Abstract: A cannula system for a biventricular cardiac support system or a cardiopulmonary bypass system wherein a first cannula having a pair of side-by-side lumens is adapted to be positioned within the left atrium and left ventricle and aorta of a patient. Blood from the left atrium and left ventricle drains into one of the lumens in the first cannula and is conveyed to the inlet of a pulsatile flow cardiopulmonary bypass pump from where it is pumped through the other lumen into the aorta of the patient. An inflatable balloon is provided at the distal end of the first cannula for holding the distal end of the cannula in the aorta above the aortic valve, The first cannula includes an axially extending bore communicating with a space in the aorta between the inflated balloon and the aortic valve for conveying cardioplegic solution to the space communicating with the left and right arteries of the patient.

Abstract: A cam controlled pulsatile flow pump for neonatal and biventricular cardiac support systems wherein cylindrical cams having various profiles designed for a particular patient are selectively mounted on the output shaft of a motor. A roller follower engages the cam and is operatively connected to a compression plate under which at least one compressible conduit containing the patient's blood extends. The stroke volume of blood contained in the conduit can also be controlled.

Abstract: A cannula system for a biventricular cardiac support system or a cardiopulmonary bypass system wherein a first cannula having a pair of side-by-side lumens is adapted to be positioned within the left atrium and left ventricle and aorta of a patient. Blood from the left atrium and left ventricle drains into one of the lumens in the first cannula and is conveyed to the inlet of a pulsatile flow cardiopulmonary bypass pump from where it is pumped through the other lumen into the aorta of the patient. An inflatable balloon is provided at the distal end of the first cannula for holding the distal end of the cannula in the aorta above the aortic valve. The first cannula includes an axially extending bore communicating with a space in the aorta between the inflated balloon and the aortic valve for conveying cardioplegic solution to the space communicating with the left and right arteries of the patient.

Abstract: A biventricular pulsatile cardiac support system having a mechanically balanced stroke volume wherein a pair of side-by-side, valveless, compressible conduits extend through the compression chamber of a pulsatile flow cardiopulmonary bypass pump and a passive exterior valve positioned at the inlet and the outlet of the pump. The inlets of the conduits communicate with the right and left atria of the patient's heart and the outlets of the conduits communicate with the pulmonary artery and aorta so that the volume of blood passing from the right atrium, through the right ventricle, to the pulmonary artery, is substantially balanced with the volume of blood passing from the left atrium through the left ventricle to the aorta. The support system can be operated in single or biventricular support mode and in partial or total cardiopulmonary bypass mode, omitting the oxygenator used in conventional cardiopulmonary bypass, and in so doing, rely on the patient's own lungs rather than artificial oxygenator.

Abstract: A cannula system for a biventricular cardiac support system or a cardiopulmonary bypass system wherein a first cannula having a pair of side-by-side lumens is adapted to be positioned within the left atrium and left ventricle and aorta of a patient. Blood from the left atrium and left ventricle drains into one of the lumens in the first cannula and is conveyed to the inlet of a pulsatile flow cardiopulmonary bypass pump from where it is pumped through the other lumen into the aorta of the patient. An inflatable balloon is provided at the distal end of the first cannula for holding the distal end of the cannula in the aorta above the aortic valve. The first cannula includes an axially extending bore communicating with a space in the aorta between the inflated balloon and the aortic valve for conveying cardioplegic solution to the space communicating with the left and right arteries of the patient.

Abstract: A valveless blood conduit for pulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass pump constructed and arranged to provide a surge chamber, a pumping chamber and a reservoir portion, externally valved for use in a pre-load responsive pulsatile pump. The blood conduit precludes the necessity of employing a large volume venous reservoir in a cardiopulmonary bypass system employing a pre-load responsive pump, thus reducing a patient's blood to exposure to large air-blood interfaces and large non-endothelial surface areas.

Abstract: A blood conduit for a pulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass pump constructed and arranged to provide a surge chamber, a pumping chamber, and a reservoir portion. The blood conduit precludes the necessity of employing a separate reservoir in a closed cardiopulmonary bypass system so that there is a direct continuity of blood from the atrium of the patient's heart to the pulsatile pump. With a preload responsive pulsatile pump, the system can be utilized with a gravity flow oxygenator.

Abstract: New blood substitutes are described having osmolarities greater than normal blood. The new blood substitues typically comprise a physiologically acceptable fluid electrolyte solution, a physiologically acceptable agent capable of increasing the osmolarity of the blood substitute to a value greater than normal blood, an oxygen carrying substance, and a sufficient amount of water to achieve the desired osmolarity. The blood substitutes of the present invention have osmolarities in the range of 500-800 milliosmoles per liter.

Abstract: The use of a pulsatile flow blood pump in a hemodialysis system is disclosed. In comparison to the customary steady flow blood pump of the prior art, the pulsatile flow blood pump clears urea, a low molecular weight molecule, from the bood approximately three times as fast as does the steady flow roller pump commonly used on a worldwide basis for hemodialysis. Large molecules, such as vitamin B.sub.12 are also cleared more rapidly by the pulsatile flow pump, but less rapidly than the smaller molecules. Total time of dialysis is reduced and the results obtained by using the pulsatile flow blood pump are more physiologic, in that the more harmful molecules, urea, are selectively cleared more rapidly while the larger more desirable molecules, vitamin B.sub.12, are retained.

Abstract: Comparatively cool fan bypass air in the annular space surrounding the air compressor of a fan jet engine is diverted near the front of the engine into a duct leading to right and left hand aircraft wing leading edge ducts which in turn deliver the bypass air to a wing blowing device to augment wing lift. All of the fan-generated bypass air can be positively forced into the common duct or manifold by operation of a guided flexible metal strip of sufficient length to form a concave helical diverter vane extending for one complete turn in the annular bypass air engine space when activated by a power control mechanism. Fixed coacting guides shape the normally flat metal strip into the proper cross sectional configuration when the strip is driven to its active bypass air diverting position.

Abstract: A valved compressible state of the art Dacron shunt is sutured to the left atrium and to the descending thoracic aorta. One ferromagnetic and one diamagnetic shunt compression plate is positioned on one side of the shunt with the two plates in opposing relationship. A state of the art electromagnet and synchronizing mechanism exteriorly of the body cyclically, in accordance with the patient's QRS complex, generates a pulsating magnetic field which drives the ferromagnetic plate toward the diamagnetic plate, thereby cyclically compressing the shunt during diastole and giving assistance to the left ventricle of the heart.

Abstract: A pulsatile flow cardiopulmonary bypass pump for use outside of the body during cardiac surgery and/or in the period immediately thereafter is disclosed. A grooved spinner is motor driven through a fluid coupling which enables idling of the spinner during diastole. The shell of the pump has a roof to which the spinner drive motor is attached, and the roof can move axially of the shell body and is biased resiliently in one axial direction. The roof of the shell moves as a function of duration of systole and magnitude of afterload, reducing stroke volume in the presence of high afterload. A groove rider having a friction reducing ball bearing drives a ring follower housing during rotation of the spinner.

Abstract: A left atrial to descending thoracic aorta shunt is encircled by an artificial muscle sheath consisting of a multiplicity of connected rod-like segments formed of an elastomer. Each segment contains a series of embedded electromagnets and surrounding dispersed fragments of magnetically attractable material. The electromagnets are energized across intact skin of a recipient of the device by state of the art induction means to cause contraction of the individual artificial muscle segments with resulting contraction of the muscle sheath to thereby squeeze cyclically a predetermined volume of blood through the flexible shunt which is equipped at opposite ends of the muscle sheath with check valves.

Abstract: An implanted tether-free externally powered motor with suitable reduction gearing drives a spirally grooved shaft having a ring housing for a shaft follower pin. A rectangular cross section chamber receives an ejection plate pivoted near one end to a first leg of the ring housing and having a resilient lost motion connection with a second leg of the ring housing near its other end. A compressible sac or pouch extends through said chamber and is fitted at its opposite ends with porcine valves and has conduit extensions outwardly of said valves for connection with the left atrium and the descending thoracic aorta, respectively. During use, the sac or pouch is cyclically compressed by the ejection plate, initially at the end of the ejection plate having the lost motion yielding connection with the follower ring housing, and subsequently at both ends of the ejection plate so that a predetermined volume of blood is delivered on each stroke of the ejection plate to the thoracic aorta.

Abstract: A wing duct near and parallel to the leading edge of an aircraft wing receives air from the jet engines of the craft. The wing duct is spiral-like in cross section with an exit slit for directing high velociy air rearwardly over the dorsal wing surface and toward the trailing edge of the wing. A vertically movable slat matching the contour of the wing adjacent to the duct covers the exit slit leading from the duct when in a lowered position. The slat is raised automatically by the high velocity air stream blasting out of the exit slit and the slat directs this air stream rearwardly and prevents it from flowing forwardly. The slat is attached to the top of a gridwork through which the high velocity air stream from the exit slit must flow and the gridwork, in conjunction with the elevated slat, produces laminar flow of air across the top of the wing and minimizes turbulence.

Abstract: A pulsatile flow pumping unit adapted to serve as a total cardiac replacement device, a cardiac assist pump for orthotopic placement, for extracorporeal application in conjunction with a membrane oxygenator for cardiopulmonary support during surgery or critical illnesses, for pulsatile flow coronary artery perfusion, and for filling and emptying of an aortic diastolic augmentation balloon for cardiac assist is provided. The pumping unit features simplicity of construction, comparative economy and reliability by utilizing a minimum number of working parts including a large diameter slitted rotary driver and cam operated follower means which avoids close machining tolerances and attendant high cost of manufacturing. The device automatically adjusts its rate of pumping in accordance with both preload (filling pressure) and afterload (pulmonic and systemic pressure) and in addition modifies its stroke volume in a downward direction when confronted with high afterload.

Abstract: A pumping device whose functioning resembles the action of the natural four chambered heart is constructed as a total cardiac replacement unit. An internal electrical drive motor adapted to be powered by radio frequency induction across intact skin drives an eccentric rotary element which in turn causes oscillation of pivoted vanes whose movements cyclically compress a pair of blood compatible sacs which simulate the left ventricle and right ventricle of the natural heart by pumping blood through the aorta and pulmonary artery, respectively. As in the natural heart, stroke volume of each ventricle is independent of the other and is a function of right atrial and left atrial pressure and volume. Additional embodiments of the invention feature modified driving means for the pumping vanes.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a total cardiac replacement device or four chambered heart for orthotopic placement is provided. This device is a pulsatile flow, synchronous ventricular ejection pump which closely simulates the action of the human heart. An internal electrical drive motor is powered by radio frequency induction across intact skin without external connections. A grooved rotary shaft driven by the motor powers a linear follower disc in one direction to compress two blood compatible sacs which simulate the left ventricle and right ventricle of the heart by pumping blood through the aorta and pulmonary artery, respectively. Return movement of the follower disc in terms of rate is a function of right atrial and left atrial pressure and volume. Stroke volume of each simulated ventricle is independent of the other, as in the natural heart.