Single tube pressurization system for a heart pump
AssigneeLifebridge Technologies LLC
InventorMark P. Anstadt
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fluid controlled system for a cardiac assist device and its method of operation. The cardiac assist device has a cup assembly with a receptacle area. The cup assembly has at least one inflatable membrane that expands into the receptacle area. A single pressure tube connects the cup assembly to a fluid pump. A valve assembly is incorporated into the cardiac assist device. The valve assembly includes at least one valve that controls fluid flow between the inflatable membranes and the pressure tube and/or fluid flow between the receptacle area and the pressure tube. The valve assembly controls fluid flow to advance the cup assembly onto the heart, to maintain the cup assembly in an operable position, to operate the cup assembly, and to remove the cup assembly.
Claims14
A cardiac assist system, comprising:
- a cup assembly that defines a receptacle area for receiving a portion of a heart therein, said cup assembly having at least one inflatable membrane that selectively expands into said receptacle area when inflated with a fluid;
- a first tube configured to pass said fluid into and out of said at least one inflatable membrane, wherein said first tube is directly connected to said at least one inflatable membrane;
- a second tube configured to pass said fluid into and out of said receptacle area, wherein said second tube is directly connected to said receptacle area;
- a single pressure tube configured to supply said fluid to said first tube and said second tube;
- a valve assembly disposed between said single pressure tube and both said first tube and said second tube, wherein said valve assembly selectively controls flow of said fluid between said single pressure tube and both said first tube and said second tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.