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US 11,920,597 B2Granted
Boundary layer powered circulatory assist device
AssigneeIndiana University Research and Technology Corporation
InventorMark D. Rodefeld
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for driving a circulatory assist device with motive power from a fluid motor. In one example a parallel plate Tesla-type of motor extracts power from the circulatory system of a biological unit to drive a non-positive displacement pump and increase blood pressure in the biological unit.
Claims18
A method for pumping fluid within a human, comprising:
- operating a pumping assembly comprising a fluid motor and a fluid pump, the fluid motor including a first member being rotatable about an axis and having a first surface perpendicular to the axis, a second member being rotatable about the axis and having a second surface perpendicular to the axis, the second surface facing the first surface and being spaced apart from the first surface by a gap, the fluid pump including a first rotatable pumping element and a second rotatable pumping element, the first member and the second member being located between the first pumping element and the second pumping element, the fluid motor and the fluid pump being interconnected to rotate in unison about the axis;
- providing fluid at a first pressure to the periphery of the fluid motor;
- flowing the fluid from the periphery of the fluid motor toward the axis;
- draining the fluid at a second pressure lower than the first pressure from a central region of the fluid motor located radially inward of the periphery;
- and
- inducing rotation of the pumping assembly during said flowing by fluid drag on the first surface and the second surface.
3 more elements
An implantable apparatus for pumping fluid in a human, comprising:
- a fluid motor adapted and configured for converting a pressure differential of a flowing fluid into rotational energy, said fluid motor including a plurality of plates in parallel alignment in a stack rotatable about an axis, said fluid motor having two opposing sides, said fluid motor having a motor fluid inlet located along the periphery of the stack and a fluid motor outlet located centrally within the stack;
- a first pumping element located on one side of said fluid motor and being driven to rotate by said fluid motor;
- and
- a second pumping element located on the other side of said fluid motor and being driven to rotate by said fluid motor;
- wherein fluid at a higher pressure is provided to the fluid motor inlet, flows within the stack, and is drained from the fluid motor outlet to the fluid at a lower pressure.
2 more elements
An implantable apparatus for pumping fluid in a human, comprising:
- a housing comprising a biocompatible material and adapted and configured for implantation in a human;
- a fluid motor located in said housing and adapted and configured for converting a pressure differential of a flowing fluid into rotational energy, said fluid motor including a plurality of plates in parallel alignment and rotatable about an axis, said plurality of plates having a centrally located fluid outlet;
- a manifold statically supported by said housing and surrounding the periphery of said plurality of plates, said manifold having an inlet and providing fluid from the manifold inlet to the plurality of plates;
- a pump located in said housing and including a first centrifugal pumping element and a second centrifugal pumping element, said pump having a plane of symmetry with said first pumping element and said second pumping element being located on opposite sides of the plane of symmetry, said pump being driven to rotate by said fluid motor;
- wherein fluid at a higher pressure is provided to the manifold inlet, flows between said plurality of plates, and is drained from the centrally located fluid outlet.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.