Actuating mechanism for pneumatically-driven artificial heart
US8021422B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 18, 2009 |
| Grant date | Sep 20, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 19, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M60/43
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A pneumatic pump comprises two coaxial cylindrical pumping chambers, each enclosing a piston connected to the other through a partition by a tube, thereby forming a monolithic piston assembly that is driven axially by a common electrical actuator providing reciprocating motion. The volume in the bottom chamber is selected as needed to provide the desired pressure in the left ventricle of an artificial heart driven by the pump. The diameter of the tube connecting the pistons is selected such that the stroke volume of the top chamber is reduced with respect to that of the bottom chamber as needed to match the reduced pressure requirements of the right ventricle of the artificial heart. Check valves are used in each chamber to ensure venting of excess pressure during the blood ejection phase and to limit the vacuum during the fill phase.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.