Artificial heart with synchronous rectification

• US 6,478,820 B1
• Filed: 04/25/2000
• Issued: 11/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Penn State Research Foundation
• Original Assignee: Penn State Research Foundation
• Inventors: Weiss, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Willse, David H.
• Application Number:
  US09/557,814
• Time in Patent Office: 931 Days
• Field of Search: 623/3.27, 623/3.28, 623/3.1, 623/24, 600/17, 607/33, 607/34, 607/61, 607/65
• US Class Current: 623/3.27
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8243 by induction
• 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 60/178 drawing blood from a ventricle and returning the blood to the arterial system via a cannula external to the ventricle, e.g. left or right ventricular assist devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/196 replacing the entire heart, e.g. total artificial hearts [TAH]
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/441 generated by an electromotor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/508 Electronic control means, e.g. for feedback regulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 60/873 specially adapted for wireless or transcutaneous energy transfer [TET], e.g. inductive charging

Abstract

An apparatus adapted to be used in connection with an artificial heart assembly having a blood inlet conduit, a blood outlet conduit, and a pump that is adapted to pump blood from the blood inlet conduit to the blood outlet conduit. The apparatus includes an internal coupler adapted to be implanted beneath the skin of a subject and an external coupler operatively coupled to the internal coupler so that the external coupler induces an alternating electric current in the internal coupler. A rectification circuit is coupled to receive the alternating electric current induced in the internal coupler and generates DC electric power for the motor. The rectification circuit operates synchronously with, or at the same frequency as, the alternating current induced in the internal coupler and produces DC electric power from the alternating electric current. A drive circuit is operatively coupled to the rectification circuit and causes the rectification circuit to operate synchronously with, or at the same frequency as, the electric current induced in the internal coupler.

Claims

1. An artificial heart assembly, comprising:

a blood inlet conduit;

a blood outlet conduit;

a pump that pumps blood from said blood inlet conduit to said blood outlet conduit, said pump including a motor;

an internal coil adapted to be implanted beneath the skin of a subject;

an external coil operatively coupled to said internal coil so that said external coil induces an alternating electric current in said internal coil, said alternating electric current having a frequency;

a rectification circuit coupled to receive said alternating electric current induced in said internal coil that generates DC electric power for said motor, said rectification circuit including a first rectification component, a second rectification component, a third rectification component, and a fourth rectification component, one of said rectification components comprising a first switching component and another of said rectification components comprising a second switching component, said rectification components causing said DC electric power to be produced from said alternating electric current; and

a drive circuit operatively coupled to said first and second switching components, said drive circuit causing each of said first and second switching components to be switched on and off at a switching frequency that is the same as said frequency of said electric current induced in said internal coil.

2. An artificial heart assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said first rectification component comprises a diode and wherein said second rectification component comprises a diode.

3. An artificial heart assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said first rectification component comprises a diode, wherein said second rectification component comprises a diode, wherein said first switching component comprises a transistor, and wherein said second switching component comprises a transistor.

4. An artificial heart assembly as defined in claim 1,

wherein said first rectification component comprises a first diode,

wherein said second rectification component comprises a second diode,

wherein said first switching component comprises a first transistor,

wherein said second switching component comprises a second transistor,

wherein said first diode is connected to said first transistor at a first junction,

wherein said second diode is connected to said second transistor at a second junction,

wherein said first and second diodes are connected at a third junction, and

wherein said first and second transistors are connected at a fourth junction.

5. An artificial heart assembly as defined in claim 1,

wherein said first switching component comprises a first transistor,

wherein said second switching component comprises a second transistor,

wherein said first rectification component is connected to said first transistor at a first junction,

wherein said second rectification component is connected to said second transistor at a second junction,

wherein said first and second rectification components are connected at a third junction,

wherein said first and second transistors are connected at a fourth junction,

wherein said drive circuit comprises a first driver circuit that drives said first transistor based on an electric signal present at said second junction, and

wherein said drive circuit comprises a second driver circuit that drives said second transistor based on an electric signal present at said first junction.

6. An artificial heart assembly as defined in claim 1,

wherein said first rectification component comprises a first diode,

wherein said second rectification component comprises a second diode,

wherein said first switching component comprises a first transistor,

wherein said second switching component comprises a second transistor,

wherein said first diode is connected to said first transistor at a first junction,

wherein said second diode is connected to said second transistor at a second junction,

wherein said first and second rectification diodes are connected at a third junction,

wherein said first and second transistors are connected at a fourth junction,

wherein said drive circuit comprises a first driver circuit that drives said first transistor based on an electric signal present at said second junction, and

wherein said drive circuit comprises a second driver circuit that drives said second transistor based on an electric signal present at said first junction.

7. An artificial heart assembly as defined in claim 1 additionally comprising a DC-to-AC converter coupled to said external coil, said DC-to-AC converter generating an AC electric current from a DC voltage, said AC electric current being provided through said external coil.

8. An artificial heart assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said external coil is adapted to be disposed adjacent said internal coil and separated from said internal coil by the skin of the subject.

9. An artificial heart assembly as defined in claim 1 additionally comprising a membrane defining a blood chamber fluidly coupled to said blood inlet conduit and said blood outlet conduit, wherein said pump comprises a pusher member which makes contact with said membrane to force blood from said blood inlet conduit to said blood outlet conduit.

10. An artificial heart assembly as defined in claim 1 additionally comprising:

a first membrane defining a blood chamber fluidly coupled to said blood inlet conduit and said blood outlet conduit, wherein said pump comprises a pusher member which makes contact with said first membrane to force blood from said blood inlet conduit to said blood outlet conduit;

a second membrane defining a second blood chamber fluidly coupled to a second blood inlet conduit and a second blood outlet conduit; and

a second pusher member which makes con tact with said second membrane to force blood from said second blood inlet conduit to said second blood outlet conduit.

11. An artificial heart assembly, comprising:

a blood inlet conduit;

a blood outlet conduit;

a pump that pumps blood from said blood inlet conduit to said blood outlet conduit, said pump including a motor;

an internal coupler adapted to be implanted beneath the skin of a subject;

an external coupler operatively coupled to said internal coupler so that said external coupler induces an alternating electric current in said internal coupler, said alternating electric current having a frequency;

a rectification circuit coupled to receive said alternating electric current induced in said internal coupler that generates DC electric power for said motor, said rectification circuit operating synchronously with said alternating current induced in said internal coupler and producing DC electric power from said alternating electric current; and

a drive circuit operatively coupled to said rectification circuit, said drive circuit causing said rectification circuit to operate synchronously with said electric current induced in said internal coupler.

12. An artificial heart assembly as defined in claim 11, wherein said rectification circuit comprises a first rectification component, a second rectification component, a first transistor, and a second transistor,

wherein said first rectification component is connected to said first transistor at a first junction,

wherein said second rectification component is connected to said second transistor at a second junction,

wherein said first and second rectification components are connected at a third junction,

wherein said first and second transistors are connected at a fourth junction,

wherein said drive circuit comprises a first driver circuit that drives said first transistor based on an electric signal present at said second junction, and

wherein said drive circuit comprises a second driver circuit that drives said second transistor based on an electric signal present at said first junction.

13. An artificial heart assembly as defined in claim 11 additionally comprising a DC-to-AC converter coupled to said external coupler, said DC-to-AC converter generating an AC electric current from a DC voltage, said AC electric current being provided through said external coupler.

14. An artificial heart assembly as defined in claim 11 additionally comprising a membrane defining a blood chamber fluidly coupled to said blood inlet conduit and said blood outlet conduit, wherein said pump comprises a pusher member which makes contact with said membrane to force blood from said blood inlet conduit to said blood outlet conduit.

15. An artificial heart assembly as defined in claim 11 additionally comprising:

a first membrane defining a blood chamber fluidly coupled to said blood inlet conduit and said blood outlet conduit, wherein said pump comprises a pusher member which makes contact with said first membrane to force blood from said blood inlet conduit to said blood outlet conduit;

a second membrane defining a second blood chamber fluidly coupled to a second blood inlet conduit and a second blood outlet conduit; and

a second pusher member which makes contact with said second membrane to force blood from said second blood inlet conduit to said second blood outlet conduit.

16. An apparatus adapted to be used in connection with an artificial heart assembly having a blood inlet conduit, a blood outlet conduit, and a pump that is adapted to pump blood from said blood inlet conduit to said blood outlet conduit, said apparatus comprising:

an internal coupler adapted to be implanted beneath the skin of a subject;

an external coupler operatively coupled to said internal coupler so that said external coupler induces an alternating electric current in said internal coupler, said alternating electric current having a frequency;

a rectification circuit coupled to receive said alternating electric current induced in said internal coupler that generates DC electric power for said pump, said rectification circuit operating synchronously with said alternating current induced in said internal coupler and producing DC electric power from said alternating electric current; and

a drive circuit operatively coupled to said rectification circuit, said drive circuit causing said rectification circuit to operate synchronously with said electric current induced in said internal coupler.

17. An apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said rectification circuit comprises a first rectification component, a second rectification component, a first transistor, and a second transistor,

wherein said first rectification component is connected to said first transistor at a first junction,

wherein said second rectification component is connected to said second transistor at a second junction,

wherein said first and second rectification components are connected at a third junction,

wherein said first and second transistors are connected at a fourth junction,

wherein said drive circuit comprises a first driver circuit that drives said first transistor based on an electric signal present at said second junction, and

wherein said drive circuit comprises a second driver circuit that drives said second transistor based on an electric signal present at said first junction.

18. An apparatus assembly as defined in claim 16 additionally comprising a DC-to-AC converter coupled to said external coupler, said DC-to-AC converter generating an AC electric current from a DC voltage, said AC electric current being provided through said external coupler.

19. An apparatus, comprising:

an internal coil adapted to be implanted beneath the skin of a subject;

an external coil operatively coupled to said internal coil so that said external coil induces an alternating electric current in said internal coil, said alternating electric current having a frequency;

a rectification circuit coupled to receive said alternating electric current induced in said internal coil that generates DC electric power for said motor, a rectification circuit including a first rectification component, a second rectification component, a third rectification component, and a fourth rectification component, one of said rectification components comprising a first switching component and another of said rectification components comprising a second switching component, said rectification components causing said DC electric power to be produced from said alternating electric current; and

a drive circuit operatively coupled to said first and second switching components, said drive circuit causing each of said first and second switching components to be switched on and off at a switching frequency that is the same as said frequency of said electric current induced in said internal coil.

20. An apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein said first rectification component comprises a diode and wherein said second rectification component comprises a diode.

21. An apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein said first rectification component comprises a diode, wherein said second rectification component comprises a diode, wherein said first switching component comprises a transistor, and wherein said second switching component comprises a transistor.

22. An apparatus as defined in claim 19,

wherein said first rectification component comprises a first diode,

wherein said second rectification component comprises a second diode,

wherein said first switching component comprises a first transistor,

wherein said second switching component comprises a second transistor,

wherein said first diode is connected to said first transistor at a first junction,

wherein said second diode is connected to said second transistor at a second junction,

wherein said first and second diodes are connected at a third junction, and

wherein said first and second transistors are connected at a fourth junction.

23. An apparatus as defined in claim 19,

wherein said first switching component comprises a first transistor,

wherein said second switching component comprises a second transistor,

wherein said first rectification component is connected to said first transistor at a first junction,

wherein said second rectification component is connected to said second transistor at a second junction,

wherein said first and second rectification components are connected at a third junction,

wherein said first and second transistors are connected at a fourth junction,

wherein said drive circuit comprises a first driver circuit that drives said first transistor based on an electric signal present at said second junction, and

wherein said drive circuit comprises a second driver circuit that drives said second transistor based on an electric signal present at said first junction.

24. An apparatus as defined in claim 19,

wherein said first rectification component comprises a first diode,

wherein said second rectification component comprises a second diode,

wherein said first switching component comprises a first transistor,

wherein said second switching component comprises a second transistor,

wherein said first diode is connected to said first transistor at a first junction,

wherein said second diode is connected to said second transistor at a second junction,

wherein said first and second rectification diodes are connected at a third junction,

wherein said first and second transistors are connected at a fourth junction,

wherein said drive circuit comprises a first driver circuit that drives said first transistor based on an electric signal present at said second junction, and

wherein said drive circuit comprises a second driver circuit that drives said second transistor based on an electric signal present at said first junction.

25. An apparatus as defined in claim 19 additionally comprising a DC-to-AC converter coupled to said external coil, said DC-to-AC converter generating an AC electric current from a DC voltage, said AC electric current being provided through said external coil.

26. An apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein said internal coil is adapted to be implanted beneath the skin of a subject and wherein said external coil is adapted to be disposed adjacent said internal coil and separated from said internal coil by the skin of the subject.

27. An apparatus adapted to be used in connection with an artificial heart assembly having a blood inlet conduit, a blood outlet conduit, and a pump that is adapted to pump blood from said blood inlet conduit to said blood outlet conduit, said apparatus comprising:

an internal coupler adapted to be implanted beneath the skin of a subject;

an external coupler operatively coupled to said internal coupler so that said external coupler induces an alternating electric current in said internal coupler, said alternating electric current having a frequency;

a rectification circuit coupled to receive said alternating electric current induced in said internal coupler that generates DC electric power for said pump, said rectification circuit including a first rectification component, a second rectification component, a third rectification component, and a fourth rectification component, said first rectification component comprising a first switching component and said second rectification component comprising a second switching component, said rectification components causing said DC electric power to be produced from said alternating electric current; and

a drive circuit operatively coupled to said first and second switching components, said drive circuit causing each of said first and second switching components to be switched on and off at a switching frequency that is the same as said frequency of said electric current induced in said internal coupler, said drive circuit causing said first switching component to be switched based on a magnitude of a signal at a first junction at which said second switching component and said third rectification component are connected and said drive circuit causing said second switching component to be switched based on a magnitude of a signal at a second junction at which said first switching component and said fourth rectification component are connected.

28. An artificial heart assembly, comprising:

an apparatus as defined in claim 27;

a blood inlet conduit;

a blood outlet conduit; and

a pump that pumps blood from said blood inlet conduit to said blood outlet conduit.

29. An apparatus as defined in claim 27 additionally comprising a DC-to-AC converter coupled to said external coupler, said DC-to-AC converter generating an AC electric current from a DC voltage, said AC electric current being provided through said external coupler.

30. An artificial heart assembly, comprising:

a blood inlet conduit;

a blood outlet conduit;

a pump that pumps blood from said blood inlet conduit to said blood outlet conduit, said pump including a motor;

an internal coil adapted to be implanted beneath the skin of a subject;

an external coil operatively coupled to said internal coil so that said external coil induces an alternating electric current in said internal coil, said alternating electric current having a frequency;

a rectification circuit coupled to receive said alternating electric current induced in said internal coil that generates DC electric power for said motor, said rectification circuit including a first rectification component, a second rectification component, a third rectification component, and a fourth rectification component, one of said rectification components comprising a first switching component and another of said rectification components comprising a second switching component, said rectification components causing said DC electric power to be produced from said alternating electric current; and

a drive circuit operatively coupled to said first and second switching components, said drive circuit causing each of said first and second switching components to be switched on and off at a switching frequency that is the same as said frequency of said electric current induced in said internal coil, said drive circuit causing said first switching component to be switched based on a magnitude of a first voltage and said drive circuit causing said second switching component to be switched based on a magnitude of a second voltage.

31. An artificial heart assembly as defined in claim 30 wherein said first rectification component comprises a diode, wherein said second rectification component comprises a diode, wherein said first switching component comprises a transistor, and wherein said second switching component comprises a transistor.

32. An artificial heart assembly as defined in claim 30 additionally comprising a DC-to-AC converter coupled to said external coil, said DC-to-AC converter generating an AC electric current from a DC voltage, said AC electric current being provided through said external coil.

33. An apparatus adapted to be used in connection with an artificial heart assembly having a blood inlet conduit, a blood outlet conduit, and a pump that is adapted to pump blood from said blood inlet conduit to said blood outlet conduit, said apparatus comprising:

an internal coupler adapted to be implanted beneath the skin of a subject;

an external coupler operatively coupled to said internal coupler so that said external coupler induces an alternating electric current in said internal coupler, said alternating electric current having a frequency;

a rectification circuit coupled to receive said alternating electric current induced in said internal coupler that generates DC electric power for said pump, said rectification circuit operating synchronously with said alternating current induced in said internal coupler and producing DC electric power from said alternating electric current; and

a drive circuit operatively coupled to said rectification circuit, said drive circuit causing said rectification circuit to operate synchronously with said electric current induced in said internal coupler, said drive circuit causing said rectification circuit to be operated based on a magnitude of at least one voltage.

34. An apparatus as defined in claim 33, wherein said rectification circuit comprises a first rectification component, a second rectification component, a first transistor, and a second transistor, wherein said drive circuit causes said first transistor to be switched based on a magnitude of a first voltage, and wherein said drive circuit causes said second transistor to be switched based on a magnitude of a second voltage.

35. An apparatus assembly as defined in claim 33 additionally comprising a DC-to-AC converter coupled to said external coupler, said DC-to-AC converter generating an AC electric current from a DC voltage, said AC electric current being provided through said external coupler.