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.
Claims11
A method, comprising:
- providing a fluid powered heart pump that defines a receptacle area having at least one inflatable membrane that selectively expands into said receptacle area when inflated with a fluid,
- providing a first tube for passing the fluid into and out of said at least one inflatable membrane;
- providing a second tube for passing said fluid into and out of said receptacle area;
- providing a single pressure tube for supplying said fluid to said first tube and said second tube;
- providing a valve assembly affixed to said heart pump, wherein said valve assembly is disposed between said single pressure tube and both said first tube and said second tube;
- placing said heart pump and said valve assembly in vivo wherein said receptacle area receives at least a portion of a heart therein;
- creating fluid flow with a controlled pressure profile with a fluid pump;
- directing said fluid flow to said valve assembly through said single pressure 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.