Peri-arterial blood flow booster

Abstract

A peri-arterial blood flow booster apparatus for improving blood pressure and flow, to be implanted around a blood vessel of a patient. The booster comprises a pressure applying device ( 56 ) comprising at least one balloon ( 44 ), placed alongside a portion of the blood vessel and a restrainer ( 54 ) for restraining the balloon and providing counter-forces. It further comprises a control console ( 60 ) comprising: an inflating unit ( 66 ) for rapidly inflating and deflating the balloon, the inflating unit connected to the balloon; sensing means ( 68 ) for sensing electrocardiograph signals of the patient; a control unit ( 72 ) for controlling the operation of the inflating unit correlating to the electrocardiograph signals detected by the sensing means. When the balloon is inflated the restrainer forces it to compress the portion of the blood vessel preventing backflow and exerting forces on the blood vessel forcing blood within the portion of the blood vessel to flow antegradely.

1 . A peri-arterial blood flow booster apparatus for improving blood pressure and flow, to be implanted around a blood vessel of a patient, the booster comprising:
 a pressure-applying device comprising at least one balloon placed alongside a portion of the blood vessel, and a restrainer for restraining the balloon and providing counter-forces; and   a control console comprising:   an inflating unit for rapidly inflating and deflating the balloon, the inflating unit being connected to the balloon;   sensing means for sensing electrocardiograph signals of the patient; and   a control unit for controlling the operation of the inflating unit in correlation with the electrocardiograph signals detected by the sensing means;   whereby when the balloon is inflated the restrainer forces it to compress the portion of the blood vessel, preventing backflow and exerting forces on the blood vessel, forcing blood within the portion of the blood vessel to flow antegradely.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the restrainer is in the form of a sleeve. 
   
   
       3 . (canceled) 
   
   
       4 . (canceled) 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the balloon comprises at least two inflatable compartments. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein at least two inflatable compartments are independently inflatable. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensing means is further provided for sensing blood pressure. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control console is implantable within the patient's body. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control console is small enough to be carried by the patient. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the control console is adapted to be attached to a belt to be worn by the patient. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further provided with a sheath. 
   
   
       12 . A method for improving blood flow and pressure through an occluded blood vessel of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a pressure-applying device comprising at least one balloon placed alongside a portion of the blood vessel, and a restrainer for restraining the balloon and providing counter-forces;   providing a control console comprising:   an inflating unit for rapidly inflating and deflating the balloon, the inflating unit being connected to the balloon;   sensing means for sensing electrocardiograph signals of the patient; and   a control unit for controlling the operation of the inflating unit correlating to the electrocardiograph signals detected by the sensing means;   sensing the electrocardiograph signals of the patient; and   inflating and deflating said at least one balloon at a predetermined rate, in correlation with the electrocardiograph signals, so as to prevent backflow and compress the portion of the blood vessel in order to force blood within said portion to advance antegradely.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the restrainer is in the form of a sleeve. 
   
   
       14 . (canceled) 
   
   
       15 . (canceled) 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the balloon comprises at least two inflatable compartments. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the two inflatable compartments are independently inflatable. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the sensing means is further provided for sensing blood pressure. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising implanting the control console within the patient's body. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the control console is small enough to be carried by the patient. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the control console is adapted to be attached to a belt to be worn by the patient. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the blood vessel is an artery. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the artery is an iliac artery. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein both of the patient's iliac arteries are treated. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the artery is in the Descending Aorta in the chest of the patient. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising providing a sheath covering the balloon, the sheath being placed between the blood vessel and the balloon to secure the balloon in place and provide an efficient facilitator for balloon replacement. 
   
   
       27 . (canceled) 
   
   
       28 . (canceled)