Patent US3633217A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3633217A
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Electromagnetic energy converter for pulsing an implantable blood pump
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1969-07-01
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Granted: 1972-01-11
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Expires: 1989-07-01
Abstract
Abstract In an artificial heart system suitable for permanent implantation within a human body, electrical power from an external source including a portable battery pack and a converter is transmitted across the intact chest wall through adjacent radio frequency induction coils, or a skin tunnel transformer, and converted to pulsatile blood-pumping power by means of an artificial heart package containing an electrical power conditioner and control subsystem, an electromagnetic energy converter, and the artificial ventricles and components of a blood pump. The energy converter comprises a magnetohydrodynamic solenoid which converts electrical power to alternating Lorentz forces in a low-temperature liquid metal working fluid. The alternating Lorentz hydraulic forces generated in the liquid metal are used to alternately compress the ventricles of a biventricular blood pump.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph R Lance
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:30
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M60/00; A61M60/10; A61M60/122; A61M60/196; A61M60/40; A61M60/465; A61M60/468; A61M60/126; A61M60/148; A61M60/20; A61M60/247; A61M60/253; A61M60/268; A61M60/80; A61M60/855; A61M60/89; A61M60/894
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
An electromagnetic energy converter comprising a permanent magnet member having a pair of opposed surfaces and having a slot extending therethrough from one of said surfaces to the other, a pair of flexible diaphragm means positioned respectively adjacent said surfaces and covering the ends of said slot to enclose the space formed by said slot, an electrically conducting liquid disposed within said enclosed space, a pair of spaced electrode conductors in contact with the liquid and positioned such that upon energization of said conductors a force in said liquid is created in a direction generally perpendicular to said opposed surfaces, and terminal means for supplying alternating current to said conductors to create forces in said liquid to move said liquid reciprocally and alternately toward and away from each of said diaphragm means to impart reciprocal motion to said diaphragm means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
An electromagnetic energy converter comprising a permanent magnet member having a pair of opposed surfaces and having a slot extending therethrough from one of said surfaces to the other, a pair of flexible diaphragm means positioned respectively adjacent said surfaces and covering the ends of said slot to enclose the space formed by said slot, an electrically conducting liquid disposed within said enclosed space, a pair of spaced electrode conductors in contact with the liquid and positioned such that upon energization of said conductors a force in said liquid is created in a direction generally perpendicular to said opposed surfaces, and terminal means for supplying alternating current to said conductors to create forces in said liquid to move said liquid reciprocally and alternately toward and away from each of said diaphragm means to impart reciprocal motion to said diaphragm means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The energy converter defined in claim 1, including power conversion means to supply said alternating current to said terminal means with a frequency corresponding to the beat rate of a human heart.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The energy converter defined in claim 1, including a pair of flexible ventricle means mechanically coupled to said diaphragm means, respectively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The energy converter defined in claim 1, wherein the permanent magnet member is generally cylindrical and the opposed surfaces comprises the axial surfaces of said member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The energy converter defined in claim 4, wherein the magnet member is formed from a metal and wherein said slot has an insulating coating on the surfaces thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The energy converter defined in claim 4, wherein the slot is horseshoelike in shape, and the electrode conductors extend from the ends of the slot through the outer periphery of the magnet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The energy converter defined in claim 4, wherein the diaphragm means includes a converter diaphragm attached to each axial end of the magnet member to enclose said slot.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The energy converter defined in claim 7, wherein each converter diaphragm is of a rolling-type having an annular portion aligned with said slot.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The energy converter defined in claim 7, including an insulating disclike member disposed between each converter diaphragm and the magnet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The energy converter defined in claim 9, wherein each disclike member has a slot therethrough aligned with the slot in the magnet and a recess therein receiving a portion of a converter diaphragm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The energy converter defined in claim 3, wherein each flexible ventricle means includes a diaphragm portion paired with one of the diaphragm means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The energy converter defined in claim 11, including spring means biasing one of said pair of diaphragm means and the diaphragm portion paired therewith toward the magnet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The energy converter defined in claim 11, including a heat-conducting liquid disposed between each diaphragm means and that diaphragm portion paired therewith.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-10 | 1975-07-12 | 1976-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-10 | 1979-07-12 | 1980-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-10 | 1983-07-12 | 1984-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |