Magnetohydrodynamic cardiac assist device

A cardiac bypass pump device for a patient having an aorta having an inner diameter, an inferior vena cava having an inner diameter, the inferior vena cava and aorta filled with blood, comprising:

• an aortic electrode assembly, said aortic electrode assembly having an uncollapsed configuration wherein said first and second electrodes are situated in spaced relationship so as to permit the accumulation and passage of blood therebetween while said aortic electrode assembly is situated within the aorta said electrode assembly having a collapsed configuration wherein said first and second electrodes are situated adjacent to one another so as to facilitate the insertion of said aortic electrode assembly into the aorta;
• a direct current power supply for supplying power to said first and second electrodes of said aortic electrode assembly, said direct current power supply producing an aortic current flow from said first electrode so as to electrify blood situated between said first and second electrode of said aortic electrode assembly, producing electrified blood, said aortic current flow passing on to said second electrode;
• a venal electrode assembly, said venal electrode assembly having an uncollapsed configuration wherein said first and second electrodes are situated in spaced relationship so as to permit the accumulation and passage to of blood therebetween while said venal electrode assembly is situated within the vena cava said electrode assembly having a collapsed configuration wherein said first and second electrodes are situated adjacent to one another so as to facilitate the insertion of said venal electrode assembly into the inferior vena cava;
• a direct current power supply for supplying power to said first and second electrodes of said venal electrode assembly, said direct current power supply producing a venal current flow from said second electrode of said venal electrode assembly so as to electrify blood situated between said first and second electrodes of said venal electrode assembly, producing electrified blood, said venal current flow passing on to said first electrode;
• means for providing a magnetic field so as to produce lines of flux which pass through blood situated between said first and second electrodes of said aortic electrode assembly, and said first and second electrodes of said venal electrode assembly, said lines of flux being orthogonal to said aortic and venal current flows.

The method of facilitating circulation of blood in a blood vessel in a patient, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a collapsible electrode assembly, said electrode assembly having first and second electrodes situated in opposing, spaced relationship adjacent to the inner wall of said blood vessel to facilitate the accumulation and passage of blood therebetween when in an uncollapsed state;
• b) urging said first and second electrodes toward one another, providing a collapsed electrode assembly;
• c) inserting said collapsed electrode into said blood vessel, providing an inserted electrode assembly;
• d) allowing said first and second electrodes in said inserted electrode assembly be urged to an uncollapsed state within the blood vessel, wherein said first and second electrodes are situated in a generally parallel, spaced relationship;
• e) passing a direct current flow from said first electrode, through blood situated between said first and second electrodes, to said second electrode, forming electrified blood;
• f) providing a magnetic field driven through said blood vessel, said magnetic field producing lines of flux which pass through the blood situated between said first and second electrodes forming said electrode assembly, said lines of flux being orthogonal to said current flow;
• g) allowing said magnetic field to interact with said electrified blood so as to produce a magnetohydrodynamic flow of said electrified blood, said flow running at a right angle to said lines of flux and said current flow.

A device for promoting fluid movement in a fluid conduit having an inner wall forming an interior having fluid situated therein, comprising:

• an electrode assembly adapted to be situated in the interior of said conduit said electrode assembly having an uncollapsed configuration wherein said first and second electrodes are situated in spaced relationship so as to permit the accumulation and passage of fluid therebetween while said electrode assembly is situated within the conduit, said electrode assembly having a collapsed configuration wherein said first and second electrodes are situated adjacent to one another so as to facilitate the insertion of said electrode assembly into the conduit;
• a power supply for supplying power to said first and second electrodes, said power supply producing a current flow between said first and second electrodes to electrify fluid situated between said first and second electrode, so as to produce electrified fluid;
• a magnet for providing a magnetic field to produce lines of flux which pass through said fluid situated between said first and second electrodes, said lines of flux being orthogonal to said current flow;
• said magnetic field interacting with said electrified fluid to produce a magnetohydrodynamic flow of said electrified fluid within the conduit.

The method of facilitating circulation of blood in a patient, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing an electrode assembly having first and second electrodes situated in generally parallel, spaced relationship;
• b. urging said first and second electrodes towards one another, providing a collapsed electrode;
• c. inserting said collapsed electrode into a blood vessel;
• d. allowing said first and second electrodes of said collapsed electrode to be urged in an uncollapsed state within the blood vessel, such that said first and second electrodes are situated in a generally parallel, spaced relationship within the blood vessel of the patient, so as to permit the accumulation and passage of blood therebetween;
• e) passing a direct current flow from said first electrode, through blood situated between said first and second electrodes, to said second electrode, forming electrified blood;
• f) providing a magnetic field orthogonal to said current flow and through said electrified blood;
• g) allowing said magnetic field to interact with said electrified blood so as to produce a magnetohydrodynamic flow of said electrified blood, said flow running at a right angle to said lines of flux and said current flow.

A fluid pump for facilitating the flow of fluid though a blood vessel, comprising:

• a collapsible electrode assembly adapted to be inserted within said blood vessel, said electrode assembly having first and second electrodes situated in generally parallel, spaced relationship so as to permit the passage of fluid situated therebetween;
• a power supply for supplying power to said first and second electrodes so as to produce a current flow through fluid between said first and second electrodes;
• a magnet for providing a magnetic field orthogonal to said current flow;
• said magnetic field interacting with said electrified fluid so as to produce a magnetohydrodynamic flow of fluid between said first and second electrodes and through said blood vessel.