Cardiovascular flow enhancer and method of operation
First Claim
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1. A method of implanting a cardiovascular flow enhancer comprising the steps of:
- providing an implantable centrifugal pump having an inlet and an outlet;
providing an inlet conduit;
providing an outlet conduit;
connecting the inlet conduit with the pump inlet and with the descending thoracic aorta at substantially the site of the pressure node for blood from the heart to receive blood from the descending thoracic aorta and direct blood to the pump; and
connecting the outlet conduit with the pump outlet and with the descending thoracic aorta at a point downstream from the inlet connection to discharge blood into the aorta.
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Abstract
An implanted cardiovascular assist pump is connected with the proximal descending thoracic aorta. The pump inlet is connected with the aorta at substantially the site of the first pressure/flow node from the heart. The pump outlet is connected at substantially the site of the last pressure/flow antinode before the heart. Control of pump speed varies blood flow through the pump. As a fail-safe mechanism, a pump shunt flow path is provided, through one of a variety of disclosed structures.
185 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of implanting a cardiovascular flow enhancer comprising the steps of:
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providing an implantable centrifugal pump having an inlet and an outlet; providing an inlet conduit; providing an outlet conduit; connecting the inlet conduit with the pump inlet and with the descending thoracic aorta at substantially the site of the pressure node for blood from the heart to receive blood from the descending thoracic aorta and direct blood to the pump; and connecting the outlet conduit with the pump outlet and with the descending thoracic aorta at a point downstream from the inlet connection to discharge blood into the aorta. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of implanting a cardiovascular flow enhancer comprising the steps of:
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providing an implantable centrifugal pump having an inlet and an outlet; providing an inlet conduit; providing an inlet conduit; providing an outlet conduit; connecting the inlet conduit with the pump inlet and with the descending thoracic aorta at substantially the site of the pressure node for blood from the heart to receive blood from the aorta and direct blood to the pump; and connecting the outlet conduit with the pump outlet and with the descending thoracic aorta at a point downstream from the inlet connection to discharge blood into the aorta; providing an alternative flow path in shunt with the pump to provide an emergency blood flow path around the pump. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of implanting a cardiovascular flow enhancer comprising the steps of:
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providing a centrifugal pump having an inlet and an outlet; connecting the pump inlet to receive blood from the descending thoracic aorta from a site at substantially the first quiescent section of the descending thoracic aorta downstream from the brachiocephalic arteries; and connecting the pump outlet to discharge blood to the descending thoracic aorta at a point downstream from the inlet connection.
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11. A method of implanting a cardiovascular flow enhancer comprising the steps of:
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providing a centrifugal pump having an inlet and an outlet; connecting the pump inlet to receive blood from the proximal descending thoracic aorta; and connecting the pump outlet to discharge blood to the descending thoracic aorta at a point downstream from the inlet connection. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A method of improving cardiovascular performance comprising the steps of:
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providing a centrifugal pump having an inlet and an outlet; connecting the pump inlet to receive blood from the first pressure and flow node of the descending thoracic aorta; and connecting the pump outlet to discharge blood to the descending thoracic aorta at a point downstream of the first connection. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A cardiovascular flow enhancer comprising:
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a centrifugal pump having an inlet and an outlet; an inlet conduit having one end in fluid communication with the pump inlet; an outlet conduit having one end in fluid communication with the pump outlet; the centrifugal pump, inlet conduit and outlet conduit defining a primary blood flow path; and a parallel flow conduit extending between the inlet and outlet conduits to provide an emergency blood flow path for a level of blood flow when blood flow through the pump falls below a minimum level and to provide a secondary blood flow path for a lower level of blood flow during normal operation of the pump, the parallel flow conduit being in parallel with the primary blood flow path the cardiovascular flow enhancer further comprising a housing made of a biologically inert material within which the centrifugal pump and parallel flow conduit are held, said housing being configured and sized to be implanted in a living body. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification