Blood pump device and method of producing

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a blood pump device which comprises a blood pump having blood transport ports and cannulae connected to the ports. The blood pump device also comprises a coating material covering the junction between the inner surfaces of the ports and cannulae. This forms a smooth transition so blood can flow unimpeded therefrom and collection cavities for the blood are eliminated. The invention is also related to a method of producing a smooth coating. The present invention is a blood pump device comprising a second portion having a stator mechanism and a rotor mechanism disposed adjacent to and driven by the stator mechanism. The second portion has a journal disposed about the rotor mechanism to provide support therewith. The second portion has an impeller disposed in the chamber and a one-piece seal member for sealing about a shaft of the impeller. The seal member is fixedly attached to the journal so that the seal member is supported by the journal. The present invention is also related to means for providing power to the blood pump so that blood can be pumped through a cannulae. The providing means includes a controller having means for sensing pump failure and an output terminal for actuating a safety occluder in an event of pump failure. Preferably, there is a safety occluder device disposed about the cannulae and in communication with the output terminal. Preferably, the blood pump comprises a motor having stator mechanism and a rotor mechanism driven by the stator mechanism. The sensing means comprises means for determining back electromagnetic force within the stator mechanism. Preferably, the controlling means has means for providing signals indicate of stator current and rotor speed, respectively. The providing means is in communication with the means for determining back electromagnetic force in the stator mechanism.

1 . A blood pump device comprising: 
 a blood pump having a blood transport port;    a cannulae connected to the port; and    a coating material covering a junction between inner surfaces of the port and cannulae so that a smooth transition surface is formed so blood can flow smoothly therefrom and collection areas for the blood are eliminated.    
   
   
       2 . A device as described in  claim 1  wherein the coating material is comprised of polyurethane.  
   
   
       3 . A method of producing a smooth transition junction coating between a blood pump and a cannulae comprising the steps of: 
 connecting a cannulae to a port of a blood pump; and    applying a coating material to cover a junction between inner surface of the port and cannulae so that a smooth transition surface is formed so blood can flow smoothly therefrom and collection areas for the blood are eliminated.    
   
   
       4 . A method as described in  claim 3  wherein the applying step includes the steps of injecting coating material through the cannulae about the junction and rotating the port and cannulae to evenly distribute the coating about the junction.  
   
   
       5 . A method as described in  claim 4  wherein during the rotating step, there is the step of circulating a fluid through the cannulae past the junction to carry away solvent gases formed during curing of the coating material.  
   
   
       6 . A method as described in  claim 5  wherein the rotating step includes the step of spinning the port and cannulae with a motor device during curing of the coating material.  
   
   
       7 . A blood pump device comprising: 
 a first portion having a chamber and an inlet and outlet port in fluidic communication with the chamber; and    a second portion having a stator mechanism and a rotor mechanism disposed adjacent to and driven by the stator mechanism, said second portion having a journal disposed about the rotor mechanism to provide support therewith, said second portion having an impeller disposed in the chamber and a one-piece seal member for sealing about a shaft of the impeller, said seal member fixedly attached to said journal so that the seal member is supported by the journal.    
   
   
       8 . A blood pump as described in  claim 7  wherein said rotor having a rotor post connected to the impeller shaft and having an end adjacent to the seal member, said end having rounded edges to prevent abutment against any adhesive material disposed between the seal member and the journal.  
   
   
       9 . A device as described in  claim 8  wherein the journal has a surface adjacent to the rotor which has been polished to a surface finish of less than 2.54 μm for enhanced durability.  
   
   
       10 . A device as described in  claim 9  wherein the rotor has an outer surface which has been polished to a surface finish of 2.54 μm.  
   
   
       11 . A device as described in  claim 10  wherein the seal member comprises a coating surrounding and sealing its outer surface.  
   
   
       12 . A device as described in  claim 11  wherein the rotor comprises a rust-proof coating disposed on its outer surface.  
   
   
       13 . A blood pump device comprising: 
 a first portion having a chamber and an inlet and outlet port in fluidic communication with the chamber; and    a second portion having a stator mechanism and a rotor mechanism disposed adjacent to and driven by the stator mechanism, said second portion having a journal disposed about the rotor mechanism to provide support therewith, said second portion having an impeller disposed in the chamber, said second portion having an infusion port for providing lubricant material about the rotor, said infusion port having an inner diameter greater than 0.05 inches for minimizing pressure needed to introduce lubricant material into the blood pump.    
   
   
       14 . A device as described in  claim 13  wherein said second portion having a barbed tubing connector attached directly into a housing member of the second portion in direct fluid communication with the infusion port.  
   
   
       15 . A device as described in  claim 14  wherein the infusion port is polished to a surface finish of less than 2.54 μm.  
   
   
       16 . An improved blood pump device comprising: 
 a first portion having a chamber and an inlet and outlet port in fluidic communication with the chamber; and    a second portion having a stator mechanism and a rotor mechanism disposed adjacent to and driven by the stator mechanism, said second portion having a journal disposed about the rotor mechanism to provide support therewith, said second portion having an impeller disposed in the chamber, said stator comprised of a thermally conductive epoxy material to efficiently transmit heat to surrounding tissues about the blood pump.    
   
   
       17 . A device as described in  claim 16  wherein the second portion comprises an environmentally sealed connector for attaching a power wire to the stator mechanism.  
   
   
       18 . A device as described in  claim 17  wherein the stator has a coating sealing its outer surface.  
   
   
       19 . A blood pump device comprising: 
 a blood pump; and    means for providing power to the blood pump so that blood can be pumped through a cannulae, said providing means comprising a controller having means for sensing pump failure and an output terminal for actuating a safety occluder in an event of pump failure.    
   
   
       20 . A device as described in  claim 19  including a safety occluder device disposed about the cannulae and in communication with the output terminal.  
   
   
       21 . A device as described in  claim 20  wherein the blood pump comprises a motor having stator mechanism and a rotor mechanism driven by the stator mechanism, said sensing means comprises means for determining back electromagnetic force within the stator mechanism.  
   
   
       22 . A device as described in  claim 21  wherein said controlling means having means for providing signals indicate of stator current and rotor speed, respectively, said providing means in communication with the means for determining back electromagnetic force in the stator mechanism.  
   
   
       23 . A device as described in  claim 22  including means for supplying lubricant to the motor, said supplying means in fluidic communication with the blood pump, said controlling means having means for measuring lubricant pressure.  
   
   
       24 . A device as described in  claim 23  wherein the power providing means comprises a modular driver unit remote from said pump and in communication therewith.  
   
   
       25 . A device as described in  claim 24  wherein the controlling means comprises means for adjusting speed of the motor mechanism with a greater than 5% accuracy.  
   
   
       26 . A device as described in  claim 25  wherein the controlling means comprises a display mechanism for providing values of stator current, rotor speed and lubricant pressure.  
   
   
       27 . A pumping system for fluid comprising: 
 a sensorless pump for moving the fluid; and    a controller connected to the pump for controlling the pump so a desired flow rate of fluid can be maintained by the pump.