IMPLANTABLE BULB FOR INFLATION OF SURGICAL IMPLEMENTS

• US 3,831,583 A
• Filed: 02/05/1973
• Issued: 08/27/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Louis Henry Jr. Edmunds, Silas A. Braley
• Original Assignee: Louis Henry Jr. Edmunds, Silas A. Braley
• Inventors: Edmunds, Louis Henry Jr., Braley, Silas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Truluck, Dalton L.
• Application Number:
  US05/329,643
• Time in Patent Office: 568 Days
• Field of Search: 128/325,326,327,344,346,DIG.25,1R 3/1
• US Class Current: 128/899
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/122 Clamps or clips , e.g. for the umbilical cord for the vas deferens A61F6/206
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00557 inflatable A61B2017/22051 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/004 inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0208 Subcutaneous access sites for injecting or removing fluids transcutaneous access sites A61M39/0247; implantable infusion devices A61M5/14276

Abstract

A device, completely implantable within the human body, for restricting the flow of blood through a major blood vessel, such as an artery, especially the pulmonary artery. An inflatable, flexible annulus, generally circular in shape but not a closed circle, has a non-distensible outer wall so that upon inflation all distension or expansion is inward. The device is placed around an artery or other blood vessel, and the ring may then be closed, as by suturing together preformed tabs attached to the annulus, or by suturing together the ends of an overlapping tape, for instance, to firmly hold the vessel. Upon inflation, inward distension of the inflatable annulus constricts the vessel, and flow of blood therethrough is accordingly restricted. Inflation and deflation are effected through a self-sealing hollow bulb and a non-distensible tube connecting the bulb to the interior of the inflatable annulus, pressure fluid being introduced into the bulb by a fine hypodermic needle. The device may be wholly contained within the patient'"'"''"'"'s body, and all surfaces thereof are of a substance, such as a medical elastomer, that is compatible with and resistant to the action of body fluids.

Claims

1. A bulb, adapted to be implanted in a human body, said bulb being non-distensible and self-sealing, and comprising an upper chamber, a lower chamber, an impervious diaphragm separating said chambers, a shield means in said lower chamber to protect said lower chamber from puncture by a needle, said shield means being a metal sink having a bottom and a side wall, said sink fitting snugly within said lower chamber substantially covering said side wall and bottom of said chamber, and having an aperture in said bottom, a flexible tube having a central passage registering with said aperture, and means to anchor said bulb within said body.

2. A totally implantable, flexible, non-distensible self-sealable bulb having a hollow interior and being adapted to penetration by a hypodermic needle, and comprising an upper chamber, a lower chamber, an impervious diaphragm separating said chambers, silicone rubber gel disposed in said upper chamber, shield means in said lower chamber to protect said lower chamber from penetration by a needle, said shield means being a metal sink having a bottom and a side wall, said sink fitting snugly within said lower chamber substantially covering the side wall and base of said chamber, and having an aperture in said bottom registering with the central passage of a flexible connecting tube, and a non-distensible flexible, twist-resistant tube having a central passage providing a conduit leading from the interior of said bulb.

3. The bulb of claim 2 wherein said non-distensible tube is formed of silicone rubber.

4. The bulb of claim 2 wherein said tube is relatively thin-walled whereby to resist twisting and kinking so as to enable free and rapid flow of liquid therethrough.

5. The bulb of claim 2 wherein said shield means is a metal sink having a bottom and a side wall, said sink fitting snugly within said lower chamber substantially covering the side wall and base of said chamber, and having an aperture in said bottom.

6. The bulb of claim 2 wherein said diaphragm extends to form an annular flange around said bulb.

7. The bulb of claim 5 wherein said metal is titanium.

8. The bulb of claim 5 having a baffle in said sink spaced from and protecting said aperture.

9. The bulb of claim 5 wherein said sink has an aperture of a plurality of small holes arranged in a pattern to register with said central passage.