Implantable pump apparatuses
First Claim
1. A pump assembly comprising:
- a main body having an anterior end, a posterior end, and an interior chamber;
an intake conduit having an open end, and an opposing end of said intake conduit fluidly coupled to said anterior end;
an outlet conduit having an open end, and an opposing end fluidly coupled to said interior chamber at one end;
a first valve means for selectively allowing fluid flow from said intake conduit to said interior chamber, a second valve means for selectively allowing fluid flow from said interior chamber into and through said drainage conduit;
fluid displacement means for causing fluid flow through said main body, said fluid displacement means including an elastic bladder with elasticated sidewalls biased in an expanded state;
whereby external pressure fluctuations cause deflection and/or expansion of said elasticated sidewalls harvesting energy from the environment and using that energy to continuously pumping fluid out of the anterior chamber.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable, miniature pump assembly having a flexible elastic bladder actuating assembly. The bladder, in the non-flexed state, has an elongated, substantially rectangular profile, with a predetermined internal volume or capacity. Influent and effluent conduits extend in opposite directions from respective end portions of the bladder. Each of the conduits include one way valves disposed therein to limit fluid flow to a single direction into and through the bladder. Contraction and expansion of the bladder by means of energy harvested from the dynamic environment in which it is implanted in response to ambient random dynamic motion creates alternating pressure and vacuum within the bladder, alternately drawing fluid into the bladder through the influent conduit, and forcing fluid from the bladder via the effluent conduit. The bladder pump assembly harvests its operational energy from the random dynamic motion of the surrounding organs and tissues and therefore does not require an internal or external power source.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A pump assembly comprising:
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a main body having an anterior end, a posterior end, and an interior chamber;
an intake conduit having an open end, and an opposing end of said intake conduit fluidly coupled to said anterior end;
an outlet conduit having an open end, and an opposing end fluidly coupled to said interior chamber at one end;
a first valve means for selectively allowing fluid flow from said intake conduit to said interior chamber, a second valve means for selectively allowing fluid flow from said interior chamber into and through said drainage conduit;
fluid displacement means for causing fluid flow through said main body, said fluid displacement means including an elastic bladder with elasticated sidewalls biased in an expanded state;
whereby external pressure fluctuations cause deflection and/or expansion of said elasticated sidewalls harvesting energy from the environment and using that energy to continuously pumping fluid out of the anterior chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification