Diaphragm assembly for a pulsatile fluid pump
Inventors
Vincent, Douglas E. • Koenig, George • Poitras, James W. • Murphy, Matthew J.
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-11236741-B1
Publication Date
2022-02-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
A diaphragm assembly for a pulsatile fluid pump includes an edge-mounted flexible diaphragm, the diaphragm configured for operation cyclically between a diastole mode and a systole mode. The diaphragm assembly further includes a systolic distribution brace having an interior wall configured to cup a portion of the outside surface of the diaphragm, and a diastolic plate, embedded in the diaphragm, mechanically coupled to a portion of the inside surface of the diaphragm. In the course of the systole mode, force is applied across the maximum radial extent of the systolic distribution brace, so as to impart tension in the diaphragm around the periphery of the systolic distribution brace. In the course of the diastole mode, force is applied across the maximum radial extent of the diastolic plate, so as to impart tension in the diaphragm around the diastolic plate.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a diaphragm assembly for a pulsatile fluid pump. An edge-mount flexible diaphragm is configured for motion cyclically in an axial direction between a diastole mode and a systole mode, with an inside surface for contacting a fluid to be pumped and an outside surface exposed to ambient air. The diaphragm assembly includes a systolic distribution brace and a diastolic plate that are mechanically linked to the diaphragm to control how forces are applied across different radial extents over the pumping cycle.
A systolic distribution brace has a maximum radial extent and an interior wall configured to cup a portion of the outside surface of the diaphragm. A diastolic plate is embedded in the diaphragm, has a maximum radial extent, and is mechanically coupled to a portion of the inside surface of the diaphragm. The systolic distribution brace and the diastolic plate have differing maximum radial extents, and the systolic distribution brace is configured to embrace a majority of an axial extent of the diastolic plate.
During the course of the systole mode, the diaphragm overhangs the periphery of the systolic distribution brace, and force is applied across the maximum radial extent of the systolic distribution brace to impart tension in the diaphragm around the periphery of the systolic distribution brace. During the course of the diastole mode, force is applied across the maximum radial extent of the diastolic plate to impart tension in the diaphragm around the diastolic plate. The differing radial extents produce differing distributions of force on the diaphragm over the course of these two modes to distribute stress on the diaphragm and reduce strain on the diaphragm over the course of a pumping cycle.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim clm-00001 includes four main inventive elements and a functional relationship: an edge-mounted flexible diaphragm cyclically moving axially between diastole and systole, a systolic distribution brace with a larger maximum radial extent, an embedded diastolic plate with a smaller maximum radial extent, and differing radial extents that produce different force distributions to distribute stress and reduce strain over a pumping cycle.
Diastole-systole edge-mount cyclic diaphragm
An edge-mount flexible diaphragm having an inside surface for contacting a fluid to be pumped, an outside surface exposed to ambient air, wherein the diaphragm is configured for motion cyclically in an axial direction between a diastole mode and a systole mode.
Systolic distribution brace with larger periphery radial extent
A systolic distribution brace having a maximum radial extent and having an interior wall configured to cup a portion of the outside surface of the diaphragm, wherein the maximum radial extent of the systolic distribution brace at its periphery is greater than the maximum radial extent of the diastolic plate, and wherein the systolic distribution brace is configured to embrace a majority of an axial extent of the diastolic plate.
Embedded diastolic plate with smaller radial extent applying diastolic tension
A diastolic plate, embedded in the diaphragm, having a maximum radial extent and mechanically coupled to a portion of the inside surface of the diaphragm.
Differing radial extents to distribute stress and reduce strain over the pumping cycle
The systolic distribution brace, the diastolic plate, and the diaphragm are mechanically linked so that, in the course of the systole mode, the diaphragm overhangs the periphery of the systolic distribution brace and force is applied across the maximum radial extent of the systolic distribution brace to impart tension in the diaphragm around the periphery of the systolic distribution brace, and in the course of the diastole mode, force is applied across the maximum radial extent of the diastolic plate to impart tension in the diaphragm around the diastolic plate, wherein the differing radial extents produce differing distributions of force on the diaphragm over the course of these two modes to distribute stress on the diaphragm and reduce strain on the diaphragm over the course of a pumping cycle.
The claim set primarily covers a mechanically linked diaphragm–brace–plate system that uses differing maximum radial extents between a systolic distribution brace and an embedded diastolic plate to create different force distributions in diastole versus systole, thereby distributing stress and reducing diaphragm strain over a pumping cycle.
Stated Advantages
Distributes stress on the diaphragm.
Reduces strain on the diaphragm over the course of a pumping cycle.
Increases usable life.
Documented Applications
Pulsatile fluid pump diaphragm assembly for pumping a fluid.
Integrated diaphragm/pump assembly configurations including pump-valving assembly.
Interested in licensing this patent?