University of Utah Research Foundation

Other

John W Holfert

Donald B Olsen

Don B Olsen

James W Long

Willem J Kolff

Yvo M Smulders

Jeffery T Juretich

Pamela A Dew

Paul D Diegel

A method for fabricating a flexible, blood pumping membrane for use within an artificial ventricle, involves the steps of selecting a mold configured to provide a dome shaped diaphragm biased in a static mode to a systolic configuration and suitable for use within a ventricular housing as a part of a blood pumping membrane. The specific steps include forming the dome shaped diaphragm on a surface of the mold to include (i) a perimeter comprising at least a portion of a diaphragm/housing interface which is configured to connect the dome shaped diaphragm with the ventricular housing to enclose a blood pumping chamber, and (ii) an intermediate annular section of the dome shaped diaphragm extending inward from the diaphragm/housing interface in a configuration corresponding to that portion of the diaphragm when the ventricle is substantially at full systole.

Method of making a blood pumping membrance for artificial ventricles

A ventricle assist device for placement within a living body and including a self contained drive motor for generating pumping action with respect to a hydraulic pumping fluid. The ventricle assist device includes a ventricle having a blood chamber and a pumping chamber and an interconnect means coupled to the pumping chamber of the ventricle for receiving and displacing hydraulic fluid. A separate volume displacement chamber is attached to the interconnect means and provides a reservoir for excess hydraulic fluid for storage during diastole. A fluid pump and drive motor is positioned within the volume displacement chamber and connected at the interconnect means to supply the required pumping action for transfer of hydraulic fluid to and from the pumping chamber. Placement of the fluid pump and drive motor within the volume displacement chamber provides enhanced dissipation of heat from the energy conversion system and improved performance and durability.

Ventricle assist device with volume displacement chamber

A tubular interconnected device for coupling within the circulatory system of a living being. The device includes first and second connective members formed of rigid materials of high tolerance construction. The connective members each have an internal sealing edge with mating faces for developing sealing contact when interlocked. A sleeve is attached to one of the connective members and operates with respect to the second connective member to draw the two into an aligned, locked configuration, with force imposed at the sealed junction of the mating faces. Distal edges at the extremities of each connective member are permanently sealed to open ends of the circulatory system to which the interconnect device is coupled. Specific structure is disclosed for use in connectioin with an artificial heart implant.

Tubular interconnect device for use within the circulatory system

An artificial heart device for producing heart pumping action as part of a total artificial heart implant comprising a housing of elongate configuration enclosing a pumping volume of sufficient capacity to provide adequate blood flow within the living being. A deformable diaphragm structure is attached at its perimeter to an interior housing surface approximately at the largest perimeter of the pumping volume to form a deformable partition deviding the pumping volume into a blood chamber and a drive chamber. The diaphragm structure has a modified hemi-ellipsoidal configuration when fully extended, modification being represented by four sections of substantially equal quadrants formed by intersection of the diaphragm structure with two orthogonal planes oriented in parallel relationship with the vertical axis. The curvature of each medial section of each quadrant is reduced or flattened to form a medial section having a lower profile as compared to surrounding ellipsoidal curvature. This structure reduces occurrence of bi-axial folding and enhancing random folding activity within the diaphragm. Valve inlet and outlet means are coupled to the housing in communication with the blood flow chamber for attachment along with the circulatory system of a living being. Pumping means are provided for actuating alternating extension and collapse of the diaphragm structure with respect to the drive chamber to simulate pumping action of the natural heart.

Modified elliptical artificial heart

An artificial heart device for producing heart pumping action as part of a total artificial heart implant comprising a semi-rigid housing of approximate ellipsoidal configuration which encloses a pumping volume divided into a blood chamber and a pumping chamber by a deformable diaphragm structure which is symmetrically positioned about a short axis of the ellipsoid housing. This diaphragm structure is also configured as a hemiellipsoidal structure, allowing the device to have smaller dimensions but to maintain the required high stroke volume necessary to function within a human circulatory system. The device includes valved inlet and outlet openings coupled through the housing and in communication with the blood chamber. A pneumatic pump is coupled to the pumping chamber through a series of concentric vents formed within the base of the artificial heart device.

Growing community of inventors

Bountiful, UT, United States of America

John W Holfert