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AssigneeElectric Boat Corporation
InventorsCarl O. Larson, Jr., James S. Smith, John H. Chapman, Scot A. Slimon, John D. Trahan, Robert J. Brozek, Alberto Franco, John J. McGarvey, Marvin E. Rosen, Michael K. Pasque
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In one embodiment described in the specification, a surgically implantable reciprocating pump employs a check valve as the piston, which is driven by a permanent magnet linear electric motor to assist either side of the natural heart. The pump is implanted in the aorta or pulmonary artery using vascular attachment cuffs such as flexible cuffs for suturing at each end with the pump output directly in line with the artery. The pump is powered by surgically implanted rechargeable batteries. In another embodiment, pairs of pumps are provided to replace or assist the natural heart or to provide temporary blood flow throughout the body, for example, during operations to correct problems with the natural heart.
An electrical circuit for use in equipment requiring redundancy comprising redundant parallel current paths for current flow between a higher voltage level conductor and a lower voltage level conductor, a plurality of switch means in each current path connected in series between the higher and lower voltage level conductors for controlling current flow between the higher and lower voltage level conductors, each of the parallel current paths having sensing points between adjacent switch means, the current flow through each path providing a voltage level at each sensing point, and comparison means for detecting voltage differences between corresponding sensing points in the parallel current paths to indicate when one switch means is not in the same state as another switch means.
A method for providing redundant parallel current paths in an electrical circuit comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.