Cardiac output controlled electroactive polymer sleeve heart assist apparatus and method of use thereof
OwnerAlton Reich, Michael Rothinventors
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Abstract
The invention comprises an apparatus and a method for aiding function of a heart, comprising the steps of: (1) sensing a pulse; (2) providing a blood flow assist device, comprising: a first electroactive polymer sleeve segment circumferentially positioned about a portion of a first body part and a second electroactive polymer sleeve segment circumferentially positioned about a segment of a second body part; (3) sequentially constricting, timed to the pulse, the first electroactive polymer sleeve segment and the second electroactive polymer sleeve segment to aid the heart in circulation of blood; and (4) repeating the step of sensing the pulse and the step of constricting.
Claims19
A method for aiding function of a heart, comprising the steps of:
- sensing a pulse;
- providing a blood flow assist device, comprising:
- a first electroactive polymer sleeve segment circumferentially positioned about a portion of a first body part;
- and
- a second electroactive polymer sleeve segment circumferentially positioned about a segment of a second body part;
- sequentially constricting, timed to said pulse, said first electroactive polymer sleeve segment and said second electroactive polymer sleeve segment to aid the heart in circulation of blood;
- and
- repeating said step of sensing the pulse and said step of constricting.
An apparatus for aiding function of a heart, comprising:
- a pulse sensor, configured to repetitively sense a pulse;
- a blood flow assist device, comprising:
- a first electroactive polymer sleeve segment configured to circumferentially position about a portion of a first body part;
- and
- a second electroactive polymer sleeve segment configured to circumferentially position about a segment of a second body part;
- said blood flow assist device communicatively linked to said pulse sensor for receipt of at least timing of the sensed pulse, said blood flow device configured to repetitively electrically control, timed to the pulse, sequential constriction of said first electroactive polymer sleeve segment and said second electroactive polymer sleeve segment to aid the heart in circulation of blood.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.