Importance

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Abstract

An electrohydraulic energy converter useful in a circulatory assist device includes a housing defining a hydraulic fluid flow path and having first and second open ends. A left diaphragm is disposed on and seals the first open end of the housing, and a right diaphragm is disposed on and seals the second open end of the housing. A reversible axial flow pump is disposed within the housing for reversibly pumping hydraulic fluid along the hydraulic fluid flow path. In another embodiment, a blood pump is provided for alternately driving left and right systole in a circulatory assist device. The blood pump includes an energy converter having left and right blood pumping elements disposed on and sealing the two open ends of the housing. In a further embodiment, the axial flow pump includes a stator, a rotor rotatably connected to the stator, several impeller blades disposed around and extending radially outward from the rotor, and a motor for imparting mechanical movement on the rotor. The impeller blades act against fluid to pump the fluid to and from the left and right blood pumping elements or diaphragms. The stator may contain several stator blades positioned on opposed sides of the impeller blades along the fluid flow path.

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First Claim