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Abstract

The proposed device is a self-powered blood pumping system whose source of energy is extracted from a radioisotope emitting alpha particles and can be used in place of natural hearts. An autonomous miniaturized symmetrical and redundant nuclear-thermodynamic power plant is integrated inside a totally artificial heart formed by a double piston-cylinder assembly able to transform the heat generated by alpha emitting isotopes into mechanical energy to pump blood without need for 'extra-body' power sources. The source of heat is constituted by alpha decaying isotopes (i.e. Curium, Plutonium, Polonium, etc.), contained inside specially designed miniaturized decay heat alpha cartridges able to provide superheated vapor. This device can operate independently of external power sources for extended time duration from several months up to several years depending on which isotope is used in the cartridge. The overall blood pumping system closely imitates the behavior of the human heart by providing a pulsatile flow of blood with the same pressure variations encountered in the human cardiovascular system.

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First Claim