Patent ID: 8070668

Claim:
A process for controlling the pressure profile of air released by a drive unit to inflate an inflatable bladder of an implantable left ventricular assist device pump comprising: providing the drive unit in fluid communication with the inflatable bladder of the left ventricular assist device pump by way of an interconnect line having an internal diameter; periodically releasing air from the drive unit to inflate the pump to a peak pressure; and limiting the peak pressure to less than 160 millimeters mercury by opening less than all of a plurality of parallel valves intermediate between said interconnect line and the inflatable bladder of the left ventricular assist device pump at an onset of the periodic release of air so as to control the pressure profile of air released by the drive unit to inflate the pump, wherein air flows through at least two valves of said plurality of valves from the drive unit to the inflatable bladder during said periodic release of air.