Heart assist device with expandable impeller pump

US9364592B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• The Penn State Research Foundation · US
• Thoratec Corporation · US

Inventors

• Mark W. McBride · Bellefonte, US
• David A. Boger · Benson East, US
• Robert L. Campbell · Port Matilda, US
• Gregory P. Dillon · State College, US
• Stephen A. Hambric · State College, US
• Robert F. Kunz · State College, US
• Boris Leschinsky · Mahwah, US
• Thomas M. Mallison · State College, US
• James P. Runt · State College, US
• Justin M. Walsh · Spring Mills, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 12, 2010
• Grant date: Jun 14, 2016
• Expiry date: Nov 12, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F05B2280/5001
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An impeller includes a hub and at least one blade supported by the hub. The impeller has a stored configuration in which the blade is compressed so that its distal end moves towards the hub, and a deployed configuration in which the blade extends away from the hub. The impeller may be part of a pump for pumping fluids, such as pumping blood within a patient. A blood pump may include a cannula having a proximal portion with a fixed diameter, and a distal portion with an expandable diameter. The impeller may reside in the expandable portion of the cannula. The cannula may have a compressed diameter which allows it to be inserted percutaneously into a patient. Once at a desired location, the expandable portion of the cannula may be expanded and the impeller expanded to the deployed configuration. A flexible drive shaft may extend through the cannula for rotationally driving the impeller within the patient's body.