Surgically implantable pump arrangement and method for pumping body fluids
First Claim
1. A surgically implantable reciprocating pump comprising a hollow cylinder, an array of axially spaced coil windings supported by the cylinder, a piston-valve assembly positioned within the cylinder for reciprocal longitudinal movement therein, the piston-valve assembly comprising a diametral supporting ring and at least two valve leaflets supported for pivotal motion on spaced axes within the diametral support ring, permanent magnet means having axially spaced magnetic poles producing radially directed magnetic flux which cooperates with the axially spaced coil windings, the permanent magnet means fixedly attached to the piston-valve assembly for movement therewith in response to sequential energization of the coil windings in the array and means for sequentially energizing the coil windings to cause the piston-valve assembly to be drawn to the next sequentially-energized coil winding.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment described in the specification, a surgically implantable reciprocating pump employs a check valve as the piston, which is driven by a permanent magnet linear electric motor to assist either side of the natural heart. The pump is implanted in the aorta or pulmonary artery using vascular attachment cuffs such as flexible cuffs for suturing at each end with the pump output directly in line with the artery. The pump is powered by surgically implanted rechargeable batteries. In another embodiment, pairs of pumps are provided to replace or assist the natural heart or to provide temporary blood flow throughout the body, for example, during operations to correct problems with the natural heart.
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Citations
45 Claims
- 1. A surgically implantable reciprocating pump comprising a hollow cylinder, an array of axially spaced coil windings supported by the cylinder, a piston-valve assembly positioned within the cylinder for reciprocal longitudinal movement therein, the piston-valve assembly comprising a diametral supporting ring and at least two valve leaflets supported for pivotal motion on spaced axes within the diametral support ring, permanent magnet means having axially spaced magnetic poles producing radially directed magnetic flux which cooperates with the axially spaced coil windings, the permanent magnet means fixedly attached to the piston-valve assembly for movement therewith in response to sequential energization of the coil windings in the array and means for sequentially energizing the coil windings to cause the piston-valve assembly to be drawn to the next sequentially-energized coil winding.
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21. A method for pumping fluids in a human body comprising the steps of:
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providing a surgically implantable reciprocating pump comprising a hollow cylinder with an inlet end and an outlet end, an array of coil windings supported in axially spaced relation by the hollow cylinder, means for sequentially energizing the coil windings, a piston-valve assembly slidably positioned within the hollow cylinder for longitudinal movement in response to sequential energization of the coil windings, the piston-valve assembly comprising a diametral support ring and at least two valve leaflets supported for pivotal motion inside the diametral support ring to cycle open and close in response to relative motion with respect to a fluid, and a permanent magnet arrangement having axially spaced magnet poles producing radially directed magnetic flux which cooperates with the sequentially energized coil windings and fixedly attached to the piston-valve for movement therewith; placing the piston-valve assembly at a first end of the hollow cylinder; introducing fluid into the hollow cylinder; sequentially energizing the coil windings to drive the piston-valve assembly to a second end of the hollow cylinder whereby a force created by movement of the piston-valve through the fluid causes the valve leaflets to close, preventing fluid flow through the piston-valve and causing fluid to be ejected from the second end of the hollow cylinder; and sequentially energizing the coil windings in the opposite direction to drive the piston-valve to the first end of the hollow cylinder whereby a force created by movement of the piston-valve through the fluid causes the valve leaflets to open, the sequential energization of the coil windings causing the piston to be drawn toward the energized windings when the piston is approached by the pattern of sequentially energized windings from either direction. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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- 23. A surgically implantable reciprocating pump comprising a hollow cylinder, an array of axially spaced coil windings supported by the cylinder having a single valve, a piston-valve assembly including the single valve and slidably positioned within the cylinder for reciprocal longitudinal movement therein, permanent magnet means including axially spaced magnetic poles producing radially directed magnetic flux which cooperates with the array of axially spaced coil windings, the permanent magnet means fixedly attached to the piston-valve assembly for movement therewith in response to sequential energization of the coil windings in the array and means for sequentially energizing the coil windings to cause the piston-valve assembly to be drawn to the next sequentially-energized coil winding.
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43. A method for pumping fluids in a human body comprising the steps of:
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providing a surgically implantable reciprocating pump comprising a hollow cylinder with an inlet end and an outlet end, an array of coil windings supported in axially spaced relation by the hollow cylinder having a single valve, a piston-valve assembly including the single valve and slidably positioned within the cylinder for longitudinal movement in response to sequential energization of the coil windings, and a permanent magnet arrangement having axially spaced magnet poles fixedly attached to the piston-valve assembly for movement therewith; placing the piston-valve assembly at a first end of the hollow cylinder; introducing fluid into the hollow cylinder; sequentially energizing the coil windings to drive the piston-valve assembly to a second end of the hollow cylinder whereby a force created by movement of the piston-valve assembly through the fluid causes the valve to close, preventing fluid flow through the valve and causing fluid to be ejected from the second end of the hollow cylinder; and sequentially energizing the coil windings in the opposite direction to drive the piston-valve assembly to the first end of the hollow cylinder whereby a force created by movement of the piston-valve assembly through the fluid causes the valve to open, the sequential energization of the coil windings being arranged to cause the piston-valve assembly to be drawn toward the energized windings when the piston-valve assembly is approached by the pattern of sequentially energized windings from either direction. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45)
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Specification