Power system for a heart actuation device

• US 7,753,837 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2005
• Issued: 07/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Cincinnati
• Original Assignee: University of Cincinnati
• Inventors: Melvin, David Boyd
• Primary Examiner(s): SCHAETZLE, KENNEDY
• Application Number:
  US11/298,423
• Publication Number:
  US 20060155159A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,678 Days
• Field of Search: 600/16, 623/3.1, 623/3.15
• US Class Current: 600/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/33 Controlling, regulating or measuring
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3303 Using a biosensor
• 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 60/187 mechanically acting upon the inside of the patient's native heart, e.g. contractile structures placed inside the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/191 mechanically acting upon the outside of the patient's native heart, e.g. compressive structures placed around the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/289 Devices for mechanical circulatory actuation assisting the residual heart function by means mechanically acting upon the patient's native heart or blood vessel structure, e.g. direct cardiac compression [DCC] devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/476 with means converting the rotation into a translational movement of the displacement member
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/481 generated by a solenoid
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/492 generated by permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/508 Electronic control means, e.g. for feedback regulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/515 Regulation using real-time patient data
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/523 using blood flow data, e.g. from blood flow transducers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/825 Contact bearings, e.g. ball-and-cup or pivot bearings
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/861 Connections or anchorings for connecting or anchoring pumps or pumping devices to parts of the patient's body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/873 specially adapted for wireless or transcutaneous energy transfer [TET], e.g. inductive charging
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/88 Percutaneous cables
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/882 Devices powered by the patient, e.g. skeletal muscle powered devices

Abstract

Actuator mechanisms on the heart are of several types. In preferred embodiments, they are generally simple, durable, mechanical assemblies and are driven by power delivered from a remote location, generally outside the chest, by a variety of mechanisms. The invention teaches physical mechanisms (1) for transfer of cyclic power from outside the chest to the region of the heart for that purpose, either as translational or rotary motion. Also taught are electromechanical converting mechanisms suitable for delivering power to those transfer devices. The embodiments described herein for either transmission of energy from a site of generation to a conduit (2, 10, 22), and of conduits that then deliver energy to heart actuators, have contours and interfaces designed to promote a favorable biologic response similar to the pseudosynovial capsules that surround artificial joints. Further, design features are chosen to avoid both non-vented gas-filled chambers and static collections of tissue fluid.

Claims

1. A power system for assisting in the operation of the natural heart, comprising:

an actuator mechanism for deforming the natural heart;

a power source for generating translational motion;

a conduit structure for delivering the motion of the power source to the actuator mechanism, the conduit structure including a conduit and a tether movable in the conduit, the conduit and tether operably coupled between the actuator mechanism and the power source so that translational movement of the conduit and tether with respect to each other actuates the actuator mechanism to effect a deformation of the heart;

the conduit having apertures formed therein to provide for the passage of tissue fluid into and out of the conduit.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the conduit is compressible.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the conduit is in the form of a coil that is compressible.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the conduit is rigid.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of bearings positioned between the conduit and the tether, the bearings reducing the friction in the movement of the tether in the conduit.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the bearings are cylindrical and are positioned end to end.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the cylindrical bearings include radial projections, which engage the conduit and generally prevent translational movement of the bearings in the conduit.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein adjacent bearings have corresponding projection and slots, the projection of one bearing engaging the slot of an adjacent bearing to prevent relative rotation of the adjacent bearings.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the conduit includes a plurality of beads stacked together to form the conduit, the tether moving in aligned openings in the beads.

10. The system of claim 9 further comprising a jacket surrounding the beads.

11. The system of claim 9 further comprising adhesive positioned between adjacent beads to hold the beads together to form the conduit.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein the beads are thicker on one side than on the other to affect the alignment of the plurality of beads in forming the conduit.

13. The system of claim 9 wherein the at least one of the beads is in the form of a ring.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the ring includes at least one of an interruption or groove therein.

15. The system of claim 9 wherein the beads are formed of a material from the group including a ceramic, a hard polymer or a hard composite.

16. The system of claim 9 further comprising a spring between at least two adjacent beads.

17. A power system for assisting in the operation of the natural heart, comprising:

an actuator mechanism for deforming the natural heart, the actuator mechanism including a plurality of blocks;

a power source for generating rotational motion;

a conduit structure for delivering the motion of the power source to the actuator mechanism, the conduit structure including a conduit that imparts a rotational motion at a driven end when the conduit is rotated at a driving end, the conduit operably coupled between the actuator mechanism and the power source and coupled to at least one of the blocks so that rotational movement of the conduit rotates the block and actuates the actuator mechanism to effect a deformation of the heart.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the conduit includes a flexible helix.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein the conduit includes multiple flexible helices.

20. The system of claim 17 wherein the conduit includes a plurality of links, the links being rotationally coupled together with adjacent links.

21. The system of claim 17 wherein the conduit is coupled to a solenoid equipped socket and the block is coupled to a magnetized hub, rotation of the socket causing rotation of the hub and block.

22. A power system for assisting in the operation of the natural heart, comprising:

an actuator mechanism for deforming the natural heart;

a power source for generating rotational motion, the power source including a solenoid and a permanent magnet, activation of the solenoid effecting rotational motion;

a conduit structure for delivering the motion of the power source to the actuator mechanism, the conduit structure including a conduit operably coupled between the actuator mechanism and the power source wherein one of the solenoid and permanent magnet is coupled to the conduit so that the conduit imparts rotational motion at a driven end when the conduit is rotated at a driving end and the rotational motion of the conduit actuates the actuator mechanism to effect a deformation of the heart.