Abstract: A magnetic coupling system and a method of balancing a magnetic coupler are provided. The magnetic coupling system includes a follower magnet magnetically coupled to a drive magnet, and a magnetic balancing component located to a side of the follower magnet. Movement of the drive magnet induces corresponding movement of the follower magnet. The magnetic balancing component and the drive magnet exert attractive magnetic forces on the follower magnet in opposite directions.

Abstract: Thermal management solutions for wireless power transfer systems are provided, which may include any number of features. In one embodiment, an implantable wireless power receiver includes at least one thermal layer disposed on an interior surface of the receiver configured to conduct heat from a central portion of the receiver towards edges of the receiver. The thermal layer can comprise, for example, a copper layer or a ceramic layer embedded in an acrylic polymer matrix. In some embodiments, a plurality of thermal channels can be formed within the receiver to transport heat from central regions of the receiver towards edges of the receiver via free convection. In yet another embodiment, a fluid pipe can be connected to the receiver and be configured to carry heat from the receiver to a location remote from the receiver. Methods of use are also provided.

Abstract: An artificial heart, comprising an energy storage device, an actuator device and two pumping chambers, each with an inlet opening and an outlet opening, wherein each pumping chamber is bounded by at least one flexible wall and one rigid wall and the volume of each pumping chamber can is variable by deformation of the flexible wall by means of the actuator device, whereby the flexible wall, starting from a suction position in which the volume of the respective pumping chamber is at a maximum, can be converted to a pumping position in which the volume of the feed chamber is at a minimum by means of the actuator device, wherein the inlet opening and the outlet opening of each pumping chamber each have a non-return valve and the non-return valves can be reciprocally in an opened and a closed position, wherein the actuator device is located between the pumping chambers.

Abstract: A device for pumping blood, includes a housing having a distal end adapted to be coupled to a catheter, a proximal end having an outlet, and a tubular body extending between the distal and proximal ends along an axis. A rotor is rotatably disposed within the housing. A first magnetic bearing is operative to levitate the rotor along the axis within the housing. A second magnetic bearing controls a rotational frequency of the rotor. A third magnetic bearing controls a radial position of the rotor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heart prosthesis/artificial heart comprising a series of drawing and pressing devices. The prosthesis/artificial heart is to be implanted in a patient to replace the pumping activity of a heart. The heart comprises at least two compartments (5, 6, 12, 13, 25, 26, 27, 28), substantially surrounded by a rigid-wall provided house (2, 3, 31). The house contains a number of drawing and/or pressing devices (10, 48, 50), which are partly fixedly attached to the rigid-wall provided house (2, 3, 31) and are partly fixedly attached to a flexible, elastic wall layer (7, 30) arranged in a respective compartment. The drawing and/or pressing devices (10, 48, 50) are arranged to draw the elastic wall layers (7, 30) towards the rigid-wall provided house (2, 3, 31) for filling the compartments (12, 13, 27, 28).

Abstract: A pumping system 10 provides a physiological pulsatile flow and includes controller 121, a pump drive head 50 coupled to a motor 12 and a fluid housing 52 having at least one port 60. The port 60 includes a ball valve retainer region 69, a valve seat 73, and an occluder ball 71 disposed in the ball valve retainer region 69. During operation, the motor 12 forces the fluid in and out the fluid housing 52 and causes the occluder ball 71 to move from a first position whereby the fluid cannot pass through the port 60, to a second position whereby the fluid moves annular to and generally around the occluder ball 71. This movement creates a slight flow reversal that “breaks up” any blood clots that may form. The pumping system may be used as part of a cardiopulmonary bypass system, a ventricular assist device (VAD) and/or a heart pump.

Abstract: An implantable left ventricular assist device using a cylindrical cam is provided, which is produced in a compact and module form and implanted in a patient who suffers from an acute cardiac insufficiency, to thereby enable oxygen to be supplied smoothly toward the heart of the patient and reconstruct the declined function of the heart. The implantable left ventricular assist device includes an actuator for generating a linearly reciprocating driving force, a pusher plate which performs a linearly reciprocating motion by the actuator, a blood sac which is contracted and expanded due to compression by reciprocating the pusher plate and the restoration of a sac itself, and a chamber for accommodating the blood sac, the pusher plate and the actuator, combining the same physically, and protecting the same within the body of a patient.

Abstract: A magnetic spring includes a plurality of spaced-apart stationary circumferentially magnetized segments disposed along a circle about an axis to define a first plurality of spaced-apart gaps, and a plurality of spaced-apart moveable circumferentially magnetized segments disposed along the circle to define a second plurality of spaced-apart gaps. Each of the plurality of moveable magnetized segments is axially slidable within a respective one of the first plurality of gaps defined by the plurality of stationary magnetized segments. Significant applications of the magnetic spring in an actuator of a ventricle assist device (VAD) or a total artificial heart (TAH) in which stored energy in the magnetic spring is used to reduce motor power loses of an actuator during a power stroke of the VAD or TAH.