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:
Nov. 17, 2009
Filed:
Aug. 06, 2003
Jay Yadav, Hunting Valley, OH (US);
Mark Allen, Atlanta, GA (US);
David O'brien, Norcross, GA (US);
David Stern, Grayson, GA (US);
Jason White, Atlanta, GA (US);
Michael A. Fonseca, Marietta, GA (US);
Jay Yadav, Hunting Valley, OH (US);
Mark Allen, Atlanta, GA (US);
David O'Brien, Norcross, GA (US);
David Stern, Grayson, GA (US);
Jason White, Atlanta, GA (US);
Michael A. Fonseca, Marietta, GA (US);
CardioMEMS, Inc., Atlanta, GA (US);
Abstract
A ventricular assist device comprises a sheet of hydraulically actuated material that can be affixed to prescribed locations on the surface of the heart to assist areas of the heart that do not contract normally. The material is comprised of a network of contractible unit cells that individually contract when fluid is pumped into them. These unit cells are connected together in a network that causes the sheet to contract radially inward. This contraction causes the sheet to transmit forces to the heart to assist in its natural contraction. A sensing function coordinates the contraction of the sheet with the contraction of the heart. The change in shape of the device is accomplished by distributing pressurized fluid throughout the spaces of the device by way of a network of channels. When pressure is removed from the fluid system, it assumes a deenergized 'rest' position in which it does not transmit any forces to the surface of the heart. This property of the device prevents the device from inhibiting the heart's natural contractions in the event of a failure of the device or a loss of hydraulic power.