Patent ID: 6302661
Filing Date: 2001-10-16
Classification: A61M,F04D,F05B,Y10S

Abstract:
Apparatus for pumping sensitive biological fluids comprising:a construct having an exterior, a hollow interior having walls therein, and an axial center;an inlet formed from the construct exterior for passage of fluids therethrough and into the hollow interior of the construct;an outlet formed from the construct exterior for passage of fluids therethrough from the hollow interior of the construct, the outlet radially located from the axial center of the construct;an impeller means disposed within the hollow interior of the construct and out of contact therewith for controlling fluid flow into the inlet, through the hollow interior of the construct, and out of the outlet, the impeller means having arcuate blades and arcuate passageways whereby fluid flow through the construct is gradually redirected from the inlet to the outlet;a magnetic means for suspending the impeller means out of contact with the hollow interior of the construct, said magnetic means providing control over five degrees of freedom of motion of the impeller means, including (i) one axial translational axis, (ii) two radial translational axes, and (iii) two rotational axes controlled for moment, wherein at least one of the five axes controlled for moment, axial translation, and radial translation is controlled by a set of electromagnetic actuators in the construct positioned to cooperate only with a corresponding set of non-permanently magnetized magnetic material in the impeller means; anda motor means for selectively rotating the impeller means to thereby control fluid flowing through the apparatus.