Extra-pericardial module for total cardial prosthesis modules associated in a functionally indissociable unit

Claim 1

Extra-pericardial module for a total cardial prosthesis comprising two pumps, respectively representative of the right heart and the left heart and comprising the indissociable functional unit constituted of: a pericardial module adapted to be housed in the cavity of the natural heart to be replaced and enclosed in a tight envelope comprising at least three orifices for connection, adapted respectively to be connected to the right atrium, to the pulmonary artery, and to the left atrium, said orifices for connection to the right atrium and to the pulmonary artery being provided with valves in order to serve respectively as input orifice and as output orifice for a first pump housed in said envelope and adapted to perform the function of the right heart of the natural heart to be replaced; an extra-pericardial module, adapted to be housed in a physiologically neutral space in the recipient patient and to perform the function of the left heart of the natural heart to be replaced, said extra-pericardial module comprising a second pump of the type with diaphragm and thrust plate enclosed in a tight envelope, provided with an input orifice and an output orifice, each equipped with a valve; a functional link between said modules comprising at least: a first duct passing through said envelope of said pericardial module and connecting the orifice thereof corresponding to the left atrium and the input orifice of the second pump incorporated in said extra-pericardial module; a second duct establishing a gaseous communication between the sides of said first and second pumps opposite the blood passing therethrough; passages being provided inside of said envelope so that the parts of the envelope containing the mechanisms can communicate with the inside of said second duct, said first and second pumps being actuated in opposition, wherein said second pump comprises in its envelope, a tight enclosure which communicates with said input orifice and said output orifice of said second pump, and which is at least partly defined by two supple diaphragms, placed in facing relationship, and two thrust plates also in facing relationship, placed on either side of said tight enclosure in contact with a diaphragm and imparted with reciprocating back and forth movements, under the action of mechanisms disposed respectively on the side of the corresponding thrust plate opposite said tight enclosure.