Vascular Assist Device and Methods

• US 20080132749A1
• Filed: 05/14/2007
• Published: 06/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Pavad Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Pavad Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Hegde, Anant V., Karabey, Halil I.
• Application Number:
  US11/748,410
• Publication Number:
  US 20080132749A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00871 polymeric
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/283 Invasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/349 Detecting specific parameters of the electrocardiograph cycle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4836 Diagnosis combined with treatment in closed-loop systems or methods A61B5/0036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6876 Blood vessel
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0283 Electro-active polymers [EAP]
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/33 Controlling, regulating or measuring
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3303 Using a biosensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8243 by induction
• 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 60/161 mechanically acting upon the outside of the patient's blood vessel structure, e.g. compressive structures placed around a vessel
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/289 Devices for mechanical circulatory actuation assisting the residual heart function by means mechanically acting upon the patient's native heart or blood vessel structure, e.g. direct cardiac compression [DCC] devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/486 generated by electro-active actuators, e.g. using electro-active polymers or piezoelectric elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/873 specially adapted for wireless or transcutaneous energy transfer [TET], e.g. inductive charging
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/05 Manufacture of multilayered piezoelectric or electrostrictive devices, or parts thereof, e.g. by stacking piezoelectric bodies and electrodes

Abstract

Several electroactive polymer (EAP) actuated vascular assist devices are provided that can be readily implanted within the body of a patient without coming in direct blood contact. The devices are also readily repositioned and/or removed from contact with the internal vasculature or may even be turned OFF remotely. In addition, there is provided a method of fabrication and a method of implanting such devices. There are also provided methods for the augmentation of a body lumen through the use of hemodynamic signals such as pressure or ECG signals to synchronize EAP actuation in the vascular assist system.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

an electroactive polymer pump;

controller configured to receive a signal associated with the cardiac cycle of a heart and actuate the electroactive polymer pump in response thereto;

a cuff comprising,

a compliant first layer configured to engage internal vasculature; and

a second layer coupled to the first layer and having a stiffness greater than a stiffness of the first layer and having an opening formed therein;

the compliant first layer and the second layer being coupled to form a cavity bounded by the first layer and the second layer, the cavity being in communication with the opening in the second layer; and

a conduit coupled between the opening and the electroactive polymer pump, wherein actuation of the electroactive polymer pump moves a fluid into the cavity and deforms the first layer.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the signal associated with the cardiac cycle is related to systole.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the signal associated with the cardiac cycle is related to diastole.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the signal associated with the cardiac cycle is related to a change in aortic pressure.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the signal associated with the cardiac cycle is related to a change in arterial pressure.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the signal associated with the cardiac cycle is related to a change in venous pressure.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the electroactive polymer pump is a dielectric electostrictive electroactive polymer pump or an ion-exchange polymer metal electroactive polymer pump.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the electroactive polymer pump is a rolled electroactive polymer pump.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the electroactive polymer pump is a diaphragm pump.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the electroactive polymer pump is a multi-chamber diaphragm pump.

11. The device according to claim 1, the electroactive polymer pump comprising an anode and a cathode wherein the anode and cathode conductivity is about 750 ohms to 1 mega-ohm.

12. The device according to claim 1, the electroactive polymer pump comprising an anode and a cathode wherein an elastomer material separating an anode surface from a cathode surface has a dielectric strength of about 1 kV to 10 kV per mil.

13. The device according to claim 1, the electroactive polymer pump comprising an anode and a cathode wherein an elastomer material separating an anode surface from a cathode surface has a hardness of about 3 A to 75 A durometer.

14. The device according to claim 1, the electroactive polymer pump comprising an anode and a cathode wherein an elastomer material separating an anode surface from a cathode surface has a tensile strength of about 2 to 75 MPa.