A device to assist the performance of a heart with at least one pump that is formed as a rotary pump and driven via a magneto coupling.

A device to assist the performance of a heart with at least one pump that is formed as a rotary pump and driven via a magneto coupling.

The present invention provides an intravascular right ventricular assist device, i.e., the cavo-arterial pump (CAP). Two prototypes of the CAP were developed, including a direct drive CAP and a magnetic drive CAP, demonstrating the feasibility of providing adequate pulmonary support and the feasibility of using axial magnetic couplings for contactless torque transmission from the motor shaft to the pump impeller. The magnetic drive CAP was able to operate up to 18.5 kRPM and produce a maximum flow rate of 1.35 L/min and a maximum pressure head of 40 mm Hg.

A bearingless and sealless rotary blood pump is disclosed which provides multidirectional flow intended to provide low-pressure, high-volume right-sided partial assist circulatory support in a univentricular Fontan circulation on a permanent basis. The pump includes a housing and an impeller suspended in the center of the housing. The housing incorporates flow optimization features between inlet and outlet ends, as well as with the impeller surface. Large fluid gaps maintained between impeller and housing eliminate any potential for blood flow obstruction. The impeller contains some motor components. It includes a central stator and surrounding rotor. The motor includes a brushless DC outrunner electrical motor design. An electromagnetic stator core is surrounded by a circumferential passive magnetic ring. The rotor is further levitated about the stator spindle by a plurality of axially and radially located passive magnetic and hydrodynamic journal bearings on both ends of the spindle. The rotor is bearingless and sealless. During impeller rotation, blood entering the space between the rotor and stator is induced to flow by centrifugal pumping action and the fluid film separates the stator hydrodynamic bearings from the rotor so that there is no direct mechanical contact between the rotor and stator.

A heart pump including a housing defining a cavity including at least one inlet aligned with an axis of the cavity and at least one outlet provided in a circumferential outer wall of the cavity. An impeller is provided within the cavity, the impeller including a rotor and vanes mounted on the rotor for urging fluid from the inlet radially outwardly to the outlet. A drive is provided for rotating the impeller in the cavity, the drive including a plurality of circumferentially spaced permanent drive magnets mounted within and proximate a first face of the rotor, adjacent drive magnets having opposing polarities and a plurality of circumferentially spaced drive coils mounted within the housing proximate a first end of the cavity, each coil being wound on a respective drive stator pole of a drive stator and being substantially radially aligned with the drive magnets, the drive coils being configured to generate a drive magnetic field that cooperates with the drive magnets to thereby rotate the impeller. A magnetic bearing is also provided to thereby at least one of control an axial position of the impeller and at least partially restrain radial movement of the impeller.

A heart pump including a housing defining a cavity including at least one inlet aligned with an axis of the cavity and at least one outlet provided in a circumferential outer wall of the cavity. An impeller is provided within the cavity, the impeller including a rotor and vanes mounted on the rotor for urging fluid from the inlet radially outwardly to the outlet. A drive is provided for rotating the impeller in the cavity, the drive including a plurality of circumferentially spaced permanent drive magnets mounted within and proximate a first face of the rotor, adjacent drive magnets having opposing polarities and a plurality of circumferentially spaced drive coils mounted within the housing proximate a first end of the cavity, each coil being wound on a respective drive stator pole of a drive stator and being substantially radially aligned with the drive magnets, the drive coils being configured to generate a drive magnetic field that cooperates with the drive magnets to thereby rotate the impeller. A magnetic bearing is also provided to thereby at least one of control an axial position of the impeller and at least partially restrain radial movement of the impeller.

Apparatus and methods are described including manufacturing an impeller by forming a structure having first and second bushings at proximal and distal ends that are connected to one another by at least one elongate element. The elongate element is made to radially expand and form a helical elongate element. An elastomeric material is coupled to the helical elongate element, such that the helical elongate element with the elastomeric material coupled thereto defines a blade of the impeller. The coupling is performed such that a layer of the material disposed around a radially outer edge of the helical elongate element forms the effective edge of the impeller blade. A step is performed to enhance bonding of the elastomeric material to the helical elongate element in a manner that does not cause a protrusion from the effective edge of the impeller blade. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described including manufacturing an impeller by forming a structure having first and second bushings at proximal and distal ends that are connected to one another by at least one elongate element. The elongate element is made to radially expand and form a helical elongate element. An elastomeric material is coupled to the helical elongate element, such that the helical elongate element with the elastomeric material coupled thereto defines a blade of the impeller. The coupling is performed such that a layer of the material disposed around a radially outer edge of the helical elongate element forms the effective edge of the impeller blade. A step is performed to enhance bonding of the elastomeric material to the helical elongate element in a manner that does not cause a protrusion from the effective edge of the impeller blade. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described including coupling a rigid tube to a drive cable that comprises a plurality of coiled wires, by placing ends of the drive cable and the rigid tube at a given location within a butt-welding overtube. The ends of the drive cable and the rigid tube are visible when they are disposed at the given location within the butt-welding overtube, via a window defined by the butt-welding overtube. The placement of the drive cable within the butt-welding overtube is such that a helical groove within a portion of the butt-welding overtube is disposed over the drive cable. Welding rings are formed around the butt-welding overtube. Other applications are also described.

Apparatus and methods are described including coupling a rigid tube to a drive cable that comprises a plurality of coiled wires, by placing ends of the drive cable and the rigid tube at a given location within a butt-welding overtube. The ends of the drive cable and the rigid tube are visible when they are disposed at the given location within the butt-welding overtube, via a window defined by the butt-welding overtube. The placement of the drive cable within the butt-welding overtube is such that a helical groove within a portion of the butt-welding overtube is disposed over the drive cable. Welding rings are formed around the butt-welding overtube. Other applications are also described.