Allegheny-singer Research Institute

Other

Coratomic Inc.

George J Magovern

Dennis Robert Trumble

John J Pacella

Richard E Clark

Andrew H Goldstein

Fred W Moeller

David L Purdy

Frederick J Shipko

Nicholas P Smyth

George W Roland

A blood pump device comprises a blood pump having blood transport ports, cannulae connected to the ports, and a coating material covering the junction between the inner surfaces of the ports and cannulae. This forms a smooth transition so blood can flow unimpeded therefrom and collection cavities for the blood are eliminated. Also included is a method for producing a smooth coating. The blood pump device comprises a second portion including a stator mechanism, a rotor mechanism, an impeller, a journal, and a seat member. The second portion is constructed to pump blood through the cannulae when power is provided. The blood pump device is also equipped with a safety occluder device, a sensor for detecting back emf in the stator mechanism, and a controller having the capability of indicating stator current and rotor speed.

Blood pump device and method of producing

A blood pump device which includes a blood pump having blood transport ports and cannulae connected to the ports. The blood pump device also includes a coating material covering the junction between the inner surfaces of the ports and cannulae. A method of producing a smooth coating. A blood pump device including a second portion having a stator mechanism and a rotor mechanism disposed adjacent to and driven by the stator mechanism. The second portion has a journal disposed about the rotor mechanism to provide support therewith. The second portion has an impeller disposed in the chamber and a seal member for sealing about a shaft of the impeller. The seal member is fixedly attached to the journal so that the seal member is supported by the journal. A mechanism for providing power to the blood pump so that blood can be pumped through a cannula.

Blood pump device having a journal

An apparatus and method for reversibly modifying the shape of a selected portion of the body such as the pharynx, to produce a desired result, for example, to overcome obstructive sleep apnea by urging open the pharynx. The apparatus includes a preconfigured structure having a shape-memory with an activated shape and a quiescent shape. The preconfigured structure is shaped to conform to the selected portion of the body. The shape-memory is responsive to activation energy and urges the preconfigured structure from the quiescent shape to the activated shape. Furthermore, the activated shape of the preconfigured structure exerts a force on the selected portion, thereby modifying the shape of the selected portion. The preconfigured structure can be attached to an exterior surface of, or can be implanted within the body proximate to, the selected portion of the body. The apparatus can include an energy source coupled to the preconfigured structure for providing the activation energy, responsive to a predetermined stimulus and can be attached external to, or implanted within, the body. The invention also provides a method for reversibly modifying the shape of a selected portion of a body. The method includes attaching a preconfigured shape-memory structure to the selected portion of the body; and applying the activation energy to the preconfigured structure with an energy source, thereby the preconfigured shape-memory structure from the quiescent shape to the activated shape.

Apparatus and method for reversibly reshaping a body part

A surgical method of reconstructing damaged cardiac muscle via latissimus dorsi autograft. The latissimus dorsi is dissected from its origin and insertion while maintaining the neurovascular bundle intact. The dissected muscle flap is passed into the thorax through a rib resection in the corresponding axilla. After appropriate midsternotomy, cardiopulmonary bypass, etc., the muscle flap and its preserved neurovascular bundle may be used as graft muscle in the reconstruction of cardiac muscle. The latissimus dorsi autograft minimizes or eliminates the problems of histoincompatibility associated with cardiac transplantation. A subsequent protocol of suitable pacing of the autograft enables it to contribute to the overall cardiac function, and the structural presence of the grafted muscle tissue permits cardiac muscle repair without distorting the shape of the heart in the area(s) of excised cardiac muscle.

Method of cardiac reconstructive surgery

A surgical accessory, and method for using it, for facilitating manual cardiac massage. The device is a generally disc-shaped pad adapted to receive the thumb of the user and to append from the inner thumb surface. The pad is approximately 3-10 centimeters in diameter, 0.5-2 centimeters in width and may secure the thumb by a loop, indentation aperture or the like. The generally disc-shaped pad may be a fluid-filled, foam or solid resilient structure. In order to use the present device, the practitioner attaches the disc to the inside surface of the thumb on the hand which he or she intends to use for cardiac massage. The disc is aligned to oppose the curved surface defined by the palmar skin on the fingers. Cardiac massage is executed as usual, and the device displaces the pressure exerted by the thumb over the myocardial surface in contact with the disc. A more even pumping pressure is thus exerted, and the chances of perforating or distressing the heart with the thumb are minimized.

Flexible pad for direct myocardial tissue massage having thumb loop

A catheter to be electrically connected to a part of an organ of a body, typically, the muscle of the heart. The catheter includes a hollow electrical conductor having a resilient clamp at the end where it is to be connected. The clamp is manipulated by a manipulator which is removably inserted into the conductor or by a string which is permanently connected to the clamp. The jaws of the clamp are normally maintained closed by a spring. The spring is retracted by the manipulator or string which pulls on a pin connected to the spring permitting the jaws of the jaws to spring open. The open jaws are then positioned near the body part to be engaged and the manipulator or string is manipulated to release the spring so that the jaws are closed in engagement with the body part. The clamp extends to the conductor through a seal which effectively prevents the penetration of body fluids to the conductor. The surface of the jaws is composed of, or has a coating of, an electrically conducting material, such as platinum, having a low affinity for oxygen and high corrosion resistance. The current density of the current flowing to the organ is precisely defined by defining the surface area of the jaws which engage the organ and transmit current to the organ. The remainder of the surface area adjacent to the defined surface which contacts the organ or body parts or fluids is coated with insulating material.

Catheter

A heart pacer to be implanted between the pectoralis major muscle and the skin a short distance below the clavicle having an outer container in the shape of an ovaloid. Such a heart pacer adapts itself positionally, cosmetically and with a minimum of discomfort to implantation.

Growing community of inventors

Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

George J Magovern