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US 5,984,857 AGranted
Step-down skeletal muscle energy conversion system
AssigneeThoratec Laboratories Corporation
InventorsKeith Evan Buck, David John Farrar, Robert Joseph Harvey, Philip Litwak, John Robert Rueff
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims51
An apparatus for use in a skeletal muscle energy conversion system, said apparatus comprising:
- stimulator means for effecting the linear contraction of a skeletal muscle to thereby produce a force;
- hydraulic conversion means adapted to connect the muscle for converting the linear contractile energy produced by the muscle into high pressure hydraulic energy;
- step-down actuator means coupled to said conversion means for converting high pressure hydraulic energy into low pressure hydraulic energy generally corresponding to that of physiological pressure;
- and
- an implantable medical device operated by low pressure hydraulic energy received from said actuator means.
2 more elements
An apparatus for use in an implantable energy conversion system, said apparatus comprising:
- hydraulic conversion means for converting a linear energy input into high pressure hydraulic power;
- actuator means coupled to said conversion means for converting high pressure hydraulic power into low pressure hydraulic power generally corresponding to that of cardiovascular pressure;
- and
- an implantable medical device operated by low pressure hydraulic power received from said actuator means.
1 more element
An apparatus for use in a skeletal muscle energy conversion system, said apparatus comprising:
- first and second stimulator means for effecting the linear contraction of right and left similar skeletal muscles, respectively, to thereby produce a contraction force in each muscle;
- hydraulic conversion means adapted to connect the muscles for converting the linear contractile force produced by the muscles into high pressure hydraulic power;
- step-down actuator means coupled to said conversion means for converting high pressure hydraulic power into low pressure hydraulic power generally corresponding to that of cardiovascular pressure;
- and
- an implantable medical device operated by low pressure hydraulic power received from said actuator means.
2 more elements
A skeletal muscle energy conversion system comprising:
- stimulator means for effecting the linear contraction of a skeletal muscle to thereby produce a force;
- hydraulic conversion means adapted to connect the muscle for converting the linear contractile energy produced by the muscle into high pressure hydraulic energy;
- step-down actuator means coupled to said conversion means for converting high pressure hydraulic energy into low pressure hydraulic energy generally corresponding to that of physiological pressure;
- and
- an implantable medical device operated by low pressure hydraulic energy received from said actuator means.
2 more elements
An apparatus for use in an implanted skeletal muscle energy conversion system, said apparatus comprising:
- stimulator means for effecting the linear contraction of a muscle bundle to thereby produce a force;
- conversion means adapted to connect the muscle bundle for converting the linear contractile energy produced by the muscle into useable energy;
- muscle attachment means adapted to attach the muscle to said conversion means;
- and
- a circulatory support device coupled to said conversion means and operated by the energy produced therein;
- wherein said muscle attachment means comprises a fan-shaped non-biodegradable felt containing plurality of projecting hooks applied to each face of the muscle, and a plurality of sutures through the felt and muscle tissue which in combination ensure proper positioning and contact with the muscle while fibrous tissue forms between said felt and the muscle.
3 more elements
An apparatus for use in an implanted skeletal muscle energy conversion system, said apparatus comprising:
- stimulator means for effecting the linear contraction of a muscle bundle to thereby produce a force;
- conversion means adapted to connect the muscle bundle for converting the linear contractile energy produced by the muscle into useable energy;
- muscle attachment means adapted to attach the muscle to said conversion means;
- and
- a circulatory support device coupled to said conversion means and operated by the energy produced therein;
- wherein said muscle attachment means comprises an attachment strip having a plurality of gripping hooks.
3 more elements
An apparatus for use in an implanted skeletal muscle energy conversion system, said apparatus comprising:
- stimulator means for effecting the linear contraction of a muscle bundle to thereby produce a force;
- conversion means adapted to connect the muscle bundle for converting the linear contractile energy produced by the muscle into usable energy;
- and
- a circulatory support device coupled to said conversion means and operated by the energy produced therein;
- wherein the muscle is wrapped around a bar-like projection of said conversion means and then sewn upon itself, thereby not requiring the attachment means to puncture the muscle.
2 more elements
An apparatus for use in an implanted skeletal muscle energy conversion system, said apparatus comprising:
- stimulator means for effecting the linear contraction of a muscle bundle to thereby produce a force;
- conversion means adapted to connect the muscle bundle for converting the linear contractile energy produced by the muscle into useable energy;
- muscle attachment means adapted to attach the muscle to said conversion means;
- and
- a circulatory means adapted to connect the muscle bundle for converting the linear contractile energy produced by the muscle into useable energy;
- muscle attachment means for attaching the muscle to said conversion means;
- and
- a circulatory support device coupled to said conversion means and operated by the energy produced therein;
- wherein said muscle attachment means comprises a fan-shaped non-biodegradable felt extending into the belly of the muscle so that the tissue of the muscle can grow into the felt.
6 more elements
Apparatus for use in an implanted skeletal muscle energy conversion system, said apparatus comprising:
- stimulator means for effecting the linear contraction of a skeletal muscle situated in close proximity to the thoracic cavity to thereby produce a force, wherein said skeletal muscle having a first end remaining attached to the skeleton at its normal position and having a majority of the normal blood supply to said skeletal muscle remaining intact;
- conversion means adapted to connect to a second end of said skeletal muscle for converting the linear contractile force produced by said skeletal muscle into usable energy;
- anchoring means adapted to anchor rigidly said conversion means directly to the skeleton, said usable energy being produced when said force pulls against said rigidly anchored conversion means;
- muscle attachment means adapted to attach the muscle to said conversion means;
- and an implantable medical device coupled to said conversion means and operated by the useable energy produced therein.
2 more elements
Apparatus for use in an implanted skeletal muscle energy conversion system, said apparatus comprising:
- stimulator means for effecting the linear contraction of a skeletal muscle to thereby produce a force, wherein said skeletal muscle having a first end remaining attached to the skeleton at its normal position and having a majority of the normal blood supply to a skeletal muscle remaining intact;
- hydraulic conversion means adapted to connect to a second end of said skeletal muscle for converting the linear contractile energy input into high pressure hydraulic energy;
- actuator means coupled to said conversion means for converting high pressure hydraulic energy into low volume hydraulic energy at about cardiovascular pressure;
- muscle attachment means adapted to attach said conversion means to said second end of said skeletal muscle, said attachment means providing a secure junction therebetween;
- anchoring means adapted to anchor rigidly said conversion means to the skeleton, said high pressure hydraulic energy being produced when said linear contractile force pulls against said rigidly anchored conversion means;
- and
- an implantable medical device operated by low pressure hydraulic energy received from said actuator means.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.