Abstract: Miniature axial flow pumps are implanted inside the heart or major arteries to provide hemodynamic support. These pumps commonly utilize tubular blood conduit tubes to transport blood across the aortic valve. The valve leaflets themselves are very thin and flexible, and will seal against the conduit if it is centered within the valve orifice. The present invention provides a conduit support device that retains the conduit centered within the annulus of the natural heart valve. A leaflet valve stent may be combined with a conduit support device comprised of a ring supported by posts attached to the valve stent ring. A blood pump may be attached to the center of a transvalvular support stent, for optimal fixation of the pump with relation to a trileaflet or bi-leaflet tissue or polymer valve.

Abstract: A centrifugal blood pump uses the “double suction” arrangement of the blood flow channels, by dividing the blood flow across the impeller into two practically identical streams, one flowing across the upstream side of the impeller and the other flowing across the downstream side. The double suction arrangement is obtained by using a “flow through cone bearing” mounted to the hub of the impeller. The impeller is attached to the driving motor by three posts, which do not significantly diminish the flow area. The annular flow through the motor “air gap” reaches the flow channel as a single stream and divides into two streams in the vicinity of the posts. The flow is distributed equally to the two sides of the impeller. After passing across the impeller the two streams combine into one that enters the spiral volute and continues past the pump cutwater and through the outflow channel.

Abstract: A centrifugal blood pump uses the “double suction” arrangement of the blood flow channels, by dividing the blood flow across the impeller into two practically identical streams, one flowing across the upstream side of the impeller and the other flowing across the downstream side. The double suction arrangement is obtained by using a “flow through cone bearing” mounted to the hub of the impeller. The impeller is attached to the driving motor by three posts, which do not significantly diminish the flow area. The annular flow through the motor “air gap” reaches the flow channel as a single stream and divides into two streams in the vicinity of the posts. The flow is distributed equally to the two sides of the impeller. After passing across the impeller the two streams combine into one that enters the spiral volute and continues past the pump cutwater and through the outflow channel.

Abstract: Miniature axial flow pumps are implanted inside the heart or major arteries to provide hemodynamic support. These pumps commonly utilize tubular blood conduit tubes to transport blood across the aortic valve. The valve leaflets themselves are very thin and flexible, and will seal against the conduit if it is centered within the valve orifice. The present invention provides a conduit support device that retains the conduit centered within the annulus of the natural heart valve. A leaflet valve stent may be combined with a conduit support device comprised of a ring supported by posts attached to the valve stent ring. A blood pump may be attached to the center of a transvalvular support stent, for optimal fixation of the pump with relation to a trileaflet or bi-leaflet tissue or polymer valve.

Abstract: Miniature axial flow pumps are implanted inside the heart or major arteries to provide hemodynamic support. These pumps commonly utilize tubular blood conduit tubes to transport blood across the aortic valve. The valve leaflets themselves are very thin and flexible, and will seal against the conduit if it is centered within the valve orifice. If the conduit is not centered, a leaflet can be pushed to the side of the aorta, preventing the leaflets from sealing and providing a path for backflow. If the blood flow conduit remains pushed against the side of the valve for a long period of time, thrombus may form in the crevice between the conduit and the aorta, causing serious thromboembolic events such as stroke, if the thrombus breaks free. The present invention provides a conduit support device that retains the conduit centered within the annulus of the natural heart valve.

Abstract: Highly miniaturized electro-mechanical medical implants for certain applications cannot be fit into the available anatomic space unless their diameter can be made small enough. With devices such as rotary blood pumps or linear actuators, using rotary or linear electric motors, a thin motor stator that provides sufficient power must be encased in a corrosion resistant hermetically sealed enclosure into which electric wires must pass. Hermetic feedthroughs of the prior art are not structurally suited to maximal miniaturization with optimal electrical properties because of the need for welding of ferrules or other support components. The sub-miniature medical implants having the robust feedthrough of the present invention integrate the feedthrough wires, insulators, and sealing within a radially extending flange that is part of the end wall of the motor enclosure. This permits the largest feedthrough wire and thickest insulator to be built into the limited available space.

Abstract: Miniature axial flow pumps are implanted inside the heart or major arteries to provide hemodynamic support. These pumps commonly utilize tubular blood conduit tubes to transport blood across the aortic valve. The valve leaflets themselves are very thin and flexible, and will seal against the conduit if it is centered within the valve orifice. If the conduit is not centered, a leaflet can be pushed to the side of the aorta, preventing the leaflets from sealing and providing a path for backflow. If the blood flow conduit remains pushed against the side of the valve for a long period of time, thrombus may form in the crevice between the conduit and the aorta, causing serious thromboembolic events such as stroke, if the thrombus breaks free. The present invention provides a conduit support device that retains the conduit centered within the annulus of the natural heart valve.

Abstract: Highly miniaturized electro-mechanical medical implants for certain applications cannot be fit into the available anatomic space unless their diameter can be made small enough. With devices such as rotary blood pumps or linear actuators, using rotary or linear electric motors, a thin motor stator that provides sufficient power must be encased in a corrosion resistant hermetically sealed enclosure into which electric wires must pass. Hermetic feedthroughs of the prior art are not structurally suited to maximal miniaturization with optimal electrical properties because of the need for welding of ferrules or other support components. The sub-miniature medical implants having the robust feedthrough of the present invention integrate the feedthrough wires, insulators, and sealing within a radially extending flange that is part of the end wall of the motor enclosure. This permits the largest feedthrough wire and thickest insulator to be built into the limited available space.

Abstract: Highly miniaturized electromechanical medical implants for certain applications cannot be fit into the available anatomic space unless their diameter can be made small enough. With devices such as rotary blood pumps or linear actuators, using rotary or linear electric motors, a thin motor stator that provides sufficient power must be encased in a corrosion resistant hermetically sealed enclosure into which electric wires must pass. Hermetic feedthroughs of the prior art are not structurally suited to maximal miniaturization with optimal electrical properties because of the need for welding of ferrules or other support components. The sub-miniature medical implants having the robust feedthrough of the present invention integrate the feedthrough wires, insulators, and sealing within a radially extending flange that is part of the end wall of the motor enclosure. This permits the largest feedthrough wire and thickest insulator to be built into the limited available space.

Abstract: Rotary hydrodynamic blood pumps have been used to treat over a thousand patients. The Jarvik 2000 has supported a patient for seven years and uses blood immersed bearings washed by high flow to avoid excessive thrombus formation. This permits the pump to be very simple and small. Nonetheless, the present Jarvik 2000 bearings and all other mechanical blood immersed bearings of the prior art have a supporting structure that predisposes to thrombus adjacent to the bearings. The present invention provides a bearing structure that eliminates this predilection site for thrombus formation, and may provide indefinite thrombus free operation. The rotor of the preferred embodiment includes a tapered hub fabricated of wear resistant material supported by three posts at each end of the rotor, upon which the rotor rotates. Blood washes the unobstructed spaces between the posts to prevent the accumulation of a torus of thrombus that could enlarge excessively.

Abstract: Rotary hydrodynamic blood pumps have been used to treat over a thousand patients. The Jarvik 2000 has supported a patient for seven years and uses blood immersed bearings washed by high flow to avoid excessive thrombus formation. This permits the pump to be very simple and small. Nonetheless, the present Jarvik 2000 bearings and all other mechanical blood immersed bearings of the prior art have a supporting structure that predisposes to thrombus adjacent to the bearings. The present invention provides a bearing structure that eliminates this predilection site for thrombus formation, and may provide indefinite thrombus free operation. The rotor of the preferred embodiment includes a tapered hub fabricated of wear resistant material supported by three posts at each end of the rotor, upon which the rotor rotates. Blood washes the unobstructed spaces between the posts to prevent the accumulation of a torus of thrombus that could enlarge excessively.

Abstract: Rotary hydrodynamic blood pumps have been used to treat over a thousand patients. The Jarvik 2000 has supported a patient for seven years and uses blood immersed bearings washed by high flow to avoid excessive thrombus formation. This permits the pump to be very simple and small. Nonetheless, the present Jarvik 2000 bearings and all other mechanical blood immersed bearings of the prior art have a supporting structure that predisposes to thrombus adjacent to the bearings. The present invention provides a bearing structure that eliminates this predilection site for thrombus formation, and may provide indefinite thrombus free operation. The rotor of the preferred embodiment includes a tapered hub fabricated of wear resistant material supported by three posts at each end of the rotor, upon which the rotor rotates. Blood washes the unobstructed spaces between the posts to prevent the accumulation of a torus of thrombus that could enlarge excessively.

Abstract: Rotary hydrodynamic blood pumps have been used to treat over a thousand patients. The Jarvik 2000 has supported a patient for seven years and uses blood immersed bearings washed by high flow to avoid excessive thrombus formation. This permits the pump to be very simple and small. Nonetheless, the present Jarvik 2000 bearings and all other mechanical blood immersed bearings of the prior art have a supporting structure that predisposes to thrombus adjacent to the bearings. The present invention provides a bearing structure that eliminates this predilection site for thrombus formation, and may provide indefinite thrombus free operation. The rotor of the preferred embodiment includes a tapered hub fabricated of wear resistant material supported by three posts at each end of the rotor, upon which the rotor rotates. Blood washes the unobstructed spaces between the posts to prevent the accumulation of a torus of thrombus that could enlarge excessively.

Abstract: An intraventricular blood pump is retained in position by an expandable stent placed in the aorta that anchors to the aortic wall. The pump ejects blood across the aortic valve either through a conduit or as a free stream of blood without a mechanical conduit passing between the valve leaflets. The ejection of blood causes a reactive force pushing the pump towards the ventricular apex and away from the valve. Thus, the pump may be held by three filaments connecting it to the anchoring stent. Other flexible members such as a tube made of pericardium, sutures, or a rigid rod may be used to hold the pump in place. The preferred embodiment includes an apically introduced stent anchored aortic valve having two flexible tissue leaflets and a conduit channeling blood from the pump in the ventricle into the aortic root and passing through the non-coronary sinus in the position usually occupied by the non-coronary cusp of the aortic valve.

Abstract: Rotary hydrodynamic blood pumps have been used to treat over a thousand patients. The Jarvik 2000 has supported a patient for seven years and uses blood immersed bearings washed by high flow to avoid excessive thrombus formation. This permits the pump to be very simple and small. Nonetheless, the present Jarvik 2000 bearings and all other mechanical blood immersed bearings of the prior art have a supporting structure that predisposes to thrombus adjacent to the bearings. The present invention provides a bearing structure that eliminates this predilection site for thrombus formation, and may provide indefinite thrombus free operation. The rotor of the preferred embodiment includes a tapered hub fabricated of wear resistant material supported by three posts at each end of the rotor, upon which the rotor rotates. Blood washes the unobstructed spaces between the posts to prevent the accumulation of a torus of thrombus that could enlarge excessively.

Abstract: Highly miniaturized electromechanical medical implants for certain applications cannot be fit into the available anatomic space unless their diameter can be made small enough. With devices such as rotary blood pumps or linear actuators, using rotary or linear electric motors, a thin motor stator that provides sufficient power must be encased in a corrosion resistant hermetically sealed enclosure into which electric wires must pass. Hermetic feedthroughs of the prior art are not structurally suited to maximal miniaturization with optimal electrical properties because of the need for welding of ferrules or other support components. The sub-miniature medical implants having the robust feedthrough of the present invention integrate the feedthrough wires, insulators, and sealing within a radially extending flange that is part of the end wall of the motor enclosure. This permits the largest feedthrough wire and thickest insulator to be built into the limited available space.

Abstract: A tiny electrically powered hydrodynamic blood pump is disclosed which occupies one third of the aortic or pulmonary valve position, and pumps directly from the left ventricle to the aorta or from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery. The device is configured to exactly match or approximate the space of one leaflet and sinus of valsalva, with part of the device supported in the outflow tract of the ventricular cavity adjacent to the valve. In the configuration used, two leaflets of the natural tri-leaflet valve remain functional and the pump resides where the third leaflet had been. When implanted, the outer surface of the device includes two faces against which the two valve leaflets seal when closed. To obtain the best valve function, the shape of these faces may be custom fabricated to match the individual patient's valve geometry based on high resolution three dimensional CT or MRI images.

Abstract: Rotary hydrodynamic blood pumps have been used to treat over a thousand patients. The Jarvik 2000 has supported a patient for seven years and uses blood immersed bearings washed by high flow to avoid excessive thrombus formation. This permits the pump to be very simple and small. Nonetheless, the present Jarvik 2000 bearings and all other mechanical blood immersed bearings of the prior art have a supporting structure that predisposes to thrombus adjacent to the bearings. The present invention provides a bearing structure that eliminates this predilection site for thrombus formation, and may provide indefinite thrombus free operation. The rotor of the preferred embodiment includes a tapered hub fabricated of wear resistant material supported by three posts at each end of the rotor, upon which the rotor rotates. Blood washes the unobstructed spaces between the posts to prevent the accumulation of a torus of thrombus that could enlarge excessively.

Abstract: The blood contacting surfaces of heart assist devices must avoid excessive thrombus formation, which can break off and cause thromboembolism, become infected and cause other problems. Certain textured surface coatings, such as sintered titanium microsphere coatings, form a thin layer of living cells on the surface that becomes endothelized and is highly resistant to thrombus generation. Some of these coatings require high processing temperatures. Simple thick wall conduit tubes, which do not require high precision, coated with sintered microspheres, have been used successfully as inlet cannulae. Thick wall titanium pump components have also been successfully coated with sintered microspheres, using methods to retain their shape in the furnace and avoid excessive deformation. Blood pumps or portions of blood pumps that utilize high precision components subject to damage or warping if exposed to high temperatures cannot be directly coated.

Abstract: A method for providing at least partial bypass of the heart to supplement the pumping function of the heart to thereby enable the surgeon to perform various surgical procedures thereon includes providing a circulatory assist system having a portable extracorporeal axial flow pump with a pump housing, a rotating pumping member disposed in the pump housing and inlet and outlet cannulated tubes respectively connected to inlet and outlet ports of the pump housing, accessing the patient's left atrium of the heart with the inlet cannulated tube, accessing the aorta with the outlet cannulated tube, actuating the rotating pumping member to draw oxygenated blood from the left atrium of the heart through the lumen of the inlet cannulated tube and into the inlet port of the pump housing whereby the pumping member imparts mechanical energy to the oxygenated blood passing through the pump housing and directs the oxygenated blood through the outlet port and through the lumen of the outlet cannulated tube to be transferred