Automated occlusion clamp for centrifugal blood pumps

• US 6,579,257 B1
• Filed: 09/21/1999
• Issued: 06/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Petersen, Michael P., Elgas, Roger J.
• Primary Examiner(s): MENDEZ, MANUEL A
• Application Number:
  US09/400,135
• Time in Patent Office: 1,365 Days
• Field of Search: 604/6.11, 604/6.15, 604/246, 604/247, 604/250
• US Class Current: 604/67
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3624 Level detectors; Level control
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3626 Gas bubble detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3663 Flow rate transducers; Flow integrators
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/3667 with assisted venous return
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/367 Circuit parts not covered by the preceding subgroups of group A61M1/3621
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3334 Measuring or controlling the flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/281 Automatic tube cut-off devices, e.g. squeezing tube on detection of air
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/113 in other functional devices, e.g. dialysers or heart-lung machines
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/232 Centrifugal pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/38 Blood oxygenation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/585 User interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/833 Occluders for preventing backflow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/853 the valve being formed by a flexible tube element which is clamped for restricting the flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/892 Active valves, i.e. actuated by an external force

Abstract

Retrograde flow in an extracorporeal blood circuit using a centrifugal blood pump is prevented by passing the blood line through a normally-closed powered occlusion clamp, and opening the clamp in response to powering of the pump or, preferably, in response to the sensing of forward blood flow in the extracorporeal circuit.

Claims

1. An extracorporeal blood circuit for heart-lung machines, comprising:

a) a centrifugal blood pump arranged to pump blood through said circuit;

b) a line of flexible tubing forming part of said circuit,

c) a power-actuatable clamping device disposed externally of said line, said device being arranged to normally clamp said line to occlude it, and to release said line for free blood flow therethrough when actuated; and

d) a flow sensor arranged to produce a signal indicative of blood flow through said line, said clamping device being actuated only as long as said signal indicates forward blood flow through said line.

2. The combination of claim 1, in which said clamping device is spring-biased into line-occluding position, and is power-movable into a line releasing position in response to said signal indicating positive blood flow through said line.

3. The combination of claim 2, in which said clamping device is electrically operated.

5. The extracorporeal blood circuit as recited in claim 1, and further comprising a control console for actuating said clamping device responsive to said signal from said flow sensor.

6. The extracorporeal blood circuit as recited in claim 1, wherein said power-actuatable clamping device comprises a mechanical clamp.

7. The extracorporeal blood circuit as recited in claim 6, wherein said mechanical clamp is solenoid-driven.

4. An extracorporeal blood circuit for heart-lung machines, comprising:

a) a centrifugal blood pump arranged to pump blood through said circuit;

b) a line of flexible tubing forming part of said circuit;

c) a power-actuatable clamping device disposed externally of said line, said device being arranged to normally clamp said line to occlude it, and to release said line for free blood flow therethrough when actuated; and

d) means for actuating said clamping device when said pump is energized.

8. An extracorporeal blood circuit for heart-lung machines, comprising:

a) a centrifugal blood pump arranged to pump blood through said circuit,

b) a line of flexible tubing forming part of said circuit;

c) a power-actuatable clamping device disposed externally of said line, said device being arranged to normally clamp said line to occlude it, and to release said line for free blood flow therethrough when actuated; and

d) a control console for actuating said clamping device when said pump is energized.