BLOOD FLOW ASSIST DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20130041203A1
• Filed: 02/09/2012
• Published: 02/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Vascor, Inc.
• Original Assignee: David M. Reilly, Douglas J. Koebler, Marlin Stephen Heilman
• Inventors: HEILMAN, MARLIN STEPHEN, KOEBLER, DOUGLAS J., KOHLER, CHARLES ROBERT, WAGNER, JON DAVID, REILLY, DAVID M.
• Application Number:
  US13/370,113
• Publication Number:
  US 20130041203A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/126 implantable via, into, inside, in line, branching on, or around a blood vessel
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/148 in line with a blood vessel using resection or like techniques, e.g. permanent endovascular heart assist devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/226 the blood flow through the rotating member having mainly radial components
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/258 Piston pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/827 Sealings between moving parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/831 using filtered blood as purge fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/892 Active valves, i.e. actuated by an external force

Abstract

An implantable pump system for assisting blood flow includes a flexible conduit, at least one movable valve in fluid connection with the flexible conduit, a drive system comprising a rotary motor and a speed reducer operatively connected to the rotary motor; and a converter operatively connected to the drive system and operatively connected to the valve to drive the valve in a reciprocating linear manner. In a number of embodiments, the speed reducer includes a spur gear driving a ring gear, wherein the converter is operatively connected to the speed reducer.

Claims

1. An implantable pump system for assisting blood flow, comprising:

a flexible conduit;

at least one movable valve in fluid connection with the flexible conduit;

a drive system comprising a rotary motor and a speed reducer operatively connected to the rotary motor; and

a converter operatively connected to the drive system and operatively connected to the valve to drive the valve in a reciprocating and approximately linear manner.

2. The pump system of claim 1 wherein the speed reducer comprises a spur gear driving a ring gear, and wherein the converter is operatively connected to the speed reducer.

3. The pump system of claim 2 wherein the ring gear is in operative connection with the converter.

4. The pump system of claim 3 wherein the converter comprises an eccentric member extending from the ring gear.

5. The pump system of claim 4 wherein the converter further comprises a rotating element connected to the eccentric member that engages a cam member operatively connected to the valve to drive the valve in a reciprocating, linear manner.

6. The pump system of claim 1 wherein any moving mechanical linkage of the drive system and between the drive system and the valve comprises at least one rolling element bearing resistant to corrosion by a salt solution.

7. The pump system of claim 6 wherein the rolling element bearing is constructed from a ceramic material or from a nitrided hardened stainless steel material.

8. A pump system of claim 1 wherein the flexible conduit is positioned within a sealed housing, a volume between the flexible conduit and housing being filled with an aqueous fluid having dissolved solutes to provide an osmolarity approximately equal to the osmolarity of blood.

9. The pump system of claim 8 wherein the fluid is an aqueous salt solution.

10. The pump system of claim 9 wherein the drive system is in fluid connection with the volume and the fluid is present within the drive system.

11. The pump system of claim 10 wherein the fluid is adapted to dissipate heat from the drive system.

12. The pump system of claim 10 wherein the fluid comprises at least one hydrophilic lubricant.

13. A pump system of claim 1 wherein the flexible conduit is adapted to be placed in series with the aorta.

14. A pump system of claim 1 wherein the flexible conduit is adapted to be placed in line with the aorta.

15. A method of assisting blood flow, comprising:

implanting a pump system within a body, the pump system comprising a flexible conduit, at least one moveable valve in fluid connection with the flexible conduit, a drive system comprising a rotary motor and a speed reducer operatively connected to the rotary motor, and a converter operatively connected to the drive system and to the valve to drive the valve in a reciprocating linear manner.

16. A pump system for assisting blood flow, comprising:

a flexible conduit;

at least one movable valve in fluid connection with the flexible conduit; and

a sealed housing encompassing at least a portion of the flexible conduit, a volume between the housing and the flexible conduit comprising an aqueous fluid having an osmolarity approximately equal to the osmolarity of blood.

17. The pump system of claim 16 wherein the fluid is an aqueous salt solution.

18. The pump system of claim 17 wherein the drive system is in fluid connection with the volume and the fluid is present within the drive system.

19. The pump system of claim 18 wherein the fluid is adapted to dissipate heat from the drive system.

20. The pump system of claim 18 wherein the fluid comprises at least one hydrophilic lubricant.

21. The pump system of claim 16 further comprising a drive system comprising a rotary motor and a speed reducer operatively connected to the rotary motor;

and a converter operatively connected to the drive system and operatively connected to the valve to drive the valve in a reciprocating and approximately linear manner.