The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 23, 1997
Filed:
Apr. 02, 1996
Kent Vilendrer, Eden Prairie, MN (US);
Endura-Tec Systems Corporation, Eden Prairie, MN (US);
Abstract
A physiological simulation device for measuring compliance conditions of a prosthesis, such as stents, grafts and stent-grafts, under simulated physiologic loading conditions. The prosthesis is positioned within a fluid conduit of the fatigue tester, wherein the fluid conduit is filled with a saline solution or other fluid approximating the physiological condition to be tested. The fluids are forced through the fluid conduit from both ends of the fluid conduit in a pulsating fashion at a high frequency, thereby simulating systolic and diastolic pressures. The temperature of the fluid is maintained at a specific (37.degree. C.) temperature via a closed loop PID control system. The fluids are pulsated by a pulse generation system consisting of a voice coil drive motor connected to a bellows assembly. Use of a linear drive motor increases the number of cycles per minute to which the prosthesis may be subjected. A microprocessor-based controller operates the pulse generation system at a frequency ranging from 0 to over 6000 cycles/minute under closed loop control. The microprocessor-based controller may be servo controlled, utilizing feedback from a compliance transducer system, linear displacement transducer, and pressure transducer.