Extracorporeal pulsatile blood pump comprised of side by side bladders

摘要

Extracorporeal blood pumping apparatus for use, for example in cardiopulmonary bypass procedures, left ventricle assist, hemodialysis and the like. The pulsatile pump apparatus may comprise an elongated driver balloon and a similar blood pumping balloon positioned side by side in a rigid casing or housing having preferably a one-way air valve. The inlet and/or outlets of both balloons are off-set and sloping ballon end portions are provided, inter alia, to minimize folding and/or rubbing during use. The driver balloon is provided with a port for coupling to a pressure-vacuum source and the blood pumping balloon is provided with an inlet port and an outlet port and both balloons are of such a cross sectional size and construction as to provide non-occlusive action by the blood pumping balloon. The one-way valve in the housing permits the reduction of deflation time of the driver balloon when it is coupled to a vacuum source, the provision of counterpulsation, prevents the introduction of gas into the blood stream in the event of a failure of the blood pumping balloon and prevents actuation of the blood pumping balloon in the event of failure of the driver balloon.