Actuator for a heart assist device
An actuator ( 10 ) for a heart assist device. The actuator ( 10 ) includes an inflatable balloon ( 12 ) and a shroud or wrap ( 14 ). The inflatable balloon ( 12 ) has a first body portion ( 22 ), a second body portion ( 26 ) and a flexure region joining ( 24 ) the first ( 22 ) and second ( 26 ) body portions. The shroud or wrap ( 14 ) is positioned adjacent the first body portion ( 24 ) and has a peripheral extent at least equal to the peripheral extent of the balloon flexure region ( 24 ). The balloon ( 12 ) and the shroud or wrap ( 14 ) are shaped such that the shroud or wrap ( 14 ) restrains a part of the balloon first body portion ( 22 ) at or near the flexure region ( 24 ) against displacement towards the shroud or wrap (outward displacement) past a predetermined limit but allows unrestrained displacement away from the shroud or wrap (inward displacement).
1. An actuator for a heart assist device, the actuator comprising:
(a) a restraint component comprising a hole; and
(b) a flexible balloon comprising:
(i) a tubular neck portion disposed through the hole in the restraint component;
(ii) a first body portion coupled to the neck portion, wherein the first body portion is unattachedly disposed adjacent to the restraint component;
(iii) a second body portion; and
(iv) a flexure portion coupled to the first body portion and the second body portion,
wherein the flexible balloon comprises an inflated configuration in which a length of the first body portion is in contact with the restraint component and an deflated configuration in which at least a portion of the length of the first body portion is displaced inwardly away from the restraint component.
2. The actuator of claim 1 , wherein the restraint component comprises a shroud or a wrap.
3. The actuator of claim 1 , wherein the restraint component comprises a wrap configured to be disposed around the flexible balloon and an exterior of a patient's arterial vessel.
4. The actuator of claim 1 , wherein the flexible balloon is formed from silicone, polyurethane, or a polyurethane-polysiloxane block copolymer.
5. The actuator of claim 1 , further comprising a bushing disposed within and extending from the tubular neck portion of the flexible balloon, the bushing comprising a bore, wherein the bushing is configured to be coupleable to a fluid line.
6. The actuator of claim 5 , wherein the bore comprises at least one internal projection disposed within the bore.
7. The actuator of claim 6 , wherein the at least one internal projection comprises at least one flute, at least one rib, or at least one secondary lumen.
8. The actuator of claim 1 , wherein the heart assist device is an extra-aortic counterpulsation heart assist device.
9. The actuator of claim 1 , wherein the restraint component is disposed against an exterior portion of the tubular neck portion of the flexible balloon, thereby resulting in a snug sealing fit between the restraint component and the tubular neck portion.
10. The actuator of claim 1 , wherein the flexure portion has a radius of curvature of at least 0.1 mm in the inflated configuration.
11. The actuator of claim 1 , wherein the flexible balloon has a thickness ranging from about 150 microns to about 300 microns.
12. An actuator for a heart assist device, the actuator comprising:
(a) a flexible balloon comprising:
(i) a tubular neck portion;
(ii) a first body portion coupled to the neck portion;
(iii) a second body portion; and
(iv) a flexure portion coupled to the first body portion and the second body portion,
wherein the flexible balloon comprises an inflated configuration in which a length of the first body portion is in contact with the restraint component and an deflated configuration in which at least a portion of the length of the first body portion is displaced inwardly away from the restraint component; and
(b) a bushing disposed within and extending from the tubular neck portion of the flexible balloon, the bushing comprising a bore, wherein the bushing is configured to be coupleable to an external fluid line.
13. The actuator of claim 12 , further comprising a restraint component comprising a hole, wherein the restraint component is a shroud or a wrap.
14. The actuator of claim 13 , wherein the restraint component is a wrap configured to be disposed around the flexible balloon and an exterior of a patient's arterial vessel.
15. The actuator of claim 13 , wherein the restraint component is disposed against an exterior portion of the tubular neck portion of the balloon, thereby resulting in a snug sealing fit between the restraint component and the tubular neck portion.
16. The actuator of claim 12 , wherein the balloon is formed from silicone, polyurethane, or a polyurethane-polysiloxane block copolymer.
17. The actuator of claim 12 , wherein the bore comprises at least one internal projection disposed within the bore.
18. The actuator of claim 17 , wherein the at least one internal projection comprises at least one flute, at least one rib, or at least one secondary lumen.
19. The actuator of claim 12 , wherein the heart assist device is an extra-aortic counterpulsation heart assist device.