Back-flow limiting valve member
OwnerMarlin S. Heilman, Christopher D. Capone +5inventors
InventorsMarlin S. Heilman, Christopher D. Capone, Steve A. Kolenik, Daniel R. Moore, Carl M. Parisi, Edward K. Prem, Richard A. Sofranko
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Abstract
A back flow limiting valve member which substantially, but not entirely, blocks reverse blood flow through a blood pump, such as when the blood pump is not pumping blood or pumping below a predetermined rate. The valve member can operate passively or actively in order to provide a limited back-flow through the blood pump to prevent clot formation. The back flow check valve may also be employed to restrict reverse blood flow through a blood flow conduit or blood vessel rather than in a blood pump.
Claims70
A blood pump comprising an inlet, an outlet, a rotor cooperating with a stator for pumping blood through at least one blood flow path from said inlet to said outlet, and a backflow check valve substantially but not entirely restricting a reverse flow of blood from said outlet to said inlet such that a limited reverse flow is permitted responsive to a predetermined reduction in rotation speed of said rotor.
A back flow check valve comprising:
- a. a pair of flexible valve members centrally positioned in a blood flow conduit, said pair of flexible valve members having fixed ends and free ends, said fixed ends held in generally parallel spaced relationship to each other, said free ends movable between a first position and a second position, said free ends generally parallel to each other and generally aligned with said blood flow conduit in said first position such that there is minimal impedance to forward blood flow, said free ends biased away from each other in said second position and sized to at least substantially but not entirely blocks reverse blood flow through said blood flow conduit in said second position;
- and
- b. a pair of cross members, said pair of flexible valve members attached to said pair of cross members, each of said pair of cross members having a first end attached to said stator and a second end extending toward said free end of each of said pair of flexible valve members, said second end having a curved edge adjacent said free end, said curved end defining a maximum range of movement of said free end of each of said pair of flexible members at said second position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.