Actuator for a heart assist device
First Claim
1. An actuator for a heart assist device, the actuator comprising:
- (a) a restraint component comprising a hole; and
(b) a flexible balloon comprising;
(i) a tubular neck portion disposed through the hole in the restraint component;
(ii) a first body portion coupled to the neck portion, wherein the first body portion is unattachedly disposed adjacent to the restraint component;
(iii) a second body portion; and
(iv) a flexure portion coupled to the first body portion and the second body portion,wherein the flexible balloon comprises an inflated configuration in which a length of the first body portion is in contact with the restraint component and an deflated configuration in which at least a portion of the length of the first body portion is displaced inwardly away from the restraint component.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An actuator (10) for a heart assist device. The actuator (10) includes an inflatable balloon (12) and a shroud or wrap (14). The inflatable balloon (12) has a first body portion (22), a second body portion (26) and a flexure region joining (24) the first (22) and second (26) body portions. The shroud or wrap (14) is positioned adjacent the first body portion (24) and has a peripheral extent at least equal to the peripheral extent of the balloon flexure region (24). The balloon (12) and the shroud or wrap (14) are shaped such that the shroud or wrap (14) restrains a part of the balloon first body portion (22) at or near the flexure region (24) against displacement towards the shroud or wrap (outward displacement) past a predetermined limit but allows unrestrained displacement away from the shroud or wrap (inward displacement).
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An actuator for a heart assist device, the actuator comprising:
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(a) a restraint component comprising a hole; and (b) a flexible balloon comprising; (i) a tubular neck portion disposed through the hole in the restraint component; (ii) a first body portion coupled to the neck portion, wherein the first body portion is unattachedly disposed adjacent to the restraint component; (iii) a second body portion; and (iv) a flexure portion coupled to the first body portion and the second body portion, wherein the flexible balloon comprises an inflated configuration in which a length of the first body portion is in contact with the restraint component and an deflated configuration in which at least a portion of the length of the first body portion is displaced inwardly away from the restraint component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An actuator for a heart assist device, the actuator comprising:
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(a) a flexible balloon comprising; (i) a tubular neck portion; (ii) a first body portion coupled to the neck portion; (iii) a second body portion; and (iv) a flexure portion coupled to the first body portion and the second body portion, wherein the flexible balloon comprises an inflated configuration in which a length of the first body portion is in contact with the restraint component and an deflated configuration in which at least a portion of the length of the first body portion is displaced inwardly away from the restraint component; and (b) a bushing disposed within and extending from the tubular neck portion of the flexible balloon, the bushing comprising a bore, wherein the bushing is configured to be coupleable to an external fluid line. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification