Importance

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Abstract

A ventricular assist device for temporary assistance to persons with failing or damaged hearts. A container includes inlet and outlet ports to the patient's circulatory system and a pumping component. It can also include a power source, and control elements, as well as other ventricular assist components. The pumping component operates off of a power supply, consumes a low amount of power, produces good pumping efficiency, and circulates the blood in an advantageous flow pattern with minimal trauma to the blood. The pumping device utilizes a moveable tubular member in which is positioned a one-way valve. The tubular moveable member is put in fluid communication with the flow path from inlet to outlet ports of the pumping component. The tubular member is reciprocatable by, for example, a solenoid and a return spring. Pumping of the blood is accomplished by the one-way valve opening to allow a volume of blood to pass from the inlet to outlet side of the valve when the tubular members traveling towards the inlet port, and then closing to push the blood out the outlet port when the tubular member is moving in the opposite direction. A one-way flow restriction device can replace the valve.

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First Claim