Field of the Invention:-
The present invention relates to a pumping system for increasing pressure of blood or a fluid in a controlled and stepwise mode. Particularly, it relates to a pumping system for increasing pressure of blood or a fluid in each diaphragm of the system in a controlled and stepwise mode before its outflow from the system. Particularly, it relates to a pumping system for increasing pressure of blood or a fluid in each diaphragm of the system in a controlled and stepwise mode which is capable of acting as an artificial heart. Background of the Invention:-
Though medication and surgical techniques can help control symptoms of heart diseases, the only cure for heart failure is an organ transplant. In 1998, around 7,700 Americans were on the national heart transplant list but only 30% received transplants. Therefore, pumping systems [artificial hearts] and pump-assist devices have thus been developed as potential alternatives.
One such system is disclosed in US patent No. 5,458,468, wherein a pump housing divided into a driving chamber and a pumping chamber by a flexible diaphragm is provided. In accordance with this system the valves open suddenly and the fluid is directly flushed to and from the driving chamber to drive the diaphragm. The main disadvantage of such system is that fluid gushes through the valves with high force due to sudden opening of valves which has been found to cause damage to the blood cell. Further, it causes flow instabilities due to mechanical obstruction from design and manufacturing aspects.
US patent No. 4,697,989, discloses a system wherein one or more chambers are formed by a housing like body having electrically conductive surface elements and diaphragm. This system works on the principal of generating magnetic field of different intensities and polarities with electric current. In accordance with this system, on passing electric current, the surface elements of the diaphragm generate plurality of magnetic fields
2

with changing polarities and intensities which produces dynamic deflection of the diaphragm to cause movement of the fluid from the inlet to outlet of the system. The main drawback of such system of generating magnetic field of different intensities and polarities with electric current which is then utilized to produce deflection in the diaphragm of the system for causing movement of fluid from its inlet to outlet is that such systems are not suitable for handling situation of sudden compression of blood which may be caused by the diaphragm of the system itself. It has been observed that sudden compression of blood by the diaphragm of the system itself can cause blood trauma.
US patent No. 7,014,605, discloses a pulsatile blood pumping system which is based on spherical multi-vane and multi-chambered pump, wherein blood is made to flow in a pulsatile flow, that is in a rthymic contraction and relaxation phenomenon alternately increasing and decreasing the amount of flow of liquid, which is caused by an oscillating motion of vanes. The main disadvantage of such systems operating on oscillating motion is that the constant oscillating motion of the vanes has been found to cause damage to the fragile blood cells. Further, such oscillating motion may generate pressure on vanes which has been observed to cause increased chance of calcification which results in increased stiffness and difficulty in motion of the vanes. Further, in such system number of parts moving/ rotating and being in contact with blood are many, that is about fifty or more which may cause trauma.
Another system known in the art [US patent No. 6,595,762] comprises a centrifugal fluid pump including an integral impeller and a rotor supported by an integral combination of permanent magnets and electromagnetic bearings which are rotated by an integral motor. In accordance with this system, the fluid is made to flow with the help of a pump / impeller. The main drawback of this system is that it is very complicated system comprising many stress points where the pump may fail.
3

The US patent no. 6,669,726 discloses an artificial heart comprising two assembled chambers provided with respective inlet and outlet ports. The main drawback of this system is that the chambers are made of synthetic polymeric material, but are large in size, and hence, have been observed to rupture due to repeated contractions on account of its larger size.
The US patent No. 6,808,484 discloses a system comprising an aortic compression means and fluid reservoir. The system is provided with a pump means, to pump the aortic compression means at least partly in counterpulsation with the heart. The main drawback of this system is that it has been observed to cause wear and fatigue of the enclosed region of aorta, because it is subjected to constant rthymic compression by the pump leading to wear and fatigue.
Accordingly, it is understood from the forgoing description that the systems known in the prior art are either not suitable because fluid or blood is made to flow at a high force due to sudden opening of valves and hence may cause damage to the blood cells, or because the fluid or blood is made to flow from inlet to outlet of the system by dynamic deflection of the diaphragm caused by plurality of magnetic fields of different intensities and polarities generated by electric current, which has been observed to be unsuitable for handling situation of sudden compression of blood responsible for blood trauma, or because blood is made to flow in a pulsatile flow caused by constant oscillating motion of vanes which has been found to cause damage to the fragile blood cells and generate pressure on vanes which causes increased chance of calcification, or because blood is made to flow with help of centrifugal fluid pump provided with impeller and rotor motor, or because blood is made to flow by contraction of large size chambers made of synthetic polymeric material which have been observed to rupture due to repeated contractions, or because blood is made to flow by a pumping system in counterpulsation
4

with the heart which causes wear and fatigue of the enclosed region of aorta.
It has been observed that in the known systems the pumping mechanism of reciprocating [diaphragm] is energized with gases, electricity [motors, solenoids, etc.] and skeletal muscles.
Further, requirement of specific energy sources and associates converter systems, increases complexity of the overall system itself which renders the system unreliable.
Further, the size of known systems to act as artificial heart is very large which has been found to have restrictions for use on every recipient, because primarily large sized device not only exceeds available anatomical space, but also causes mobility problems for the patient and non-conductive to quality of life of the recipient.
Further, the large size and complex nature of the known systems has also been found to have problem of energy conversion.
Further, the large sized and complex natured known systems have been found to exhibit excessively high noise characteristics, vibration and recoil [thrust] levels, which will add to the discomfort and irritation of the patient.
The present inventors have found that main problem of the systems known in the prior art is that none of the known systems is capable of increasing pressure of blood from inlet of the system to outlet of the system in a controlled and stepwise mode. The present inventors have found that if the pressure of the blood or a fluid can be increased in a controlled and stepwise mode contrary to sudden increase of pressure then load on the system, which may be caused due to sudden increase of pressure of blood or fluid from inflow towards the outflow conduit will minimize which will not only increase life of the system, but will also reduce the trauma to blood cells and chances of thrombus formation. Further, the increase of pressure of blood or fluid from inlet towards outlet of the system in a controlled and stepwise mode will cause reduction in
5

load on the biventricular pump which will additionally enhance efficiency
of the pumping mechanism meaning thereby will enhance life of the
system.
Need of the Invention:-
Therefore, there is a need of providing a pumping system which is capable of increasing pressure of blood or a fluid from its inlet towards its outlet in its each diaphragm chamber in a controlled and stepwise mode so that load on the system, which may be caused due to sudden increase of pressure of blood or a fluid from inflow towards the outflow conduit is minimized to have advantages of increased life of the system, and reduced trauma to blood or fluid cells, and reduced chances of thrombus formation, and reduced load on the biventricular pump to have additional advantage of enhanced efficiency of the pumping mechanism meaning thereby to have further enhanced life of the system. Further, there is a need of the pumping system which is capable of acting as an artificial heart.. Objects and Advantages of the Invention:-
Accordingly, the main object of the present invention is to provide a pumping system which is capable of increasing pressure of blood or a fluid from its inlet towards its outlet in its each diaphragm chamber in a controlled and stepwise mode so as to have advantage of minimized load on the system which may be caused due to sudden increase of pressure of blood or fluid from its inflow towards its outflow conduit meaning thereby to have advantages of increased life of the system, and reduced trauma to blood or fluid cells, and reduced chances of thrombus formation, and reduced load on the biventricular pump to have additional advantage of enhanced efficiency of the pumping mechanism, and hence, further enhanced life of the system, wherein such system, if required is also capable of acting as an artificial heart.
Accordingly, another main object of the present invention is to provide a pumping system which is capable of acting as an artificial heart,
6

wherein two of such pumping systems are capable of acting as an artificial heart, wherein one of such system acts for left ventricle and another of such system acts for right ventricle.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a pumping system which is capable of acting as an artificial heart and capable of avoiding sudden opening of valves to avoid sudden increase of blood or fluid pressure, and hence, capable of avoiding damage to the blood or fluid cells.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a pumping system which is capable of acting as an artificial heart wherein a situation of sudden compression of blood responsible for blood trauma does not occur because the blood does not flow from inlet to outlet of the system by dynamic deflection of the diaphragm chamber caused by plurality of magnetic fields of different intensities and polarities generated by electric current.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a pumping system which is capable of acting as an artificial heart wherein blood does not flow in a pulsatile flow caused by constant oscillating motion of vanes, and hence, no damage is caused to the fragile blood cells and chances of calcification are reduced, and hence chances of increased stiffness and difficulty in motion of the vanes are reduced.
This is also an object of the present invention to provide a pumping system which is capable of acting as an artificial heart which does not comprise centrifugal fluid pump.
This is also an object of the present invention to provide a pumping system which is capable of acting as an artificial heart wherein probability of rupture of chambers due to repeated contractions does not exist.
This is also an object of the present invention to provide a pumping system which is capable of acting as an artificial heart wherein blood does not flow by a pumping system in counterpulsation with the heart, and hence, wear and fatigue of the enclosed region of aorta is avoided.
7

This is also an object of the present invention to provide a pumping system which is capable of acting as an artificial heart wherein the pumping mechanism is. not energized with gases, electricity [motors, solenoids, etc.] and skeletal muscles.
This is also an object of the present invention to provide a pumping system which is capable of acting as an artificial heart which does not require specific energy sources and associated converter systems, and hence, is simple and reliable.
This is also an' object of the present invention to provide a pumping system having compatible size to act as artificial heart, and hence it does not have restrictions for use on any recipient, mobility problems for the patient, non-conductive to quality of life of the recipient, and problems of energy conversion, high noise, vibration and recoil [thrust] levels.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with accompanying Figures, which are not intended to limit its scope. Brief Description of Accompanying Figures:
Figure 1 illustrates schematic representation of Multi-staged actuated pumping system having five interconnected chambers in accordance with one of the preferred embodiments.
Figure 2 illustrates schematic representation of plan view of Multi-staged actuated pumping system having five interconnected chambers and its functioning in accordance with one of the preferred embodiments.
Figure 3 illustrates schematic representation of vertical view of Multi-staged actuated pumping system having five interconnected chambers and its functioning in accordance with one of the preferred embodiments. Detailed Description and Preferred Embodiments of the Invention:
It has been surprisingly observed that if pressure of blood or fluid from inlet of the system to outlet of the system is increased in a controlled and stepwise mode contrary to sudden increase of pressure then load on
8

the system, which may be caused due to sudden increase of pressure of blood or fluid from its inflow towards its outflow conduit is surprisingly minimized which not only increases life of the system, but also reduces the trauma to blood or fluid cells and chances of thrombus formation, and hence overcomes problems of prior art described hereinabove. The pumping system with capability of increasing pressure of blood or fluid from its inlet towards its outlet in a controlled and stepwise mode surprisingly also causes reduction in load on the biventricular pump which additionally enhances efficiency of the pumping mechanism meaning thereby enhances life of the system.
Accordingly, the present invention relates to a pumping system wherein the pressure of blood or fluid from its inlet to its outlet is increased in a controlled and stepwise mode contrary to sudden increase of pressure which has been surprisingly found to have advantage of minimizing load on the system, which may be caused due to sudden increase of pressure of blood or fluid from its inflow towards its outflow conduit meaning thereby not only having increased life, but also having reduced trauma to blood or fluid cells and reduced chances of thrombus formation, reduced load on the biventricular pump which additionally enhances efficiency of present pumping system, and hence, enhances life of present system so as to overcome problems of prior art described hereinabove.
Accordingly, the present invention relates to a pumping system comprising a staged multi-actuated pumping means comprising a series of about two or more diaphragm chambers wherein the diaphragm chambers are interconnected, and each diaphragm chamber is capable of increasing blood or fluid pressure by a predetermined increment in a controlled and stepwise mode so that the blood or fluid entering at a lower pressure through inlet of the system is made to flow out of the outlet of the system at a higher pressure, wherein such increase in pressure is achieved in a
9

controlled and stepwise mode by allowing the blood or a fluid to pass through interconnected diaphragm chambers.
Accordingly, the present invention also relates to a pumping system capable of acting as an artificial heart comprising at least two artificial ventricular pumping systems, wherein each of said pumping system comprises a staged multi-actuated pumping means comprising a series of about two or more diaphragm chambers wherein the diaphragm chambers are interconnected, and each diaphragm chamber is capable of increasing blood pressure by a predetermined increment in a controlled and stepwise mode so that the blood entering at a lower pressure through inlet of the system is made to flow out of the outlet of the system at a higher pressure, wherein such increase in pressure is achieved in a controlled and stepwise mode by allowing the blood to pass through interconnected diaphragm chambers, wherein one of such pumping means is capable of acting for left ventricle and another of such pumping means is capable of acting for right ventricle.
In accordance with one of the preferred embodiments of this invention, the pumping means acting for left ventricle is capable of generating high pressure and the pumping means acting for right ventricle is capable of generating low pressure.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment, the pumping means is capable of acting as left ventricle assist device to boost the pressure, if the left ventricle has become weak, but not totally nonfunctional. In accordance with this embodiment the pumping means of present invention is capable of placing in series with weak left ventricle.
In accordance with one of the embodiments of the present invention, the inflow and outflow through interconnecting means of interconnected diaphragm members fuses distally with Dacron graft to allow suturing with atrial ports and the ascending aorta and pulmonary artery of the left and right ventricle respectively.
10

The functioning of presently disclosed pumping system as an artificial heart and/or as a left ventricle and/or as a right ventricle will be more apparent from the following description of constructional aspects and functional aspects of presently disclosed pumping system.
In accordance with one of the preferred embodiments of present invention, the pumping means comprises a series of five interconnected diaphragm chambers wherein each diaphragm chamber is capable of increasing blood or fluid pressure by a predetermined increment, for example by an increment of about 20 mmHg in a controlled and stepwise mode so that the blood or fluid entering at a lower pressure say of about 20 mmHg through inlet of the system is made to flow out of the outlet of the system at a higher pressure say of about 120 mmHg, wherein such increase in pressure is achieved in a controlled and stepwise mode by allowing the blood or a fluid to pass through interconnected diaphragm chambers.
It may be noted that present invention is not restricted by capability of all diaphragm chambers to increase blood or fluid pressure by an increment of about 20 mmHg. In accordance with present invention, the capability of each of diaphragm chamber to increase pressure of blood or fluid may be varied by varying its stiffness. In one embodiment of the present invention, the outflow pressure can also be increased by increasing the stiffness of the interconnected diaphragm members. Therefore, in accordance with one of the preferred embodiments of present invention, the different diaphragm chambers of the pumping system are capable of increasing pressure of blood or fluid by different increment.
The term predetermined increment as employed herein is intended to mean the value which is a feedback from implanted sensor for such purposes. Therefore, in accordance with one of the embodiments of present, the pumping system is also compatible with implanted sensors for measuring required pressure of blood or fluid.
11

In accordance with preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flow into and out of diaphragm chambers interconnected through connecting means [may also be referred a interconnecting means] is controlled by valve means which are magnetically controlled in a mode linked to the actuation of each section of the pumping means. In accordance with present invention, the magnetically controlled opening and closing of valve means in a mode linked to actuation of each section of the pumping means is gradual which has been found to have advantage of avoiding gushing of blood or fluid through the valve means, and therefore, having advantage of reduced damage to blood cells or fluid cells. It has been surprisingly observed that the damage to cells is greatly reduced on account of valve means being opened by the force from external magnetic field instead of by fluid pressure.
In accordance with present invention, the external magnetic field referred herein is generated by magnetic means provided on the rolling means which interact with magnetic means provided on the valve means.
In accordance with present invention, the external magnetic filed is not generated by electric current, which means the magnetic means provided on rolling means and valve means are not electromagnetic, and therefore, the present pumping system is suitable for handling situation of sudden compression of blood or fluid which may be caused by the diaphragm of the system itself, and hence, no trauma is caused by the diaphragm of the system itself.
In accordance with present invention, the interconnected diaphragm members are compressed and expanded in succession mode by rolling means provided on one end of the electromagnetic arm which is rotatable by a motor. The compression and expansion of the diaphragm is controlled by swing motion of the electromagnetic arm by controlling length of the controllable electromagnetic traction provided on one end of the electromagnetic arm. In accordance with present invention, the rolling
12

means and electromagnetic traction are provided on opposite ends of the electromagnetic arm.
It may be noted that the electromagnetic arm as referred herein is defined as electromagnetic arm because it comprises a controllable electromagnetic traction.
In accordance with present invention, the electromagnetic arm comprises:-
a swing arm coupled to a vertical shaft of a motor through a hinge;
a rolling means provided on one end of swing arm;
a controllable electromagnetic traction provided on another end of
swing arm which is opposite to end provided with rolling means;
a tension spring provided on middle portion of swing arm.
In accordance with present invention, the swing arm is capable of rotating in a horizontal plane and swinging about the hinge.
In accordance with present invention, the rolling means is capable of causing compression and expansion of diaphragm chambers on interaction with valve means provided at joining section of diaphragm chamber and connecting means.
In accordance with present invention, the controllable electromagnetic traction and tension spring connect the swing arm with shaft of motor in a manner that tension spring is capable of providing a counteractive force to the controllable electromagnetic traction so that swing motion of the swing arm is proportional to the current passed through the controllable electromagnet traction.
In accordance with one of the preferred embodiments of this invention, the motor is a slow speed high torque motor which is capable of achieving rotation of swing arm in horizontal plane as well as swing motion of the swing arm in up and down directions. As the motor shaft rotates, the swing arm rotates in horizontal plane, and also the swing arm swings about the hinge of the shaft in a manner that the rolling means provided with magnetic means on one end of the swing arm moves up and
13

down. The rolling means moves up when the controllable electromagnet traction reduces its length and it moves down when controllable electromagnet traction increases its length. As described herein, to avoid sudden up and down movements of the rolling means, and to avoid uncontrolled up and down movements of the rolling means, the swing arm is provided with tension spring which is capable of counteractive force to the controllable electromagnetic traction so that swing motion of the swing arm is proportional to the current passed through the controllable electromagnet traction.
When the rolling means moves up, the force exerted on to the diaphragm chamber reduces and also the diaphragm deflection reduces, thereby the pressure generated on the pumping system or the artificial heart, if the pumping system is acting as artificial heart, reduces and the output flow also reduces.
In accordance with one of the preferred embodiments of this invention, the length of the controllable electromagnet traction is controlled by electric current flowing through the electromagnet traction, wherein the up and down movement of the swing arm, and hence of the rolling means is proportional to the current passing through the electromagnet of controllable electromagnet traction. In this manner by changing the voltage applied to the motor which alters the speed of rotation of swing arm and the current through the electromagnet of the controllable electromagnet traction instant to instant control of the pressure and flow of blood or fluid flowing can be obtained so that the pressure and flow of blood or fluid are maintained matching the requirement of the patient at that point of time. Each diaphragm chamber unit produces a pulse of pressure and flow. The final pressure and flow is the time average of these pulses. If the motor speed is increased, the pulses occur with shorter time interval, and therefore, time average increases causing pressure and flow increase. If motor speed is decreased,
14

the pulses occur in greater time interval, and therefore, the time average decreases causing pressure and flow decrease.
In accordance with one of the preferred embodiments of this invention, the rolling means is also capable of rotating onto its own axis.
In accordance with preferred embodiment of the present invention, the interconnected diaphragm chambers are made of a material which is capable of withstanding pressure and large number of cyclic stress reversals and at the same is also biocompatible, preferably are made of polyurethane, but are smaller in size, and therefore, have been found to have advantage of being biocompatible in applications concerning blood or fluid and of withstanding a lot of deflections.
In accordance with one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the inflow and outflow interconnecting means of interconnected diaphragm members is made of a material which is capable of withstanding pressure and large number of cyclic stress reversals and at the same is also biocompatible, preferably made of polyurethane, but are smaller in size which is compatible with smaller size of diaphragm chambers, and therefore, have been found to have advantage of being biocompatible in applications concerning blood or fluid and of withstanding a lot of deflections.
Further embodiments and advantages of present invention will be more apparent when following description is read in conjunction with accompanying figures which are not intended to limit scope of present invention, but have been incorporated for understanding present invention and its manner of performing.
Accordingly, the present invention relates to a pumping system [Figure 1]/ suitable as an artificial heart comprising a staged multi-actuated pumping means (10) provided with a series of interconnected diaphragm chambers (11) wherein each diaphragm chamber [11] is capable of increasing blood or fluid pressure by predetermined increment in a controlled and stepwise mode so that the blood or fluid entering at a
15

lower pressure through inlet means [12] is made to flow out of the outlet means [13] at a higher pressure, which is achieved in a controlled and stepwise mode by allowing the blood or fluid to pass through the interconnected diaphragm chambers [11].
In accordance with one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, said series of interconnected diaphragm chambers (11) are two or more in number, preferably five in number if blood or fluid enters the system at a low pressure, for example at a pressure of about 20 mmHg and is required to flow out at a high pressure say of about 120 mmHg.
In accordance with present invention, the diaphragm chambers [11] interconnected in series are made of increasing stiffness from first chamber to last chamber which have been found to have advantage achieving increasing blood or fluid pressure from first chamber [1] to last chamber [5] successively. It has been observed that blood or fluid entering first diaphragm chamber at about 20 mmHg pressure is flushed out at about 40 mmHg pressure by first diaphragm chamber, and at about 60 mmHg pressure by second diaphragm chamber, and so on. Therefore, in accordance with present invention, the diaphragm chambers provided in series with increasing stiffness have been found to be capable of withstanding increasing pressure.
In accordance with present invention, the diaphragm chambers [11] are interconnected by connecting means [14] capable of allowing flow of blood or fluid from one chamber to another chamber, that is from first chamber [1] to second chamber [2] and so on.
In accordance with present invention, the pumping means further comprises an electromagnetic arm [15], which makes the blood or fluid to flow from one chamber [1] to another chamber [2] and so on.
In accordance with present invention, the electromagnetic arm [15] comprises:-
a swing arm [31] coupled to a vertical shaft [32] of a motor [16]
through a hinge [33];
16

a rolling means [19] provided on one end of swing arm [31];
a controllable electromagnetic traction [34] provided on another end
of swing arm [31] which is opposite to end provided with rolling
means [19];
a tension spring [35] provided on middle portion of swing arm [31].
In accordance with present invention, the swing arm [31] is capable of rotating in a horizontal plane as illustrated by arrow [36] and swinging about the hinge as illustrated by arrow [37].
In accordance with present invention, the controllable electromagnetic traction [34] and tension spring [35] connect the swing arm [31] with shaft [32] of motor [16] in a manner that tension spring [35] is capable of providing a counteractive force to the controllable electromagnetic traction [34] so that swing motion [37] of the swing arm [31] is proportional to the current passed through the controllable electromagnet traction [34].
In accordance with present invention, the rotation of electromagnetic arm [15] is controlled by a motor [16].
In accordance with preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connecting means [14] are provided with valve means [17] for controlling flow of blood or fluid into and out of said diaphragm chambers [11] only in one direction. In accordance with present invention, the valve means [17] are provided with magnetic means [18] for magnetically controlling opening and closing of the valve means [17] in a mode linked to the actuation of each section of the pumping means [10], and hence, are capable of operating on interaction with magnetic means [20] provided on the rolling means [19] of the electromagnetic means [15].
In accordance with present invention, the electromagnetic arm [15] provided with a rolling means [19] having a magnetic means [20] which is capable of rotating on its own axis with electromagnetic arm [15] from one end of a chamber [11] towards another end of said chamber [11], that is from one end of chamber to its another end, which has been found to have
17 '

advantage of reducing not only wear and tear of diaphragm chambers as well as electromagnetic arm, but also minimizing energy losses.
In accordance with present invention, the rolling means [19] is capable of causing compression and expansion of diaphragm chambers [11] on interaction with valve means [17] provided at joining section of diaphragm chamber [11] and connecting means [14].
In accordance with preferred embodiment of the invention, the blood or fluid is made to flow into the present system through an inlet means [12] in chamber [1] at a pressure, say at a pressure of about 20 mmHg. The electromagnetic arm [15] provided with a rolling means [19] having a magnetic means [20] is made to rotate from one end of chamber [1] towards another end of chamber [1] in a direction indicated by arrow [21] which makes the blood or fluid to flow from chamber [1] to connecting means [14] provided between chamber [1] and chamber [2] via magnetically opening and closing of valve means [18].
In accordance with preferred embodiment of the present invention, the movement of electromagnetic arm [15] over chamber [1] is capable of increasing pressure of blood or fluid from previous pressure of about 20 mmHg to an increased pressure, say a pressure of about 40 mmHg. Accordingly, the blood or fluid which entered the chamber [1] at a lower pressure of about 20 mmHg enters the connecting means [14] provided between chamber [1] and chamber [2] at a higher pressure of about 40 mmHg. The continuous movement of electromagnetic arm [15] over the connecting means [14] provided between chamber [1] and chamber [2] makes the blood or fluid to enter the chamber [2]. The further and continuous movement of electromagnetic arm [15] over chamber [2] is capable of increasing pressure of blood or fluid from about 40 mmHg to further higher pressure say to a pressure of about 60 mmHg. Accordingly, the blood or fluid which entered the chamber [2] at a lower pressure of about 40 mmHg enters the connecting means [14] provided between chamber [2] and chamber [3] at a further higher pressure of about 60
18

mmHg. In accordance with present invention, the mechanism is repeated in a controlled and stepwise manner to achieve blood or fluid flowing out of the staged multi-actuated pumping means through outlet means [13] at a desired higher pressure say at a pressure of about 120 mmHg.
In accordance with preferred embodiment the pressure of blood or fluid does not get disturbed when passing through a connecting means [14].
The present invention is now described with the help of following example which is not intended to limit its scope. Example:
During experimental studies, it has been observed that the interconnected diaphragm chambers (11) are capable of increasing blood or fluid pressure by a predetermined increment, which can vary for each diaphragm chamber during the course of rotation of the electromagnetic arm by swing movement of the electromagnetic arm, that is by up and down movement of electromagnetic arm.
For example, each diaphragm has been found to be capable of increasing blood pressure by an increment of about 20 mmHg in a controlled and stepwise mode. For experimental studies, the present system was made comprising five [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] interconnected diaphragm chambers (11), wherein the blood was made to enter at a lower pressure of about 20 mmHg through inlet means [12] which was found to flow out of the outlet means [13] at a higher pressure of about 120 mmHg, and such increase in pressure was achieved in a controlled and stepwise mode by allowing the blood to pass through all five [1, 2, 3, 4 and 5] interconnected diaphragm chambers [11].
Accordingly, it is understood from the foregoing description that the blood or fluid entering the present system at a low pressure say at a pressure of about 20 mmHg comes out at a higher pressure say at a pressure of about 120 mmHg, which is increased in a controlled and a
19

stepwise mode preferably with increment of about 20 mmHg at each step of movement from one chamber to another chamber.
It may be noted that present invention is not restricted by providing a system having interconnected chambers capable of increasing blood or fluid pressure by increment of about 20 mmHg.
The presently disclosed pumping system has been described being suitable as an artificial heart. However, the present pumping system has also been found to be suitable as a pumping system suitable for pumping any fluid required to be pumped at an increased pressure.
Accordingly, in one embodiment, the present invention also provides a pumping system having one or more chambers, preferably two or more chambers capable of increasing pressure of a fluid passing through the system in a controlled and stepwise mode.
20

We Claim:
1. A pumping system comprising a staged multi-actuated pumping
means comprising a series of two or more diaphragm chambers
wherein said diaphragm chambers are interconnected, and each
diaphragm chamber is capable of increasing blood or fluid pressure
by a predetermined increment in a controlled and stepwise mode so
that the blood or fluid entering at a lower pressure through inlet of
the system is made to flow out of the outlet of the system at a higher
pressure, wherein such increase in pressure is achieved in a
controlled and stepwise mode by allowing the blood or a fluid to
pass through interconnected diaphragm chambers.
2. A pumping system capable of acting as an artificial heart comprising
at least two artificial ventricular pumping systems, wherein each of
said pumping system comprises a staged multi-actuated pumping
means comprising a series of two or more diaphragm chambers
wherein said diaphragm chambers are interconnected, and each
diaphragm chamber is capable of increasing blood pressure by a
predetermined increment in a controlled and stepwise mode so that
the, blood entering at a lower pressure through inlet of the system is
made to flow out of the outlet of the system at a higher pressure,
wherein such increase in pressure is achieved in a controlled and
stepwise mode by allowing the blood to pass through interconnected
diaphragm chambers, wherein one of such pumping means is
capable of acting for left ventricle and another of such pumping
means is capable of acting for right ventricle.
3. A pumping system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pumping
means acting for left ventricle is capable of generating high pressure
and said pumping means acting for right ventricle is capable of
generating relatively low pressure.
21

4. A pumping system as claimed in claim 1, wherein pumping means
is capable of acting as left ventricle assist device to boost the
pressure, and is capable of placing in series with left ventricle.
5. A pumping system as claimed in any of preceding claims, wherein
said diaphragm chambers are five in number.
6. A pumping system as claimed in any of preceding claims, wherein
said diaphragm chambers are made of increasing stiffness from first
chamber to last chamber.
7. A pumping system as claimed in any of preceding claims, wherein
said different diaphragm chambers are capable of increasing
pressure of blood or fluid by different increment.
8. A pumping system as claimed in any of preceding claims, wherein
said diaphragm chambers are interconnected by connecting means
capable of allowing flow of blood or fluid from one chamber to
another chamber.
9. A pumping system as claimed in any of preceding claims, wherein
said pumping means further comprises an electromagnetic arm.
10. A pumping system as claimed in any of preceding claims, wherein
said electromagnetic arm comprises:-
a swing arm coupled to a vertical shaft of a motor through a
hinge;
a rolling means provided on one end of swing arm;
a controllable electromagnetic traction provided on another
end of swing arm which is opposite to end provided with
rolling means;
a tension spring provided on middle portion of swing arm.
11. A pumping system as claimed in any of preceding claims, wherein
said swing arm is capable of rotating in a horizontal plane and
swinging about the hinge.
12. A pumping system as claimed in any of preceding claims, wherein
said controllable electromagnetic traction and tension spring
22

connect the swing arm with shaft of motor in a manner that tension spring is capable of providing a counteractive force to the controllable electromagnetic traction.
13. A pumping system as claimed in any of preceding claims, wherein
rotation of said electromagnetic arm is controlled by said motor.
14. A pumping system as claimed in any of preceding claims, wherein
said connecting means are provided with valve means for controlling
flow of blood or fluid into and out of said diaphragm chambers.
15. A pumping system as claimed in any of preceding claims, wherein
said valve means are provided with magnetic means for magnetically
controlling opening and closing of said valve means in a mode
linked to actuation of each section of said pumping means.
16. A pumping system as claimed in any of preceding claims, wherein
said rolling means having magnetic means is capable of rotating on
its own axis with said electromagnetic arm from one end of said
chamber towards another end of said chamber.
17. A pumping system as claimed in any of preceding claims, wherein
said rolling means is capable of causing compression and expansion
of said diaphragm chambers on interaction with said valve means
provided at joining section of said diaphragm chamber and
connecting means.
18. A pumping system as claimed in any of preceding claims, wherein
said motor is a slow speed high torque motor.
19. A pumping system as claimed in any of preceding claims, wherein
said diaphragm chambers are made of a material which is capable
of withstanding pressure and large number of cyclic stress reversals
and is biocompatible.
20. A pumping system as claimed in any of preceding claims, wherein
said interconnecting means are made of a material which is capable
of withstanding pressure and large number of cyclic stress reversals
and is biocompatible.
23

21. A pumping system as claimed in any of preceding claims, wherein
said pumping system is compatible with implanted sensors for
measuring required pressure of blood or fluid.
22. A pumping system substantially as herein described with reference
to and as illustrated in the accompanying figures.
Dated this 7th day of December, 2006.

[Dr. Ramesh Kr. MEHTA]
Patent Attorney For the APPLICANTS
Mehta & Mehta Associates
24
A pumping system comprising a staged multi-actuated pumping means comprising a series of two or more diaphragm chambers is provided, wherein the diaphragm chambers are interconnected, and each diaphragm chamber is capable of increasing blood or fluid pressure by a predetermined increment in a controlled and stepwise mode so that the blood or fluid entering at a lower pressure through inlet of the system is made to flow out of the outlet of the system at a higher pressure, wherein such increase in pressure is achieved in a controlled and stepwise mode by allowing the blood or a fluid to pass through interconnected diaphragm chambers.