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:
Aug. 28, 2001
Filed:
Oct. 14, 1999
Robert W. Reinhardt, Fort Salonga, NY (US);
Howard R. Levin, Teaneck, NJ (US);
William A. Easterbrook, III, Washington Township, NJ (US);
Michael Guttman, Rockville, MD (US);
Cardio Technologies, Inc., Pine Brook, NJ (US);
Abstract
A cardiac support system includes a ventricular assist device adapted to be extended over a portion of a patient's heart to assist the ventricles of the heart to properly contract. One or more stimulating electrodes are mounted on the ventricular assist device in selected locations such that when the ventricular assist device is extended over the heart, the stimulation electrodes are in close proximity to the surface of the heart. The system further includes one or more external pick-up electrodes that receive externally applied energy and conduct that energy to the one or more stimulating electrodes via conductive leads. The external pick-up electrodes may be mounted on the outer surface of the ventricular assist device, or can be located at some other location inside the patient's body. The externally-applied energy will typically be supplied by standard defibrillation paddles located outside of the patient's body. In place of the pick-up electrodes, the stimulating electrodes can be wired directly to, respectively, a source of electrical energy and a ground plate.