Intravascular ventricular assist device

Abstract

One aspect of an intravascular ventricular assist device is an implantable blood pump where the pump includes a housing defining a bore having an axis, one or more rotors disposed within the bore, each rotor including a plurality of magnetic poles, and one or more stators surrounding the bore for providing a magnetic field within the bore to induce rotation of each of the one or more rotors. Another aspect of the invention includes methods of providing cardiac assistance to a mammalian subject as, for example, a human. Further aspects of the invention include rotor bodies having helical channels formed longitudinally along the length of the body of the rotor where each helical channel is formed between peripheral support surface areas facing radially outwardly and extending generally in circumferential directions around the rotational axis of the rotor.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to pumps usable as implantable ventricular assist devices, to components useful in such pumps, and to methods of using the same.[0002]In certain disease states, the heart lacks sufficient pumping capacity to meet the needs of the body. This inadequacy can be alleviated by providing a mechanical pump referred to as a ventricular assist device to supplement the pumping action of the heart. It would be desirable to provide a ventricular assist device which can be implanted and which can remain in operation for months or years to keep the patient alive while the heart heals, or which can remain in operation permanently during the patient's lifetime if the heart does not heal, or which can keep the patient alive until a suitable donor heart becomes available.[0003]Design of a ventricular assist device presents a daunting engineering challenge. The device must function reliably for the desired period of implantation. Moreover,...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

In certain disease states, the heart lacks sufficient pumping capacity to meet the needs of the body.

Design of a ventricular assist device presents a daunting engineering challenge.

Severe mechanical action can lead to hemolysis, or rupture of the red blood cells, with serious consequences to the patient.

Also, blood in contact with an artificial surface, such as the surfaces of a pump, tends to clot.

Balloon assist devices of this nature have numerous limitations including limited durability and limited capacity.

However, implantation of such a pump involves a majorly invasive surgical procedure.

These complex systems are susceptible to failure.

Images