in the distal end of the catheter upon the suction cycle of operation, the walls of the chamber closing off said further opening in said catheter;

and a second port therein for but partially registering with and largely closing off said distal end opening upon application of pressure during the succeeding cycle of operation.