JP2001519865A - Drive unit for cardiac compression control - Google Patents

Abstract

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for connecting a pressure profile of a fluid supplied by a fluid source (56) to an expansion chamber (18), i.e., a rise time and a plateau level, with high and low pressure regulators (58, 60). The pressure profile is controlled independently by an open fluid passageway (52, 54) and a tank (62, 64) whose outlet is controlled by a valve (66, 68) to provide predetermined high and low pressures at specific times. An inflation system (50) that defines

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION                          Drive unit for cardiac compression controlBackground of the Invention 1. Field of the invention   The present invention relates to a system for mechanically assisting the heart, and more particularly to a system for assisting the heart. The rise time and plateau level of the pressure pulse applied to the compression device can be controlled. Drive system.2. Description of related technology   Heart disease is one of the leading causes of heart dysfunction worldwide. heart One of the most common forms of heart failure that is often associated with disease Is substantially weakened. Helping a deadly heart Leaving it free will push out the blood needed to maintain body function. Often it goes away.   Heart technology is an important technology to save lives in people diagnosed with weakened hearts. To mechanically assist in pumping out blood. Help in this way To provide sufficient blood throughout the body without overburdening the heart muscle The blood pressure can be guaranteed to be appropriate. Typically, during invasive surgery, Devices such as a heart compression device provide this assistance. Take cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) In another device, the chest is externally compressed, periodically compressing the heart area, Some help increase the flow.   Performs heart compression well, assists the heart as much as possible, Various devices that work reliably have been suggested by those skilled in the art. Such a device Was filed on October 18, 1996, It is disclosed in currently pending U.S. Patent Application No. 60 / 028,722. This application Has been assigned to the assignee of the present invention. This device supports the heart during invasive surgery. Holding and assisting, evenly applying pressure directly to the heart by means of an inflatable liner You. The liner is inflated and deflated periodically by an inflation system to compress the heart. Apply force.   The heart pumps blood according to different pressure profiles for different patients Whether the inflatable liner can successfully compress the heart Provides the inflation system with a certain degree of personal heart rhythm or pressure profile. It depends on whether you can control it. An important point to consider is that This is a sudden increase in ventricular pressure seen in the early stages, which can take about 50-100 mi. It only takes a second, but during that time it squeezes in time.   Conventional inflation system for controlling pressure pulse rise time and plateau level One system utilizes a single regulator / reservoir configuration. This system consists of a compressor connected to the regulator, And a reservoir disposed downstream of the vehicle. Outflow valve connected to reservoir outlet And a dilatation chin disposed within a heart compression device for supporting and assisting the heart. In fluid communication with the chamber. During operation, compressor to regulator Fluid is supplied to the tank, thereby maintaining a predetermined pressure in the tank. Chamber Expansion causes an exponentially rising pressure transient in the chamber by opening the outflow valve. By generating a pressure condition, this pressure transient gradually increases to the supply pressure level. Approach a relatively constant pressure or plateau level within a known response time. Stipulate.   This system ensures that the pressure on the liner never exceeds the supply pressure Functioning relatively well, and this configuration The toe level can be adjusted relatively accurately, but the rise Changes are not independently controlled. In general, the waveform can be represented as:                 P = P_PLATEAU* [1-exp (-t / T)] In the equation, t indicates time, and T indicates a system time constant. As shown in FIG. Regardless of the constant, the time constant T does not change, and only the value of the plateau level changes. this Due to the characteristics, controlling the rise time using a conventional inflation system generally requires: Change system resistance, capacitance, or source regulator pressure It is only possible by Therefore, the transient response to plateau level is Typically, the time constant is about three. The time it takes to reach the plateau level The rise time, which is known as the Depends on characteristics. So you can only control the plateau level Then, the rise time cannot be controlled independently.   In addition, due to limited operating environment requirements, conventional inflation systems Often located several feet away from the expansion chamber. for that reason A relatively long hose is usually used to connect the inflation system to the compression device liner. I'm using As a result, coupled with the effects of the overall system resistance and pressure load, At the time constants achievable with conventional inflation systems, system performance is substantially reduced I have. Also, lowering the resistance by increasing the diameter of the tube increases the flow rate The size, weight, and cost of the parts needed to make the system practical This is undesirable from a point of view.   Alternatively, the source pressure may be substantially higher than the desired plateau pressure. Therefore, some of the above-mentioned problems can be solved. The pressure circuit was described earlier Similar to the first plan, but placed in series with the outflow valve And a control valve. Operation of the system begins with opening both valves simultaneously. The release timing is strictly adjusted, and the exponential function is characteristic of the source pressure level. Place the liner under increasing pressure and then reach the desired plateau level Close the control valve and trap pressure inside the liner for a set time. Is determined by   This proposal provides a way to control the rise time independently of the desired plateau pressure There are some advantages to doing so, but closing the control valve at exactly the right moment Therefore, the precise timing required to effectively control the plateau level It's actually difficult to do so. This is typically from the moment the valve is closed This is due to the equilibration time required to actually reach the plateau pressure. The result As a result, the system may overshoot or undershoot the plateau pressure Often results in unpredictable bias in the liner of a cardiac compression device. I will.   Therefore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that with minimal parts count, accurate reproducibility, By independently controlling both the ratau levels, a predetermined pressure profile Have recognized that there is a need for an inflation system that can follow the rules. The present invention The inflation system of the present invention meets this need.Summary of the Invention   The inflation system of the present invention has independently controllable rise times and plateau levels Direct inflation of the heart compression device according to a predefined pressure profile. It provides a simple means. In addition, the system minimizes the number of parts To minimize dimensions and associated procurement and operating costs.   In order to achieve the above-mentioned advantages, the inflation system of the present invention provides a first embodiment. The pressure cycle profile rise time and plateau applied to the expansion chamber -Control the level independently. The present invention, in one aspect, applies a fluid to a predetermined pressure. An air source for pressure and a pressure passage disposed in fluid flow communication with the air source. I can. This pressure passage provides a regulating device for setting the high and low pressure levels. Have. The supply mechanism arranged at the outlet of the pressure passage has a switchable predetermined holding mechanism. The chamber rises, alternating between high and low pressure levels according to duration It can be manipulated to define time and plateau levels.   In another aspect, the invention is directed to a heart for supporting and assisting a periodic pulsation of the heart. Includes auxiliary systems. This heart assist system evenly compresses the support cup and heart. A heart compression device having an internal inflation chamber for compression. Expansion The stem applies a pressure pulse to the inflation chamber, increasing the pressure pulse rise time and plateau. -The heart is periodically compressed by controlling the level independently . The inflation system includes an air source for pressurizing a fluid to a predetermined pressure, and an air source. And a pressure passage arranged in fluid communication. This pressure passage is high and low An adjusting device is provided for setting these pressure levels. Located at the outlet of the pressure passage The supply mechanism is adapted to raise or lower the chamber according to a predetermined switchable duration. Alternate under each pressure level to define the rise time and plateau level. Can be operated as follows.   In yet another aspect, the invention provides for increasing a pressure cycle on an expansion chamber. Includes methods to independently control time and plateau levels. This method uses a pressure reservoir Place the chamber under the first pressure from Exponentially increases the pressure in the chamber for an adjustable duration that defines the rise time Following the step of raising and the end of this duration, the pressure in the reservoir is Switching to a constant second pressure defining the level.   In still yet another aspect, the invention provides a method wherein the pressure is substantially higher than a desired plateau pressure. Includes source pressure. The pressure circuit has two output tubes extending from the tank. on the other hand Output tube between the regulated first high pressure tube and the regulated second plateau pressure tube A switching valve for switching is provided. The second output tube is connected to the compression device line via the supply valve. Connected to the inner. The operation of the system ensures that the switching valve is precisely timed. First, put the liner under a high pressure level higher than the plateau pressure level, The valve is then switched when the desired predetermined percentage of plateau pressure is reached, thereby Determined by fluidly connecting the liner to the plateau pressure. Then shrink At the end of the period, switch the supply valve to the closed side (vent the liner to outside air).   Other features and advantages of the present invention will be understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. And will become clearer.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES   FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one non-limiting example of a heart assist device for assisting a heart. An important application example of the light inflation system is shown.   2A and 2B are block diagrams of a conventional inflation system.   FIGS. 3A and 3B show the conventional inflation system shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, respectively. FIG.   FIG. 4 is a graph of the undesirable response to the conventional inflation system shown in FIG. 2B. Display.   FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an inflation system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.   FIG. 6 shows part of the pressure profile of the inflation system shown in FIG. It is a timing diagram.   FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an inflation system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.   FIG. 8 shows part of the pressure profile of the inflation system shown in FIG. It is a timing diagram.   FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an inflation system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.   FIG. 10 shows part of the pressure profile of the inflation system shown in FIG. It is a timing diagram.   FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an inflation system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.   FIG. 12 shows part of the pressure profile of the inflation system shown in FIG. It is a timing diagram.Detailed description of the invention   The inflation system of the present invention provides a first pressure level and a second pressure level with a minimum number of parts. To switch between pressure profile rise time and plateau Control the bell independently. Rise time and plateau level control are controlled by mechanical heart support. Properly match the pressure pulse of the auxiliary system to the natural pulse of the beating heart It is important to give sufficient response time to   By way of example, FIG. 1 shows that by compressing the ventricle substantially evenly during systole, To help the heart 13 pump blood into the vasculature 1 shows a heart compression device 12. One example of such a device is filed on October 18, 1996. No. 60 / 028,722, currently pending, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Is incorporated herein by reference. The heart has an internal expansion chamber or line The liner 16 is located inside a device lined with a It has a port 18 for connection to an inflation system.   Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 3A, a pressure pump synchronized with the pulsating heart 13 is shown. A first conventional inflation system for generating a lofil is shown generally at 34. ing. The system 34 includes an air outlet connected to a regulator 38. A compressor 36 and a reservoir or tank located downstream of the regulator C 40. The outlet of the reservoir is connected to the first control valve 43. Control valve 4 3 is a two-way valve, the outlet of which is arranged in a heart compression device 12 of the type shown in FIG. To the expanded expansion chamber. The operation of the control valve 43 is controlled by a controller (Not shown) to control with relatively accurate timing as shown in FIG. 3A. You. The operation of the first conventional inflation system involves moving the compressor into the regulator. To provide a fluid flow to maintain the desired pressure in the tank. Liner 1 The expansion of 6 opens the first control valve 43 and increases the asymptotically rising pressure into the chamber. This is done by generating a transient. Supply maintained in tank 40 The source pressure is the desired plateau pressure. After a predetermined time has elapsed, the control valve 4 3 and the expansion chamber port 19 of the device 12 now flows with the reservoir 44. Make the body flow. The chamber 44 is exhausted to the outside air.   2B and 3B, a pressure synchronized with the pulsating heart 13 is shown. A second conventional inflation system for generating a profile The entire system is shown at 34. This system 34 has a regulator 3 8 and an air compressor 36 connected downstream of the regulator. And a reservoir or tank 40 provided. The outlet of the reservoir is connected to the first control valve 42 Connected. Downstream of the first control valve, a three-way two-position distribution valve 43 is in fluid flow communication. And its outlet is connected to an inflation tube located in a heart compression device 12 of the type shown in FIG. It is aimed at Chamber. The operation of the control valves 42 and 43 is controlled by a controller (not shown). ) Is controlled at a relatively accurate timing as shown in FIG. 3B.   In the operation of the second conventional expansion system, the compressor goes into the regulator A fluid flow is provided, thereby maintaining the desired pressure in the tank. Liner 16 Expansion of the first control valve 42 and the distribution valve 43 at the same time to gradually open the chamber. This is done by generating a locally rising pressure transient. To balance effect When the predetermined duration calculated in consideration of such time has elapsed, the control valve 42 is closed, A pressure circuit traps pressurized gas in the liner. Predetermined time corresponding to systole After the passage, the distribution valve is operated to exhaust the liner to the outside air.   FIG. 4 shows that due to the slight inaccuracies in the aforementioned timing alignment, Demonstrates the effect that the desired plateau level causes unwanted overshoot It is something. These effects can cause unnecessary pressure on the heart , And unexpected stress is applied to the expansion liner 16, so that the heart compression Application is often undesirable.   Referring now to FIG. 5, the inflation system of the first embodiment of the present invention is generally 50 in diameter. It is shown. In this system 50, the rise time of the pressure pulse applied to the device and Plateau level can be controlled independently Wear. The system includes a pair of parallel pressure passages in fluid communication with an air source 56. 52 and 54 are provided. Air source 56 is typically between 6 psi and 60 psi (300 psi). Controllable core capable of generating a pressurized gas with a pressure of ~ 3000 mmHg) Includes compressor or pump. Another source for this application is cylinders. Control the pressure of the incoming pressurized gas or the pressure from the gas distribution pipes often provided in hospitals. Pressurized pneumatic system with appropriate plumbing to reduce pressure to a controllable level Underground.   The pressure passages 52 and 54 are provided with regulators 58 and 60 provided downstream of the pressure source 56. And are connected to tanks, ie, reservoirs 62 and 64, respectively. Regulator set to maintain high and low pressure levels in tank Have been. The high pressure level is typically set in the range of about 150-300 mmHg. And the low pressure level is usually about 60-150 mmHg. Each control valve 66, 68 Constitute a supply mechanism together, are arranged at tank outlets 70 and 72, Is supplied to the supply manifold 74. The manifold is connected to the exhaust mechanism 73 are doing. The exhaust mechanism 73 is preferably a three-way valve with a manifold 74 , A pipe from tank 75 is connected at the inlet to port 18 (FIG. 1) of the expansion chamber. The exiting pipe is the outlet. The tank 75 is designed to withstand ambient air, or negative pressure (ie, vacuum). Can be opened. In consideration of safety, the exhaust mechanism 73 is preferably It selectively communicates with an inlet pipe from the tank 75.   The controller 76 is electrically connected to the solenoids of the control valves 66 and 68, respectively. Subsequently, the states of the valves are controlled in order according to a predetermined timing scheme shown in FIG. I will.   Operation of the inflation system 50 generates a control signal 77 (FIG. 6) to Opening the supply control valve 66 and opening the valve 73 with respect to the manifold 74 The expansion chamber 16 is applied according to a higher value transient, which is characteristic of a given high pressure. Pressing. The end of the predetermined duration corresponding to the rise time of the pressure profile Instead, the high pressure supply valve 66 is closed by the second control signal 78 while the low pressure The supply valve 68 is opened. By adjusting the low pressure passage, the pressure inside the chamber is Quickly adjust to constant plateau pressure 79.   At the end of systole, controller 76 deactivates low pressure supply control valve 68. And a venting mechanism 73 to mimic the diastole of the heart's pressure profile. Pressurizes the chamber by rapidly evacuating the system to atmospheric pressure Return to the previous state. This entire cycle is 400-1 corresponding to the cyclical motion of the heart. Repeat in a relatively short time in 000 milliseconds.   Referring to FIG. 7, a modification of the present invention according to the second embodiment is indicated generally at 80. ing. In this modification, the number of parts required for implementing the present invention is reduced for simplicity. I have. Similar to the first embodiment shown in FIG. The low and high pressures driven by the lesser P and including the respective reservoirs 81 and 83 It includes power passages 82 and 84 and regulators 85 and 87. However, the above embodiment In contrast, the outlets of both tanks are connected to the same switching valve 86 which constitutes the supply mechanism. The switching valve 86 responds to the controller 89 to output the valve. Solenoid actuator for switching port 90 between high pressure inlet 92 and low pressure inlet 94 Data 88. The outlet 90 is connected to the pressure from the outlet 90 or from the tank 103. The atmosphere is connected to an exhaust mechanism 101 for introducing atmospheric pressure into the expansion chamber 16 (FIG. 1). Continue. The tank 103 may be open to outside air or negative pressure. Switching valve 86 and exhaust mechanism valve Reference numeral 101 denotes a supply mechanism.   Referring now to FIG. 8, the timing diagram used to operate the system 80 is shown. In the chime, the switching valve 86 opens the low pressure passage 84 to the outlet 90 It is considered to be initialized in the state. And the activation of pressure profile 8 , The exhaust mechanism 101 is activated by the signal 97, and the switching valve 86 is activated by the signal 98. Then start by placing the chamber under the set high pressure. Prophy After a preset duration corresponding to the rise time of the valve, the outlet of the switching valve 86 is switched off. , By returning to the normally open position by the signal 99, Pressurized gas is introduced into the chamber and set in advance corresponding to the plateau level 93. Low pressure level. After a predetermined desired duration of the plateau level, Activate the exhaust mechanism 101 with a controller to control the diastolic phase in the heart profile. Exhaust the system rapidly to accommodate the   Referring to FIG. 9, according to a third embodiment of the present invention, indicated generally at 100, the present invention The number of components required to implement the light principles can be further reduced. This cis The system pressurizes the reservoir 104 including the supply mechanism 106 and the exhaust mechanism 120 An air source 102 is included.   The air source 102 used in the third embodiment of the present invention is typically 60-300 m A controllable compressor capable of generating a pressurized gas at a pressure of Includes a pump. Another source suitable for this application is the use of pressurized gas in cylinders. Pressurized air with appropriate plumbing to reduce pressure to a controllable level Pneumatic cylinders. Or, often installed in hospitals in the form of gas distribution pipes. A pressurized gas that has been used can also be used as a pressure source.   The air source 102 includes a supply mechanism 106 and an exhaust mechanism, that is, a bypass machine. It connects to a tank or reservoir 104 that is placed in fluid flow communication with the structure 120. Offering Feed mechanism 106 typically responds to the operation of solenoid actuator 108. The operation of the actuator 108 is controlled by the control unit 12. 2 to control. The outlet of the three-way control valve 106 is connected to a pressure outlet 110, Is connected to the port 18 (FIG. 1) of the expansion chamber. Control valve 106 The inlet is connected to either tank 104 or tank 105. During the diastole To help shrink the inner, the tank 105 can be opened to the outside air , May be connected to a negative pressure (that is, vacuum). Bypass mechanism 120 is typically The back pressure regulator 114 connected to the reservoir bypass port and the solenoid A control valve 116 located at the regulator outlet 120 in response to the Including.   The control valve solenoids 108, 118 follow a predetermined timing scheme as shown in FIG. The controller 122 sends the control signals 124 and 126 to the control valve, And respond to it. Correlate timing scheme with pressure level This allows one tank and regulator to provide rise time and The ratau level can be controlled independently and easily.   9 and 10, during operation of the inflation system 100, the control The controller 122 activates the start control signal 126 to cause the valve 116 (flow from the tank 104 to flow). Valve 106 (in fluid communication with tank 105) is opened. To close. The valve 116 preferably opens when the pressure in the tank 104 -Pressure ("P_plateau"). Setting of the regulator 114 The plateau level can be easily controlled with relatively high accuracy simply by changing You. When the valves 116 and 106 are closed, the pressure in the tank 104 At the supply pressure of source 102 ("P_supply"). The valve 11 is closed while the valve 106 is closed. 6 is closed, the pressure in the tank 104 becomes P_plateauP higher than_supplyReach You. The controller 122 opens the supply valve 106 to open the chamber 18 (FIG. 1). The pipe 110 connected to the inside is denoted by P_supply150-500 mmHg equal to Keep under pressure gas. At the same time, or slightly about 10 to 100 ms The valve 116 is opened by the control signal 126 and the pressure in the chamber 18 is turned off. -P without overshooting_plateauApproach. The pressure inside the chamber 18 is , A second control signal 126 is transmitted from the controller to the control valve solenoid 11. Until 8 is released, P_supplyRises exponentially toward. Two control signals The set duration between corresponds to the rise time of the pressure profile. Systolic Versus To change the rise time as needed to approximate the corresponding natural rise time At the same time, the compressor pressure and the set duration can be easily adjusted. It will be understood by those skilled in the art.   At the end of systole, controller 122 deactivates supply control valve 106. The chamber is closed by venting the system to atmospheric pressure Release the pressure inside and return the chamber to its original state before pressurization. This entire cycle Relatively within about 400-1000 milliseconds, typically corresponding to the cyclic motion of the heart Repeat in a short time.   FIG. 11 shows another modification of the present invention according to the fourth embodiment, generally at 160. ing. In this embodiment, only one reservoir 142 is required. Outlet of pressure source 140 Is in direct fluid flow communication with the reservoir 142. By the first bypass outlet passage , The tank 142 is connected to the first high pressure passage 152 or the The two low pressure passages 154 are in fluid communication. Regulators 144 and 146 respectively Passage 152, 154. Regulator 144 plateaus the pressure in tube 152 Set to a predetermined pressure higher than the pressure. Regulator 146 controls the pressure in tube 154 To the plateau pressure. The inlet of each of the fluid pipes 152 and 154 is one Connect to the same switching valve 148. The controller 162 determines that the tank 142 is high. The valve is in fluid communication with either pressure tube 152 or plateau pressure tube 154. 148 is switched.   The second outlet pipe 150 connects the outlet of the tank 142 to a supply mechanism or valve 156 for fluid flow. Connection. The supply valve 156 is similar to the supply valve 106 shown in FIG. Toes The valve 156 is also a three-way valve. The inlet to the control valve 156 may be a tank 142 or a tank. 164. Tank 164 is open to outside air or negative pressure You may.   Still referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, during operation of the inflation system 160, The roller 162 activates the start control signal 166 to connect the valve 148 with the high pressure pipe 152. Switch to fluid communication. Thereafter, the control signal 122 changes to the start control signal 16. 8 to activate the liner in fluid flow communication with tank 142 via outlet tube 150 The supply valve 156 is opened as described above. At the same time, or only about 10 ms 100 milliseconds later, controller 162 activates a signal and tank 142 This time, the valve 148 is switched so that it is in fluid communication with the plateau tube 154. That As a result, the pressure in the tank 142 is immediately adjusted to the plateau pressure, The pressure in the chamber 18 is P_plateauApproach. FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the pressure in the chamber 18 is controlled by a signal sent from the controller. Valve 148 is switched and the tank is now in fluid communication with plateau pressure line 154 Until the pressure rises exponentially toward the pressure set in the high pressure tube 152. FIG. The rise to high pressure, indicated by the slope 170 of the pressure profile of Although functional, this line is actually due to the relatively high pressure setting in tube 152. One skilled in the art will understand that it is straight. At the end of this diastole, The controller 162 switches the supply valve 156 to set the chamber 18 at atmospheric pressure. Or by abruptly venting to a negative pressure, if desired, To the position.   An embodiment of the present invention is described for an independently controllable rise time in the pressure profile. And described above, for example, with respect to time, such as pressure or force profiles. In controlling the rise time of various diagnostic waveforms indicative of cardiac parameters, It will be appreciated that the present invention can be used.   One skilled in the art will appreciate the many benefits provided by the inflation system of the present invention. Will. Particularly noticeable advantages are the rise time of the pressure profile and the plateau level. It can be controlled independently. This feature allows the pressure pal Adjust the system to fit the patient's pressure profile substantially, The rhythm of the system can be made more synchronized with the heart's natural periodic pulsation. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the destructive interference between the assist device and the heart itself. Can help the heart to its fullest.   The invention also incorporates a simple design that works with a minimum number of mechanical parts. There is also an advantage. Purchasing and operating the system by minimizing the number of parts The cost of the crop is dramatically reduced. In addition, minimize the number of mechanical parts. Reduces the overall size and complexity of the inflation system, System can be very suitable as a portable device. Maintenance costs The reliability of the system is improved due to the relatively small number of parts and corresponding piping.   Although the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, Make various changes in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope It will be understood by those skilled in the art that it is possible.

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page    (81) Designated countries EP (AT, BE, CH, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, L U, MC, NL, PT, SE), OA (BF, BJ, CF) , CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, GM, KE, LS, M W, SD, SZ, UG, ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY) , KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AL, AM , AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, CA, CH, CN, CU, CZ, DE, DK, EE, E S, FI, GB, GE, GW, HU, ID, IL, IS , JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MD, MG, MK, M N, MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU , SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, UA, UG, UZ, VN, YU, ZW (72) Inventors Levin, Howard, Earl             United States New Jersey 07666,             Tea neck, pomander walk             406 (72) Inventors Seiselson, Nome, S             United States Maryland 21209, Bo             Ltimore, Chokeberry Road             6719 (72) Michael Man, Paul, Sea             10040, New York, United States             New York, Kabulin Boulevard             De 360, Apartment 5 F

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Rise time and plateau of pressure cycle profile applied to expansion chamber An inflation system for independently controlling the level, the system comprising:     An air source for pressurizing the fluid to a predetermined pressure;     Placed in fluid flow communication with the source to set respective high and low pressure levels A pressure passage including an adjustment device for     At the outlet of the pressure passage, according to a predetermined switchable duration, said The chambers are alternately placed below the high and low pressure levels and the rise time Expansion system comprising a supply mechanism operable to define a plateau level and a plateau level. M 2. The expansion system according to claim 1, wherein said air source comprises an air compressor. Stem. 3. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said air source comprises a pre-pressurized pneumatic cylinder. An inflation system as described. 4. The inflation system of claim 1, wherein the air source comprises a pump. 5. The inflation system according to claim 1, wherein the air source comprises an air distribution line. 6. The predetermined high pressure level is within a range of 150 to 300 mmHg. And     The claim 1 wherein the low pressure level is in the range of 60-150 mmHg. An inflation system according to claim 1. 7. The pressure passage,     A reservoir having an inlet disposed in fluid flow communication with the air source;     The reservoir is placed in fluid communication with the reservoir and, after the duration has elapsed, the reservoir. Under control of the pressure in the zaber to a second pressure that defines the plateau level A controllable bypass mechanism operable to release. An inflation system according to claim 1. 8. The reservoir includes a tank;     The claim wherein the supply mechanism includes a supply control valve located downstream of the tank. The inflation system of claim 7. 9. A regulator wherein the bypass mechanism has an inlet connected to the reservoir And a bypass control valve connected to the outlet of the regulator. An inflation system according to claim 7. Ten. Generate a predetermined periodic signal to control the supply mechanism and the bypass control valve 10. The inflation system according to claim 9, further comprising a controller for performing the operation. Tem. 11． The controller is a timer defined by the switchable duration. Generates first and second signals according to the timing And     The supply mechanism operates in response to the first signal and provides an essentially exponential pressure. As the pressure rises, the chamber is placed under the predetermined pressure,     The bypass mechanism operates in response to the second signal to reduce the chamber pressure. 11. The inflation system of claim 10, wherein said inflation system relaxes to said plateau level. 12． The pressure passage,     A high pressure reservoir connected to the air source and maintaining a first pressure within the reservoir; A high-pressure passage having a regulator;     A low-pressure reservoir connected to the air source and disposed in parallel with the high-pressure passage; A low pressure passage with a regulator for maintaining a second pressure in the reservoir. The inflation system according to claim 1. 13. A first inlet and a second inlet connected to the high-pressure passage and the low-pressure passage, respectively; An outlet connected to the chamber, between the first pressure passage and the second pressure passage. To selectively control the pressure in the chamber and correspondingly increase the Further comprising a switching valve operable to control the time and plateau level, An inflation system according to claim 12. 14. A controller for generating a predetermined periodic signal to control the switching valve 14. The inflation system of claim 13, further comprising: 15． The controller is a timer defined by the switchable duration. Generating a first and a second signal, respectively, according to the imaging;     The switching valve operates in response to the first signal to open the high-pressure passage. And the chamber is subjected to the first pressure, essentially according to an exponential pressure rise. Down and operated in response to the second signal to close the high pressure passage. Claims wherein the low pressure passage is sometimes opened and the chamber is under the second pressure. Clause 14. The inflation system of clause 14. 16． A tank in fluid communication with one of atmospheric pressure or negative pressure, the tank having an outlet When,     First connecting to the outlet of the switching valve and the outlet of the tank respectively An exhaust mechanism having an inlet end and a second inlet end, wherein the outlet connects to the chamber. 14. The expansion system according to claim 13, further comprising an exhaust mechanism having a port. M 17． The exhaust mechanism is in selective fluid communication with the outlet of the tank. 17. The inflation system of claim 16. 18． The high pressure level is in the range of 150-300 mmHg;     The first claim, wherein the low pressure level is in the range of 60-150 mmHg. An inflation system according to claim 2. 19. A first control valve connected to the high pressure passage, and a second control connected to the low pressure passage A valve,     An outlet of the first control valve, each communicating with a common supply manifold, and 13. The expansion system according to claim 12, further comprising an outlet of the second control valve. Tem. 20. A tank in fluid communication with one of atmospheric pressure or negative pressure, the tank having an outlet When,     A first inlet and a second inlet respectively connected to the manifold and the outlet of the tank; An exhaust mechanism comprising a mouth, and an exhaust device having an outlet connected to the chamber. 20. The inflation system of claim 19, further comprising a girder. twenty one. The exhaust mechanism is in selective fluid communication with the outlet of the tank. 21. The inflation system of claim 20. twenty two. Rise time and plateau of pressure cycle profile applied to expansion chamber An inflation system for independently controlling the level, the system comprising:     An air source for pressurizing the fluid to a predetermined pressure;     Placed in fluid flow communication with the source to set respective high and low pressure levels A pressure passage including an adjustment device for     A reservoir having an inlet disposed in fluid flow communication with the air source;     The reservoir is placed in fluid communication with the reservoir and, after the duration has elapsed, the reservoir. Under control of the pressure in the zaber to a second pressure that defines the plateau level A controllable switching valve operable to be loosened;   At the outlet of the pressure passage, according to a predetermined switchable duration, the The chambers are alternately placed below the high pressure level and the low pressure level, An inflation system comprising a supply mechanism operable to define the gap and plateau level. Stem. twenty three. The reservoir includes a tank;     The claim wherein the supply mechanism includes a supply control valve located downstream of the tank. 23. The inflation system of claim 22. twenty four. A first inlet, wherein the switching valve is a first pressure passage adjusted to the high pressure level; A port, a second inlet connected to the second pressure passage regulated to the low pressure level, and 23. The inflator of claim 22 including a three-way valve having an outlet connected to the reservoir. Zhang system. twenty five. Generate a predetermined periodic signal to control the supply mechanism and the switching valve The inflation system according to claim 24, further comprising a controller for: M 26. The controller is a timer defined by the switchable duration. Generating a first and a second signal, respectively, according to the imaging;     The supply mechanism operates in response to the first signal and provides an essentially exponential pressure. As the pressure rises, the chamber is placed under the predetermined pressure,     The switching valve operates in response to the second signal to increase the chamber pressure. Claim 25, loosening to the plateau level On-board inflation system. 27. A heart assist system for supporting and assisting a periodic pulsation of the heart, The compression system     Having a support cup and an internal inflation chamber for evenly compressing the heart Heart compression device     A pressure pulse is applied to the expansion chamber, and the rise time of the pressure pulse and the plateau Inflation to bring the heart into a cyclic compression state by controlling the bell independently And the inflation system comprises:     An air source for pressurizing the fluid to a predetermined pressure;     Placed in fluid flow communication with the source to set respective high and low pressure levels A pressure passage including an adjustment device for     At the outlet of the pressure passage, according to a predetermined switchable duration, said The chambers are alternately placed below the high pressure level and the low pressure level, Cardiac prosthesis comprising a delivery mechanism operable to define the gap and plateau level. Auxiliary system. 28. Above the pressure cycle on the inflatable liner located in the heart compression device A method for independently controlling rise time and plateau level, the method comprising:     The liner is placed under a first pressure from a pressure reservoir and the rise time is defined. The pressure in the liner is essentially an exponential function over a controllable duration Step of raising     Following the passage of the duration, the pressure in the reservoir is increased to the plateau level Switching to a constant second pressure that defines the pressure within the heart compression device. Pressure on the expanded inflatable liner A method for independently controlling the rise time and plateau level of the cycle. 29. The step of switching includes a regulation disposed in fluid flow communication with the reservoir. And a bypass mechanism having a control valve connected to an outlet of the regulator. 28. The method of claim 27, including the step of reducing the pressure in said reservoir. the method of. 30. A method for assisting a heart pulsation, wherein the pulsation corresponds to a definable systole, The method comprises:     Selecting a cardiac compression device having a support cup and an inflatable liner; ,     The liner is placed under a first pressure from a pressure reservoir to define the rise time. Exponentially increasing the pressure in the liner for a controllable duration of time. About     Following the passage of the duration, the pressure in the reservoir is increased to the plateau level Switching to a constant second pressure that defines Law. 31. The step of selecting,     An air source for pressurizing the fluid to a predetermined pressure; and an air source disposed in fluid flow communication with the source. A pressure passage including an adjusting device for setting each of the high and low pressure levels; The chamber is arranged at the outlet of a force passage and according to a predetermined switchable duration. Alternately below the high pressure level and the low pressure level, and the rise time and A supply mechanism operable to define the toe level. 31. The method of claim 30, comprising providing.