IMPLANTABLE POWER SYSTEM FOR AN ARTIFICIAL HEART

• US 3,774,243 A
• Filed: 10/20/1971
• Issued: 11/27/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Anthony J. Appleby, Daniel Y.C. Ng, Sidney K. Wolfson Jr
• Original Assignee: Anthony J. Appleby, Daniel Y.C. Ng, Sidney K. Wolfson Jr
• Inventors: Ng, Daniel Y. C., Wolfson, Sidney K. Jr., Appleby, Anthony J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaudet, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Frinks, Ronald L.
• Application Number:
  US05/191,058
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• Field of Search: 3/1,DIG.2 128/1R,214,DIG.3,419P 136/86R-86F
• US Class Current: 623/3.27
• 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 60/196 replacing the entire heart, e.g. total artificial hearts [TAH]
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/268 the displacement member being flexible, e.g. membranes, diaphragms or bladders
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/427 the force acting on the blood contacting member being hydraulic or pneumatic
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/871 Energy supply devices; Converters therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/876 Implantable batteries

Abstract

An implantable hybrid power system for artificial hearts or pacemakers, which includes a fuel cell assembly air-breathing cathode assembly, and method of operation of such system. In one system embodiment a storage battery is combined with a fuel cell for peak power requirements and for more nearly steady-state fuel cell operation. The fuel cell may have either an external anode fuel source, such as hydrogen or hydrazine, or utilize blood carbohydrates, such as glucose. Electrical output from the disclosed power system is used to power any desired type of artificial heart or pacemaker device.

Claims

2. A hybrid power source system as in claim 1 wherein:

said fuel cell has an air-breathing cathode assembly including a percutaneous airway employing an unhindered pore.

3. A hybrid power source system as in claim 1 wherein:

said implantable prosthesis is an implantable artificial heart pump system having a pump mechanism.

4. A hybrid power source system as in claim 2 wherein:

said hybrid system and said heart pump are integrated in a single unit.

5. A hybrid power source system as in claim 2 which includes:

a means for ventilating said cathode assembly by producing a flow of air through said pore and airway, and said hybrid system supplies electrical energy to power said ventilating means.

6. A hybrid power source system as in claim 1 wherein:

said fuel cell includes means for separating reactive organic compounds as anode fuel from the blood of said animal.

7. An implantable hybrid power source system as in claim 3 wherein:

a. said fuel cell has a cathode assembly and balloon means adapted for volumetric change to effect transfer of air from the exterior of the body in which said system is adapted to be implanted to said cathode assembly, and b. said balloon is disposed in association with the pumping mechanism of said implantable artificial heart pump mechanism so that actuation of said pump mechanism effects volumetric change in said balloon.

8. An implantable hybrid power source system as in claim 7 wherein said heart pump mechanism includes a sac-type heart, and said balloon forms at least a portion of said sac.

9. A hybrid power source system as in claim 1, which includes a physiologically acceptable housing enclosing said storage battery, fuel cell and prosthesis, the exterior surface of said housing including a material which does not cause hemolysis.

10. A hybrid power source system as in claim 1 wherein the fuel cell includes a cathode assembly having means adapted to utilize oxygen present in air supplied thereto.

11. An integrated power and heart pump system as in claim 4 wherein:

a. said heart pump includes an atria or blood collecting plenum, and b. the fuel cell includes an anolyte chamber disposed in connection with said plenum.

12. An integrated power source and heart pump system as in claim 4 wherein:

a. said heart pump includes a right ventricle chamber having an outflow passage, and b. the fuel cell includes an anolyte chamber disposed in connection with said outflow passage.

13. A method of powering a prosthetic device implanted in the body of an animal comprising:

a. connecting a hybrid power system in parallel electric circuit with said prosthetic device, said hybrid power system comprising a first electrical power source and an electrical storage battery connected in parallel electric circuit, b. supplying energy to said prosthetic device from said hybrid power system in response to the power load demand of said device, c. maintaining said energy supply from said first power source during average prosthesis pOwer load demand, d. increasing said energy supply to said prosthesis upon peak power load demand by current draw from said storage battery in addition to said first power source, and e. recharging said electrical storage battery by electrical power output from said first power source during periods of low prosthesis power load demand, whereby said prosthesis is operable over increased power load demand ranges, and is protected from stoppage by failure of one power source by the redundancy capability of said hybrid power system.

14. A method as in claim 13 wherein said first power source is a fuel cell.

15. A method as in claim 14 wherein said fuel cell is operated at substantially ambient temperature.

16. A method as in claim 15 wherein said hybrid power system is adapted for implantation into said animal body.

17. A method as in claim 16 wherein said hybrid power system and said prosthesis is integrated into a single unit.

18. A method as in claim 13 wherein said prosthetic device is a heart pump.

19. A method as in claim 16 wherein said prosthetic device is a heart pump.

20. A method of powering a prosthetic device implanted in the body of an animal as in claim 14, wherein said fuel cell has an anode and a cathode, and includes the steps of:

a. supplying fuel to the anode of said fuel cell, and b. ventilating the cathode of said fuel cell with external air to supply said cathode with oxygen.

21. A method as in claim 20 wherein said step of cathode ventilation includes the added steps of:

a. passing air through a percutaneous airway via an unhindered pore into contact with said cathode, b. exhausting said air at least periodically from said cathode.

22. A method as in claim 21 wherein said step of exhausting is continuous.

23. A method as in claim 21 wherein said step of exhausting includes passing said air through a second percutaneous airway and pore assembly in a one-way flow pattern.

24. A method as in claim 20 wherein said step of supplying fuel to said anode includes the added steps of:

a. separating reactive organic compounds from the blood stream of said animal, b. passing said organic compounds into contact with said anode whereby they react to provide a source of electrons for said fuel cell, c. removing reaction products from said anode and passing them into said blood stream.

25. A method as in claim 24 wherein said anode fuel reactive compound is glucose.