Step-down skeletal muscle energy conversion system

• US 5,701,919 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 12/30/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TC1 LLC (Abbott Laboratories)
• Original Assignee: Thoratec Laboratories Corp. (Thoratec LLC)
• Inventors: Litwak, Philip, Rueff, John Robert, Harvey, Robert Joseph, Farrar, David John, Buck, Keith Evan
• Primary Examiner(s): Bahr, Jennifer
• Assistant Examiner(s): GILBERT, SAMUEL G
• Application Number:
  US08/474,018
• Time in Patent Office: 937 Days
• Field of Search: 607/3, 600/16-19, 128/898
• US Class Current: 128/898
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/139 inside the aorta, e.g. intra-aortic balloon pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/148 in line with a blood vessel using resection or like techniques, e.g. permanent endovascular heart assist devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/17 inside a ventricle, e.g. intraventricular balloon pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/178 drawing blood from a ventricle and returning the blood to the arterial system via a cannula external to the ventricle, e.g. left or right ventricular assist devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/183 drawing blood from both ventricles, e.g. bi-ventricular assist devices [BiVAD]
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/196 replacing the entire heart, e.g. total artificial hearts [TAH]
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/232 Centrifugal pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/274 the inlet and outlet being the same, e.g. para-aortic counter-pulsation blood pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/295 Balloon pumps for circulatory assistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/405 the force acting on the blood contacting member being hydraulic or pneumatic
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/427 the force acting on the blood contacting member being hydraulic or pneumatic
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/495 Electromagnetic force
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/882 Devices powered by the patient, e.g. skeletal muscle powered devices

Abstract

This invention provides a simple skeletal muscle linear pull energy convertor which can harness the maximal amount of muscle power for a wide variety of implantable medical devices, including the full range of circulatory support devices. The muscle powered system provides completely implantable circulatory support as an alternative to cardiac transplantation, with a quality of life relatively free from external batteries, transcutaneous energy transmission and other electromechanical hardware.

Claims

1. A method for surgically attaching a skeletal muscle to conversion means for converting linear contraction of a skeletal muscle into transmutable energy, said method comprising the steps of:

disconnecting only one end of a skeletal muscle from a skeletal structure of a patient;

applying to each face of the end of the muscle a non-biodegradable felt containing a plurality of projecting hooks;

anchoring the felt to each face of the muscle by sutures;

connecting the non-biodegradable felt to the conversion means.

2. A method for surgically attaching a skeletal muscle to conversion means for converting linear contraction of a skeletal muscle into transmutable energy, said method comprising the steps of:

disconnecting only one end of a skeletal muscle from a skeletal structure of a patient;

inserting a fan-shaped non-biodegradable felt into the belly of the muscle;

anchoring the felt in the muscle by sutures;

connecting the felt to the conversion means.

3. A method for surgically attaching a skeletal muscle to conversion means for converting linear contraction of a skeletal muscle into transmutable energy, the conversion means including a movable shaft having an open loop projecting from one end such that linear motion of the shaft is converted into transmutable energy, said method comprising the steps of:

disconnecting only one end of the skeletal muscle from a skeletal structure of a patient;

inserting the end of the muscle through the open loop projecting from the movable shaft;

sewing the end of the muscle to the belly of the muscle with sutures.

4. A method for surgically attaching a skeletal muscle to conversion means for converting linear contraction of a skeletal muscle into transmutable energy, said method comprising the steps of:

disconnecting only one end of the skeletal muscle from a skeletal structure of a patient;

forming connecting means on said skeletal muscle for connecting said skeletal muscle to said conversion means; and

connecting said connecting means to said conversion means.