Importance

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Abstract

An internal body pump is a continuous loop with a fluid therein. The continuous loop is extendable into areas of a person's body having different pressure levels. Preferably the loop extends through a person's diaphragm with a first portion of the loop being in the thoracic area above the diaphragm and a second portion of the loop being in the abdominal area below the diaphragm. The loop includes pressure responsive members or sections as a part thereof, preferably locatable in both the thoracic and abdominal areas, and fluid is caused to flow in the continuous loop due to changes in pressure conditions imposed upon the pressure responsive members or sections resulting from the breathing activity of the person. A prosthesis for implanting in a patient's body has outer and inner walls defining a peripheral fluid channel therebetween for receiving the flow of a fluid therethrough. The inner wall provides the periphery of an internal chamber through said prosthesis. Preferably the inner wall is elastic and provides peristaltic action as fluid is directed through the fluid channel. The fluid channel is, a single compartment or includes multiple compartments separated by one-way valves. The prosthesis of this invention can be within the continuous loop of the internal body pump to direct fluid moving in the pump through the peripheral fluid channel of the prosthesis.

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First Claim