Apparatus for powering a body implant device
OwnerDaniel E. Spitzerinventor
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Abstract
An apparatus for powering a pressure actuated body implant device is disclosed. Preferably, the apparatus is utilized to power an artificial heart. The apparatus comprises a reservoir implantable in the body and attachable to a body muscle, a pacemaker having stimulatory electrodes for connection to the body muscle and sensor electrodes for sensing the physiological needs of the body and power output of the body muscle, and tubing for connecting the reservoir to the artificial heart. The apparatus is totally implantable with the body and is toally independent of any external power source.
Claims20
A device comprising in combination a body implant device and an apparatus for powering said body implant device;
- said device comprising a reservoir;
- said reservoir being implantable in the body adjacent to at least one muscle;
- a fluid disposed within said reservoir;
- a pressure actuated body implant device;
- a conduit connecting said reservoir to said body implant device and providing a fluid connection between said reservoir and body implant device;
- means for periodically stimulating said at least one body muscle from a relaxed state to a contracted state for periodically contracting said at least one body muscle against said reservoir to pressurize said fluid to cause it to flow from said reservoir toward said body implant device;
- said body implant device including means responsive to said pressurized fluid for powering said body implant device;
- upon relaxation of said at least one muscle said reservoir returning to its original unpressurized state, thereby creating a vacuum so as to cause the return of said fluid thereto.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.