PORTABLE CONTROLLER AND POWER SOURCE FOR MECHANICAL CIRCULATION SUPPORT SYSTEMS

• US 20110218383A1
• Filed: 03/04/2011
• Published: 09/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Minnetronix, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Minnetronix, Inc.
• Inventors: Broen, Kenneth E., Hansen, David J., Mickelson, Anne F., Nazarian, Richard A., Brown, Corey D., Evans, Don W. E.
• Granted Patent: US 9,907,892 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/17 with redundant control systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3523 using telemetric means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8212 with means or measures taken for minimising energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8243 by induction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/178 drawing blood from a ventricle and returning the blood to the arterial system via a cannula external to the ventricle, e.g. left or right ventricular assist devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/232 Centrifugal pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/268 the displacement member being flexible, e.g. membranes, diaphragms or bladders
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/411 generated by an electromotor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/441 generated by an electromotor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/508 Electronic control means, e.g. for feedback regulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/857 Implantable blood tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/871 Energy supply devices; Converters therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A portable external device for a mechanical circulation support system includes first and second power sources, e.g. batteries and control electronics for redundant uninterrupted operation of an implantable blood pump. The control and power source module may be configured for variable form factors to accommodate a variety of wearable configurations for patient convenience and comfort.

Claims

1. A portable external device for a mechanical circulation support system comprising:

a first power source;

a second power source;

a hinged housing interposed between and configured to receive the first and second power sources; and

control electronics arranged within the hinged housing.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a connector electrically connected to the control electronics and coupled to the hinged housing.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the connector is configured to receive at least one elongated electrical cable such that the cable extends from the connector at the hinged housing along a path that is substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the hinged housing.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the connector is rotatably coupled to the hinged housing such that the connector is capable of rotating with respect to the hinged housing.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the connector is capable of rotating in two-dimensions about an axis of rotation of the hinged housing.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the connector is capable of rotating in three-dimensions with respect to the hinged housing.

7. The device of claim 2, wherein the connector is coupled to the hinged housing such that the connector rotates with one of the first power source or the second power source.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the control electronics are arranged within the hinged housing proximate to one of the first power source or the second power source.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the control electronics are arranged within a hinge of the hinged housing approximately equidistant from the first and second power sources.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the hinged housing comprises:

a first half configured to receive one of the first power source or the second power source;

a second half configured to receive the other of the first power source or the second power source; and

a hinge pin received by the first half and the second half.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the hinge pin comprises an elongated annular pin within which at least one of at least a portion of the control electronics or at least one electrical conduit connected to at least one of the control electronics, the first power source, or the second power source is received.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the hinge pin is configured to rotate with respect to at least one of the first half or the second half.

13. The device of claim 1 further comprising a telemetry module configured to wirelessly communicate with a display device arranged distal to the portable external device.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the telemetry module is configured for radio frequency communications with a display device.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the telemetry module is configured to wirelessly communicate with a display device via RF according to at least one of an 802.11, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, MICS, or IRDA specification set.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the hinged housing comprises at least one hinge seal configured to permit relative rotation of the first and second power sources and substantially inhibit ingress of material into the hinged housing.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the hinge seal comprises a garter spring seal.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the garter spring seal comprises a canted coil spring.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the hinged housing comprises:

a first half configured to receive one of the first power source or the second power source;

a second half configured to receive the other of the first power source or the second power source; and

a hinge pin received by the first half and the second half,

wherein the garter spring seal surrounds an outer surface of the hinge pin at an interface between the hinge pin and the first and second halves.

20. The device of claim 1, wherein the hinged housing comprises a locking mechanism configured to independently lock each of the first and the second power sources to the hinged housing.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the locking mechanism prevents both the first and the second power sources from being disconnected from the hinged housing simultaneously.

22. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second power sources comprises a battery.

23. The device of claim 1, wherein the first power source comprises a first battery and the second power source comprises a second battery.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the first and second batteries are connected to the hinged housing to form a clam shell assembly configured to fold the first and second batteries in a generally parallel stacked relationship with one another and rotate the first and second batteries from the stacked relationship into generally co-planar relationship with one another with each of the first and second batteries extending in opposing directions from the hinged housing.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein at least one of the first or the second battery comprises a lithium-ion (Li-ion), lithium polymer (Lipoly), nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), or nickel-cadmium (NiCd) battery.

26. The device of claim 24, wherein the first and second batteries are arranged in the generally parallel stacked relationship such that the portable external device comprises a width in a range from approximately 50 millimeters to approximately 90 millimeters, a length in a range from approximately 80 millimeters to approximately 180 millimeters, and a depth in a range from approximately 12 millimeters to approximately 25 millimeters.

27. A mechanical circulation support system comprising:

an implantable pump; and

a portable external device comprising;

a first power source;

a second power source;

a hinged housing interposed between and configured to receive the first and second power sources; and

control electronics arranged within the hinged housing,

wherein at least one of the first power source and the second power source is configured to power the implantable pump.

28. The system of claim 27 further comprising a connector electrically connected to the control electronics and coupled to the hinged housing.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the connector is configured to receive at least one elongated electrical cable such that the cable extends from the connector at the hinged housing along a path that is substantially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the hinged housing.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein the connector is rotatably coupled to the hinged housing such that the connector is capable of rotating with respect to the hinged housing.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the connector is capable of rotating in two-dimensions about an axis of rotation of the hinged housing.

32. The system of claim 30, wherein the connector is capable of rotating in three-dimensions with respect to the hinged housing.

33. The system of claim 28, wherein the connector is coupled to the hinged housing such that the connector rotates with one of the first power source or the second power source.

34. The system of claim 27, wherein the control electronics are arranged within the hinged housing proximate to one of the first power source or the second power source.

35. The system of claim 27, wherein the control electronics are arranged within a hinge of the hinged housing approximately equidistant from the first and second power sources.

36. The system of claim 27, wherein the hinged housing comprises:

a first half configured to receive one of the first power source or the second power source;

a second half configured to receive the other of the first power source or the second power source; and

a hinge pin received by the first half and the second half.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the hinge pin comprises an elongated annular pin within which at least one of at least a portion of the control electronics or at least one electrical conduit connected to at least one of the control electronics, the first power source, or the second power source is received.

38. The system of claim 36, wherein the hinge pin is configured to rotate with respect to at least one of the first half or the second half.

39. The system of claim 36 further comprising a telemetry module configured to wirelessly communicate with a display device arranged distal to the portable external device.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the telemetry module is configured for radio frequency communications with a display device.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the telemetry module is configured to wirelessly communicate with a display device via RF according to at least one of an 802.11, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, MICS, or IRDA specification set.

42. The system of claim 27, wherein the hinged housing comprises at least one hinge seal configured to permit relative rotation of the first and second power sources and substantially inhibit ingress of material into the hinged housing.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein the hinge seal comprises a garter spring seal.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein the garter spring seal comprises a canted coil spring.

45. The system of claim 43, wherein the hinged housing comprises:

a first half configured to receive one of the first power source or the second power source;

a second half configured to receive the other of the first power source or the second power source; and

a hinge pin received by the first half and the second half,

wherein the garter spring seal surrounds an outer surface of the hinge pin at an interface between the hinge pin and the first and second halves.

46. The system of claim 27, wherein the hinged housing comprises a locking mechanism configured to independently lock each of the first and the second power sources to the hinged housing.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the locking mechanism prevents both the first and the second power sources from being disconnected from the hinged housing simultaneously.

48. The system of claim 27, wherein at least one of the first and second power sources comprises a battery.

49. The system of claim 27, wherein the first power source comprises a first battery and the second power source comprises a second battery.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein the first and second batteries are connected to the hinged housing to form a clam shell assembly configured to fold the first and second batteries in a generally parallel stacked relationship with one another and rotate the first and second batteries from the stacked relationship into generally co-planar relationship with one another with each of the first and second batteries extending in opposing directions from the hinged housing.

51. The system of claim 50, wherein at least one of the first or the second battery comprises a lithium-ion (Li-ion), lithium polymer (Lipoly), nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), or nickel-cadmium (NiCd) battery.

52. The system of claim 50, wherein the first and second batteries are arranged in the generally parallel stacked relationship such that the portable external device comprises a width in a range from approximately 50 millimeters to approximately 90 millimeters, a length in a range from approximately 80 millimeters to approximately 180 millimeters, and a depth in a range from approximately 12 millimeters to approximately 25 millimeters.