Abstract: The ultimate in suplicity and reliability, an axial-flow blood pump is supported by an all passive contact-free hybrid bearing suspension that can measure differential pump pressure. The preferred suspension consists of a radial hydrodynamic journal bearing with axial magnetic thrust bearings. The thrust bearing consists of repulsion magnet pairs positioned at each end of the rotor. This holds bidirectional loads with a stable restoring force (negative axial stiffness). Rotor axial position shifts with load and is monitored with a position sensor to inherently provide pump differential pressure (which may be used to physiologically control pump flow rate). The hydrodynamic radial and “smart” axial magnet thrust bearings use large gaps to eliminate hemolysis and are actively washed out under pressure with fresh blood to eliminate thrombosis.

Abstract: An implantable blood pump actuator uses an efficient direct drive voice coil linear motor to power an hydraulic piston. The motor is immersed in oil and has but one moving part, a magnet which is attached to the piston. The piston is supported using a linear double acting hydrodynamic oil bearing that eliminates all wear and will potentially give an infinitely long life. There are no flexing leads, springs to break or parts to fatigue. A total artificial heart embodiment is very light, small, and as efficient as present prosthesis. The motor uses two commutated coils for high efficiency and has inherently low side forces due to the use of coils on both the inside and outside diameters of the magnet. The motor is cooled by forced convection of oil from the piston motion and by direct immersion of the coils in the oil. The highly effective cooling results in a smaller lighter weight motor.

Abstract: A unique and novel goniometer is set forth to orient a sample in an X-ray beam, for example, to better than 0.001.degree. without introducing translation. This structure is infinitely adjustable and stable.

Abstract: A flow meter for liquids comprising two tubes interconnected at their lower ends, one tube providing an inflow passage for liquid from a supply container and the second tube having an opening at its upper end. A thin orifice disc in sealing engagement with lower portions of the tubes has an orifice through which liquid flows, the rate of flow being governed by flow control means associated with a set incorporating the flow meter. The tubes are enclosed within a drip chamber having an outlet at its lower end. Indicia associated with the second tube mark the various flow rates. In another form of the device, a third tube adjacent the second tube and connected by their top portions with a passageway has a second orifice at its base and second indicia so that a flow meter with an extended flow rate capability is obtained. The flow meters provide greater accuracy in flow rates and the flow rates are only minimally affected by solutions of widely differing viscosities.

Abstract: A fluid flow regulator is inexpensively constructed in a unitary system with a rigid and transparent drip chamber overlying a rigid float chamber. The purpose of the regulator is to control the dispensing of physiological fluids or the like to be infused into the circulatory system of a patient. The unitary structure is essentially cylindrical in shape divided by a median wall into a top cylindrical portion functioning as a drip chamber and a bottom cylindrical portion functioning as a float chamber. The two chambers are connected by a pressure equalizing air tube and neither chamber is vented to the outside atmosphere. Such pressure equalization makes the system self-compensating for the purpose of maintaining a constant head for the fluid between the drip chamber and the float chamber.

Abstract: A liquid administration apparatus includes a closed fluid system enabled by a double bore metering tube which leads from an intermediate sump fed by a supply container to a flow controlling float chamber. The supply container can either be of the flexible bag type or the bottle type, both commonly used for infusing physiological fluids into the circulatory system of a patient. The float chamber is movably mounted on a flow indicating scale to set calibrated rates of flow. The sump is divided into a reservoir portion and an over-flow portion by a dam and an air inlet tube projects above the dam. A liquid inlet means leads from the reservoir portion through a metering tube to the float chamber. The float chamber includes a float which is buoyed by liquid entering the float chamber and centered by splines projecting inwardly of the float chamber. The float in the float chamber functions as a valve to selectively open and close a port leading to the infusion needle of the apparatus.