Implantable centrifugal blood pump with hybrid magnetic bearings

US7462019B1 · kind B1 · utility

Inventors

• Paul E. Allarie · Charlottesville, US
• Gill B. Bearnson · Salt Lake City, US
• Ron Flack · Earlysville, US
• Pratap S. Khanwilkar · Salt Lake City, US
• B. Ajit Kumar · Salt Lake City, US
• James W. Long · Salt Lake City, US
• Don B. Olsen · Salt Lake City, US
• Jeffrey Decker · Lerna, US
• Michael Baloh · Charlottesville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 22, 1999
• Grant date: Dec 9, 2008
• Expiry date: Apr 22, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16C2360/44
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A pump for pumping sensitive fluids, such as blood, having no mechanical contact between the impeller and any other structure. The pump comprises a pump housing, an impeller disposed within the pump housing, a magnetic bearing system for supporting and stabilizing the impeller in five degrees of freedom, and a conformally shaped magnetically linked motor for rotating the impeller. The magnetic bearing system and motor advantageously comprise electromagnets and permanent magnets for stability and control of the impeller, and to reduce size, weight, and pump power consumption. Permanent and electromagnets are disposed on the pump housing and permanent magnets are disposed on the impeller such that by controlling electric current through the electromagnets on the housing, the magnetically suspended impeller functions as the rotor, and the housing as the stator of a D.C. motor. The system advantageously allows for sensing of relative impeller position and dynamic properties without the need for additional sensors. The fluid inlet, pump impeller, housing, and other components are configured such that flow patterns are as smooth and laminar as possible to reduce damage to the fluid, and …