Implantable peristaltic pump to treat erectile dysfunction
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for treating erectile dysfunction of a subject, comprising:
- implanting a pump outside of an artery that supplies a penis of the subject; and
activating the pump to increase blood flow to the penis,wherein activating the pump comprises activating the pump in coordination with a cardiac cycle of the subject.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is provided for controlling blood flow through a blood vessel of a subject. The method includes implanting a pump outside of the blood vessel and placing within the blood vessel an expansion element that is capable of expanding the blood vessel subsequent to compression of the blood vessel by the pump. Other embodiments are also described.
54 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for treating erectile dysfunction of a subject, comprising:
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implanting a pump outside of an artery that supplies a penis of the subject; and activating the pump to increase blood flow to the penis, wherein activating the pump comprises activating the pump in coordination with a cardiac cycle of the subject. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for treating erectile dysfunction of a subject, comprising:
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implanting a pump outside of an artery that supplies a penis of the subject; activating the pump to increase blood flow to the penis; and placing within the artery an expansion element that is capable of expanding the artery subsequent to compression of the artery by the pump. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. A method for treating erectile dysfunction of a subject, comprising:
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implanting a pump outside of an artery that supplies a penis of the subject; and activating the pump to increase blood flow to the penis, wherein implanting the pump comprises attaching the pump to the outer surface of the artery, the method comprising expanding the artery via the attachment of the pump to the outer surface of the artery.
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9. A method for treating erectile dysfunction of a subject, comprising:
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implanting a pump outside of an artery that supplies a penis of the subject; and activating the pump to increase blood flow to the penis, wherein activating the pump comprises receiving an input from a blood flow detector and activating the pump in response thereto.
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10. A method for treating erectile dysfunction of a subject, comprising:
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implanting a pump outside of an artery that supplies a penis of the subject; and activating the pump to increase blood flow to the penis, wherein activating the pump comprises receiving an input from a chemical sensor and activating the pump in response thereto.
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11. Apparatus for treating erectile dysfunction of a subject, comprising:
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a pump, configured to be implanted in the subject, outside of an artery that supplies a penis of the subject; and a control unit, configured to drive the pump to force blood toward the penis, wherein the pump is configured to operate in coordination with a cardiac cycle of the subject. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. Apparatus for treating erectile dysfunction of a subject, comprising:
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a pump, configured to be implanted in the subject, outside of an artery that supplies a penis of the subject; a control unit, configured to drive the pump to force blood toward the penis; and an expansion element that is configured to be disposed within the artery and to expand the artery subsequent to compression of the blood vessel by the pump. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. Apparatus for treating erectile dysfunction of a subject, comprising:
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a pump, configured to be implanted in the subject, outside of an artery that supplies a penis of the subject; a control unit, configured to drive the pump to force blood toward the penis; and an attachment element configured to attach the pump to an outer surface of the artery in such a way that the pump expands the artery subsequent to compression of the artery by the pump.
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19. Apparatus for treating erectile dysfunction of a subject, comprising:
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a pump, configured to be implanted in the subject, outside of an artery that supplies a penis of the subject; a control unit, configured to drive the pump to force blood toward the penis; a blood flow detector; and a control unit which is configured to receive an input from the blood flow detector, and to activate the pump upon receiving the input from the blood flow detector.
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20. Apparatus for treating erectile dysfunction of a subject, comprising:
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a pump, configured to be implanted in the subject, outside of an artery that supplies a penis of the subject; a control unit, configured to drive the pump to force blood toward the penis; a chemical detector; and a control unit which is configured to receive an input from the chemical detector, and to activate the pump upon receiving the input from the chemical detector.
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Specification