Wholly implantable non-natural heart for humans

Abstract

A wholly implantable non-natural heart for humans is a double pump configuration provided with two auricles and two ventricles. Both the said auricles and ventricles are driven by solenoid actuators interacting with high energy magnets; the auricles and ventricles which are hollow chambers are provided with one-way valves in the usual manner, for the purpose of effectively and rhythmically moving blood to and from the said chambers; power generation for driving said solenoid actuators, as well as an electronic control unit is accomplished by a power generating module which could be a simple battery, a miniature spring-driven generator, a mems generator or a redundant self-sustaining generator or a combination of all of the above; the self-sustaining generator has been proposed and designed to power this present artificial heart and will be presented in a separate patent application in the near future as a follow up to this present one; the aforementioned electronic control unit is preferably configured to amplify the signals from the power generating unit as well as utilizing input / output signals from temperature and pressure sensors embedded in the heart to vary contractile force and frequency of beats, based on bodily requirements, thereby mimicking some functions of the natural heart; the electronic unit is also preferably provided with a translator chip that converts signals from the cardiac / vargus trunks (sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves) via electrodes into clear electric currents for varying actuator outputs; the heart would be implanted in the normal position in the chest, atop the diaphragm, while the electronic control unit and the power generation module would preferably be implanted behind the breastbone and lower abdomen respectively; all components of the present invention are amenable to current mass production techniques and miniaturization for the purpose of fitting into individuals of various sizes; as is clearly shown in FIG. 1, this present invention is an integral three-tiered configuration constituted of pumping unit I, the power generating unit II and the controller III. Also, as aforementioned, additional signals from the embedded temperature and pressure sensors, as well as nerve connecting electrodes are used to manipulate instantaneous outputs. The said electrodes are in the form of cuffs and are to be implanted on the vargus nerves (sympathetic and parasympathetic); Texas Instruments (TI) manufactures reliable operational and instrumentation amplifiers which can detect condition, and amplify nerve signals. The VCO in the controller uses the signals to manipulate instantaneous outputs of the actuating solenoids.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION[0001]This present invention relates to an artificial heart for humans that is wholly implantable but is specifically, one that has a self-sustaining, redundant, regenerative power supply module that does away with batteries for the purpose of supplying uninterruptible power to solenoid actuators, as well as an electronic control circuit configured in such a manner as to allow the heart to vary frequency and contractile force. The heart, power supply module and the electronic control unit can be made into various sizes such that whole implantation can be made possible in individuals of various body sizes. However, conventional batteries such as rechargeable Lithium Ion may also be employed with periodic replacements. Owing to the complex nature and size of this invention, this application will deal with only the pumping unit I, while the power generating unit II, and controller III will be follow-up applications.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Over so many decades...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]It is the primary objective of this present invention to provide a wholly implantable non-natural heart that effectively resolves the major shortcomings of the prior art. This includes as follows: (a) Amenability to miniaturization to various sizes; (b) amenability to current advanced mass production techniques; (c) ability to communicate with the brain via the nerves (sympathetic and parasympathetic); (d) power generator with true long-term reliability that is implanted in the lower abdomen where it can be removed and replaced surgically, easily if need be, without interfering with the heart; (e) Solenoid driven actuators that are easily controlled electronically; (f) an electronic control unit that can be configured in such a manner as to be able to control the solenoid actuators such that they permit the heart to change frequency and contractile force; (g) ability to use temperature and pressure sensors' signals to help vary output; (h) ability to provide functional reliability that is capable of truly prolonging human life.

Problems solved by technology

Mechanical heat valve designs do not engender true laminar flow profiles and possess little or no damping factor on closure, thereby resulting in their tendency to initiate thrombogenic activity by damaging blood cells.

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