Allegheny-singer Research Institute

University of Pittsburgh

Upmc

John J Pacella

Richard E Clark

Dennis Robert Trumble

Andrew H Goldstein

Fred W Moeller

Xucai Chen

George J Magovern

Flordeliza Villanueva

Jianjun Wang

Stephen D'Auria

Francois Tchi Ho Yu

Thiruganesh Ramasamy

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a functionalized microbubble designed for treating and/or preventing vascular obstructions, including microvascular obstructions. The functionalized microbubble embodiments comprise a microbubble that can be activated upon exposure to ultrasound and further that has a lipid-based shell that is attached to an exteriorly-attached therapeutically active agent, such as a thrombolytic agent. Also disclosed herein are embodiments of a method for making and using the functionalized microbubble embodiments.

Functionalized microbubble embodiments for ultrasound-mediated treatment and methods of making and using the same

Various methods of performing ultrasound contrast assisted therapy are provided. One such method includes delivering a plurality of microbubble-based ultrasound contrast agents to a target area and disrupting the microbubble-based ultrasound contrast agents by delivering tone bursts of ultrasound to the target area. The oscillation of the microbubble-based ultrasound contrast agents can be achieved by delivering ultrasound tone bursts of greater than 5 acoustic cycles with a pulse repetition frequency of between 0.01 and 20 Hz, with pressure greater than 0.3 MPa.

Methods and devices for ultrasound contrast-assisted therapy

A blood pump device comprises a blood pump having blood transport ports, cannulae connected to the ports, and a coating material covering the junction between the inner surfaces of the ports and cannulae. This forms a smooth transition so blood can flow unimpeded therefrom and collection cavities for the blood are eliminated. Also included is a method for producing a smooth coating. The blood pump device comprises a second portion including a stator mechanism, a rotor mechanism, an impeller, a journal, and a seat member. The second portion is constructed to pump blood through the cannulae when power is provided. The blood pump device is also equipped with a safety occluder device, a sensor for detecting back emf in the stator mechanism, and a controller having the capability of indicating stator current and rotor speed.

Blood pump device and method of producing

The present invention pertains to a circulatory system, such as a circulatory assist system for a patient. The system comprises a blood pump having tubing fluidically communicating with a person's blood vessel. The blood pump can be, for instance, a centrifugal blood pump but is not limited thereto. The system also comprises an occluder device for controlling flow of the blood pump. The occluder device is in contact with the tubing of the blood pump. The occluder device can be incorporated into an anti-kink sheath over the outlet graft tubing of the blood pump. Preferably, the system comprises control means for actuating the occluder device when the blood pump malfunctions. In this manner, potentially fatal retrograde blood due to pump failure is automatically prevented. In a preferred embodiment, the occluder device comprises a cylindrical tube and a bladder mechanism connected to the inside surface of the tube. Type bladder mechanism preferably comprises a bladder and means for inflating the bladder. The inflating means preferably comprises a bladder pump having a tube in fluidic communication with the bladder. The bladder can be of a variety of constructions in the tube. The bladder can cover all or a portion of the inner surface of the tube. Also, two bladders can oppose each other, in a non-overlapping manner, within the tube. Alternatively, the bladder can cover the entire 360&deg; of the inner surface. In this manner, as the bladder is inflated, the orifice closes with decreasing diameter, much like a natural biological valve. The occluder device could be rapidly inflated and deflated for applications as a valve either internally or externally. This would transform the normal steady flow output of a blood pump to a pulsatile output.

Occluder device and method of making

A blood pump device which includes a blood pump having blood transport ports and cannulae connected to the ports. The blood pump device also includes a coating material covering the junction between the inner surfaces of the ports and cannulae. A method of producing a smooth coating. A blood pump device including a second portion having a stator mechanism and a rotor mechanism disposed adjacent to and driven by the stator mechanism. The second portion has a journal disposed about the rotor mechanism to provide support therewith. The second portion has an impeller disposed in the chamber and a seal member for sealing about a shaft of the impeller. The seal member is fixedly attached to the journal so that the seal member is supported by the journal. A mechanism for providing power to the blood pump so that blood can be pumped through a cannula.

Blood pump device having a journal

The present invention pertains to a circulatory system, such as a circulatory assist system for a patient. The system comprises a blood pump having tubing fluidically communicating with a person's blood vessel. The blood pump can be, for instance, a centrifugal blood pump but is not limited thereto. The system also comprises an occluder device for controlling flow of the blood pump. The occluder device is in contact with the tubing of the blood pump. The occluder device can be incorporated into an anti-kink sheath over the outlet graft tubing of the blood pump. Preferably, the system comprises control means for actuating the occluder device when the blood pump malfunctions. In this manner, potentially fatal retrograde blood due to pump failure is automatically prevented. In a preferred embodiment, the occluder device comprises a cylindrical tube and a bladder mechanism connected to the inside surface of the tube. The bladder mechanism preferably comprises a bladder and means for inflating the bladder. The inflating means preferably comprises a bladder pump having a tube in fluidic communication with the bladder. The bladder can be of a variety of constructions in the tube. The bladder can cover all or a portion of the inner surface of the tube. Also, two bladders can oppose each other, in a non-overlapping manner, within the tube. Alternatively, the bladder can cover the entire 360.degree. of the inner surface. In this manner, as the bladder is inflated, the orifice closes with decreasing diameter, much like a natural biological valve. The occluder device could be rapidly inflated and deflated for applications as a valve either internally or externally. This would transform the normal steady flow output of a blood pump to a pulsatile output.

The present invention pertains to a blood pump device which comprises a blood pump having blood transport ports and cannulae connected to the ports. The blood pump device also comprises a coating material covering the junction between the inner surfaces of the ports and cannulae. This forms a smooth transition so blood can flow unimpeded therefrom and collection cavities for the blood are eliminated. The invention is also related to a method of producing a smooth coating. The present invention is a blood pump device comprising a second portion having a stator mechanism and a rotor mechanism disposed adjacent to and driven by the stator mechanism. The second portion has a journal disposed about the rotor mechanism to provide support therewith. The second portion has an impeller disposed in the chamber and a one-piece seal member for sealing about a shaft of the impeller. The seal member is fixedly attached to the journal so that the seal member is supported by the journal. The present invention is also related to means for providing power to the blood pump so that blood can be pumped through a cannulae. The providing means includes a controller having means for sensing pump failure and an output terminal for actuating a safety occluder in an event of pump failure. Preferably, there is a safety occluder device disposed about the cannulae and in communication with the output terminal. Preferably, the blood pump comprises a motor having stator mechanism and a rotor mechanism driven by the stator mechanism. The sensing means comprises means for determining back electromagnetic force within the stator mechanism. Preferably, the controlling means has means for providing signals indicate of stator current and rotor speed, respectively. The providing means is in communication with the means for determining back electromagnetic force in the stator mechanism.

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Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

John J Pacella