US 11,920,597 B2
Boundary layer powered circulatory assist device
Mark D. Rodefeld, Carmel, IN (US)
Assigned to Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation, Indianapolis, IN (US)
Filed by Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation, Bloomington, IN (US)
Filed on Mar. 10, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/654,321.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/159,235, filed on Mar. 10, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0290696 A1, Sep. 15, 2022
Int. Cl. F04D 13/04 (2006.01); A61M 60/122 (2021.01); A61M 60/232 (2021.01); A61M 60/35 (2021.01); A61M 60/405 (2021.01); A61M 60/416 (2021.01); F04D 1/00 (2006.01); F04D 7/04 (2006.01)
CPC F04D 13/04 (2013.01) [A61M 60/122 (2021.01); A61M 60/232 (2021.01); A61M 60/35 (2021.01); A61M 60/405 (2021.01); A61M 60/416 (2021.01); F04D 1/00 (2013.01); F04D 7/04 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for pumping fluid within a human, comprising:
operating a pumping assembly comprising a fluid motor and a fluid pump, the fluid motor including a first member being rotatable about an axis and having a first surface perpendicular to the axis, a second member being rotatable about the axis and having a second surface perpendicular to the axis, the second surface facing the first surface and being spaced apart from the first surface by a gap, the fluid pump including a first rotatable pumping element and a second rotatable pumping element, the first member and the second member being located between the first pumping element and the second pumping element, the fluid motor and the fluid pump being interconnected to rotate in unison about the axis;
providing fluid at a first pressure to the periphery of the fluid motor;
flowing the fluid from the periphery of the fluid motor toward the axis;
draining the fluid at a second pressure lower than the first pressure from a central region of the fluid motor located radially inward of the periphery; and
inducing rotation of the pumping assembly during said flowing by fluid drag on the first surface and the second surface.