Pump driving unit for driving a pump used for supporting or substitution of cardiac function

Abstract

In a small sized pump driving unit, a fluid pump is used for driving the pump for supporting of substituting of cardiac function. The fluid pump can generates pressure fluctuations that can generate pulsation of the pump for supporting or substituting of cardiac function and produces sufficient performance to drive the pump unit.

What we claim is:  
     
         1 . A pump driving unit for driving a pump used for supporting or substitution of cardiac function, comprising a fluid pump which is driving source of the pump used for supporting or substitution of cardiac function.  
     
     
         2 . A pump driving unit for driving a pump used for supporting or substituting of cardiac function as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the pump used for supporting or substituting of cardiac function is a blood pump.  
     
     
         3 . A pump driving unit for driving a pump used for supporting or substituting of cardiac function as se forth in  claim 1 , wherein the pump used for supporting or substituting of cardiac function is a balloon pump.  
     
     
         4 . A pump driving unit for driving a pump used far supporting or substituting of cardiac function as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the fluid pump comprises an impeller turbine which is able to rotate in two directions.  
     
     
         5 . A pump driving unit for driving a pump used for supporting or substituting of cardiac function comprising: 
 an isolator forming therein a first space, and a second space divided from the first space by a flexible member, said second space connected to the pump used for supporting or substituting of cardiac function, wherein a fluid pump is connected to the first space so as to supply a fluid media therein to the first space or to suck a fluid media in the first space; and    a control unit adapted for controlling an operation of the fluid pump.    
     
     
         6 . A pump driving unit far driving a pump used for supporting or substituting of cardiac function as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the pump used for supporting or substituting of cardiac function is a blood pump.  
     
     
         7 . A pump driving unit for driving a pump used for supporting or substituting of cardiac function as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the pump used for supporting or substituting of cardiac function is a balloon pump.  
     
     
         8 . A pump driving unit for driving a pump used for supporting or substituting of cardiac function as set forth in  claim 7 , further comprising a pressure maintaining valve disposed between the second space and the pump used for supporting or substituting of cardiac function.  
     
     
         9 . A driving unit for driving a pump used for supporting or substituting of cardiac function as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein helium gas is filled in a volume between the second space and the pump used for supporting or substituting of cardiac function.  
     
     
         10 . A pump driving unit for driving a pump used for supporting or substituting of cardiac function as set forth in  claim 9 , further comprising means for helium gas supply to the balloon pump, the means for helium gas supply being connected between the second space and the balloon pump via an intake and exhaust valve.  
     
     
         11 . A pump driving unit for driving a pump used for supporting or substituting of cardiac function as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the fluid pump comprises an impeller turbine which is able to rotate in two directions, and a fluid is supplied to the first space when the impeller turbine is driven in a negative direction.  
     
     
         12 . A pump driving unit for driving a pump used for supporting or substituting of cardiac function as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the fluid pump comprises an impeller turbine which is able to rotate in two directions, and a fluid in the first space is sucked into the fluid pump when the impeller turbine is driven in a positive direction.  
     
     
         13 . A pump driving unit for driving a pump used for supporting or substituting of cardiac function as set forth in  claim 5 , further comprising a first pressure sensor arranged at the first space, and a second pressure sensor arranged at the second space.  
     
     
         14 . A pump driving unit for driving a pump used for supporting or substitution of cardiac function, comprising: 
 a bidirectional fluid pump; and    means for operating the pump used for supporting or substitution of cardiac function based on a speed and direction of operation of said fluid pump.    
     
     
         15 . A pump driving unit for driving a pump used for supporting or substitution of cardiac function, comprising: 
 a bidirectional fluid pump driven by a motor;    a fluid isolator having two spaces separated by a diaphragm, one of said spaces receiving a fluid pressure from said fluid pump, the other of said spaces being fluidically connected to the pump used for supporting or substitution of cardiac function; and    a controller which controls a speed and direction of operation of the motor driving said fluid pump based on a fluid pressure in at least one of said spaces.    
     
     
         16 . A pump driving unit for driving a pump used for supporting or substituting of cardiac function as set forth in  claim 15 , further comprising a first pressure sensor arranged at the first space, and a second pressure sensor arranged at the second space.  
     
     
         17 . In a pump driving unit for driving a pump used for supporting or substitution of cardiac function, the pump driving unit comprising a bidirectional fluid pump driven by a motor, and a fluid isolator having two spaces separated by a diaphragm, one of said spaces receiving a fluid pressure from said fluid pump, the other of said spaces being fluidically connected to the pump used for supporting or substitution of cardiac function, a method for driving the pump used for supporting or substitution of cardiac function, the method comprising the steps of: 
 determining a fluid pressure in at least one of said spaces; and    controlling a speed and direction of operation of the motor driving said fluid pump based on the determined fluid pressure.