Venous blood flow stimulator for extracorporeal therapy
Inventors
Lerner, David • Haskvitz, David J.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12011416-B2
Publication Date
2024-06-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
A blood flow stimulator may help encourage blood flow in a limb of a patient. The blood flow stimulator may include a housing configured for sealing about the limb of the patient. The housing may include a sealable volume, and the sealable volume may receive the limb of the patient. The blood flow stimulator may include a seal, and the seal may be coupled with the housing. The seal may engage with at least a portion of the limb, for instance to segregate the sealable volume from a surrounding environment of the blood flow stimulator. The blood flow stimulator may include a conduit extending through the housing. The conduit mat help provide access to the sealable volume, for instance from the surrounding environment. In some examples, an adjustable stent is utilized to enhance blood flow within vasculature of a patient. A stent operator may change a size of the stent.
Core Innovation
The invention describes a blood flow stimulator for encouraging blood flow in a limb of a patient. The stimulator includes a housing configured for sealing about the limb and configured to receive the limb within a sealable volume. A first seal coupled with the housing engages the limb to segregate the sealable volume from a surrounding environment of the blood flow stimulator.
A second seal within the sealable volume engages the limb to segregate the sealable volume into a first section and a second section. The housing includes a first conduit that provides access to the sealable volume from the surrounding environment and is configured to receive a portion of a blood filtration circuit external of the patient. The housing also includes a second conduit in communication with the first section and a third conduit in communication with the second section.
A force generator is configured for communication with the second conduit and the third conduit. The force generator generates a pressure differential within the sealable volume and generates a force upon skin of the limb to encourage blood flow in the limb when the limb is received in the sealable volume. The disclosure further describes optional controller-based operation, including modulation in synchronization with a respiratory cycle.
The disclosure further describes an optional adjustable stent integrated with a catheter to enlarge a vasculature and a catheter annular space. A stent operator transitions between collapsed and expanded configurations, and control can be based on measured access resistance, catheter pressures, or respiratory state.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim defines a venous blood flow stimulator that seals a patient limb in a segregated sealable volume and uses a force generator to create a pressure differential that applies force to the skin. It includes three inventive features, with further refinements directed to controller-based operation, respiratory-cycle synchronized modulation, and a hinged housing configuration.
Sealed limb in a sealable volume with segregating seals
A housing configured for sealing about the limb, the housing including a sealable volume configured to receive the limb; a first seal coupled with the housing engages the limb to segregate the sealable volume from a surrounding environment; and a second seal within the sealable volume engages the limb to segregate the sealable volume into a first section and a second section.
Conduit access to external blood filtration circuit
A first conduit extending through the housing, where the first conduit provides access to the sealable volume from the surrounding environment and is configured to receive a portion of a blood filtration circuit external of the patient; and a second conduit extending through the housing in communication with the first section and a third conduit extending through the housing in communication with the second section.
Force-generated pressure differential applied to limb skin
A force generator configured for communication with the second conduit and the third conduit, where the force generator generates a pressure differential within the sealable volume and generates a force upon skin of the limb to encourage blood flow in the limb when the limb is received in the sealable volume.
Controller operating and modulating force generation
A controller with processing circuitry configured to operate a force generator to generate force on the patient’s skin.
Respiratory-cycle synchronized modulation
A controller configured to modulate a force generator in synchronization with the patient’s respiratory cycle.
Hinged housing for open and closed configuration
A housing having two segments connected by a hinge that allows transitioning the housing between an open configuration and a closed configuration.
Across the independent claim and its refinements, the core coverage centers on sealing a limb in a sealable volume with segregating seals, routing conduits to a portion of an external blood filtration circuit, and using a force generator to create a pressure differential that applies force to the limb skin to encourage blood flow. Dependent features further add controller-based operation, respiratory-cycle synchronized modulation, and a hinged open/closed housing configuration.
Stated Advantages
Encourages blood flow in the limb of the patient.
Documented Applications
Used with extracorporeal blood filtration systems, where a portion of a blood filtration circuit external of the patient is received via the first conduit.
Optional adjustable stent integrated with a catheter to enlarge vasculature and a catheter annular space.
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