Catheter device comprising separation device for retaining magnetic particles contained in fluid and protection device for functional elements

Abstract

The invention relates at least to a catheter device comprising: a catheter (24) in which a rotating shaft (25) at least partially made of a magnetic material is provided; and a separation device comprising an annular body (27) around the axis of rotation, and the annular body (27) having a cavity comprising a magnet (13 ') arranged downstream of where the shaft (25) protrudes out of the conduit (24) around it with respect to the direction in which the fluid flows through the conduit.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the Chinese invention patent application with the application date of January 22, 2016, application number 202110513424.8, and invention name “Cathode device comprising a separation device for retaining magnetic particles contained in a fluid and a protective device for functional elements”; the Chinese invention patent application is a divisional application of the Chinese invention patent application with the application date of January 22, 2016, application number 201680006882.X, and invention name “Cathode device comprising a separation device for retaining magnetic particles contained in a fluid and a protective device for functional elements”. Technical Field

[0002] The invention belongs to the fields of engineering and mechanics as well as fluid technology and can be used particularly advantageously in, for example, medical technology. In particular, the invention relates to the separation of magnetic particles from fluids, especially liquids. Background Art

[0003] When conveying a fluid through a flow channel, it is generally undesirable to convey particles, for example due to wear, or particles that enter the fluid circulation in another way, together with the fluid being moved. The conveyed particles are generally of no use but only cause risks, for example by entering into moving parts, such as ball bearings, plain bearings, motors or rotors, and at least causing further wear, or braking or hindering the movement due to increased friction. This is more pronounced when the amount of fluid being moved is small and the speed of movement of the fluid is slow, such as is the case with the irrigant circulation in a catheter, which usually only moves a few milliliters of irrigant in a few minutes. The moving parts used in the environment of medical catheters are often sensitive, in which case particles entering these parts are undesirable.

[0004] In some cases, unwanted particles can be filtered out of the fluid stream by a mechanical filter (eg, fabric), but this typically results in an increase in flow resistance.

[0005] Especially in catheters that guide rapidly rotating shafts for driving functional elements such as blood pumps or vascular mills, wear debris from the shaft material has a negative impact over time. Such shafts usually consist of twisted wires, where increased losses occur due to buckling effects, especially when such shafts are driven in a curved manner and at high speeds.

[0006] Known magnetic filters are mainly used to block magnetic particles. However, these magnetic filters are usually too large for flow rates of a few milliliters per second and are not suitable for use with saline solutions or other aggressive fluids. Membrane filters usually represent too high a catheter resistance and are too large and expensive for use as disposable filters, for example. In addition, membrane filters and in particular the amount of particles accumulated therein can significantly impair the function of, for example, a flexible shaft and can even lead to the destruction of the flexible shaft. Summary of the invention

[0007] Against the background of the prior art, the object of the present application for which protective rights are claimed is to create a protective device or a catheter device or a catheter system or a separation device which allows to block magnetic particles from a fluid flow without hindering the fluid flow or without slowing down the fluid flow, wherein the separation device should also be configured to withstand aggressive fluids.

[0008] This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims.

[0009] In addition to designing a separation device, the present protective property application also relates to a catheter device having a catheter in which a rotating shaft at least partially composed of a magnetic material is arranged, and the catheter device also has a separation device comprising a ring body, which surrounds the rotating shaft and has a cavity containing a magnet, and the magnet is arranged at a downstream position relative to the flow direction of the fluid through the catheter, at which position the shaft protrudes from the catheter surrounding the shaft.

[0010] It is obvious that the separation device with the corresponding catheter device can be applied in particular in cases where wear debris of a rotating shaft in a fluid flow must be separated. For example, such catheters in medical devices are used with rapidly rotating shafts for driving functional elements such as mills for vascular or heart pumps, so that the wear debris of the shaft material that occurs is harmful to the delicately constructed and sensitive functional elements, such as relative sliding bearings. Therefore, in particular in this case, it is important to capture the wear debris of the shaft, which usually consists of twisted wires of an iron alloy or a cobalt alloy.

[0011] It should be emphasized that all separation devices disclosed in the present protective claims, whether according to the various aspects attached at the end of the description, according to the implementation of the patent claims or according to the embodiments of the drawings, all separation devices disclosed in the present protective claims as a whole themselves can be used as separation devices in the catheter device according to the present invention.

[0012] In addition, a part of the corresponding catheter device according to the present protective claim application can also be a catheter device having at least one valve for controlling the flow of fluid through the catheter, wherein the valve includes: a valve control space, from which an inlet channel with an inlet port extends, and an outlet channel with an outlet port extends; and a closing element, which can move in a controlled manner in the valve control space and close the outlet port at least in a first position, close the inlet port at at least a second position, and keep the connecting channel between the inlet port and the outlet open at at least a third position, wherein a valve drive is provided, which moves the closing element at least selectively to the first, second or third position.

[0013] The fluid can be made to flow through the delivery channel in the desired direction by suitable control or use of the valve. The fluid velocity or differential speed through the delivery channel can be set, for example, up to reversing the fluid direction, which can be usefully applied, for example, to flushing procedures.

[0014] Examples of such valve control and fluid guidance are described, for example, in the parallel ECP 45 PCT (file number not yet known) filed on the same date by the applicant ECP Ltd. Priority is also claimed from two prior applications EP 15152201.8 and EP 15152205.9. The disclosures of all three patent applications in their originally filed form are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety into the present application, becoming an integral part thereof ("incorporated by reference").

[0015] A further development envisages a conveying channel comprising a cavity and / or reservoir for intermediate storage of the particles. In this way, the cross section of the conveying channel does not decrease in size due to the accumulation of particles, which is beneficial. Therefore, the cavity and / or reservoir is designed to capture the particles under the influence of magnetic forces by the influence of a magnet, so that the corresponding particles remain at least partially, preferably mostly or completely, in the cavity or reservoir.

[0016] A further development envisages that the cavity and / or the reservoir has two ends, both of which are connected to the conveying channel in a diverting manner. The cavity and / or the reservoir has, for example, a U-shape, in which particles can be collected ("diverter channel"). Alternatively, the cavity and / or the reservoir can also have only one branch to the conveying channel, for example corresponding to a "railway siding". The two above-mentioned variants are characterized in that the flow through the conveying channel is not divided and in particular additional storage capacity for wear debris is provided. In particular, with regard to the flow in the conveying channel, none of the wear debris stored in the reservoir and / or the cavity should be carried away again through the conveying channel and added to the fluid.

[0017] A further advantageous development provides that the reservoir and / or the cavity is designed as a spatially delimited (ie confined to a certain flow length) cross-sectional enlargement in the conveyor channel.

[0018] The protective claim also relates to protective devices for functional elements. Such functional elements may be, in particular, seals or bearings (in particular ball bearings, plain bearings, needle bearings, etc.). Parts of the human or animal body that are particularly fragile and cannot be contacted by wear debris may also be considered functional elements.

[0019] The present solution is beneficial because for complex catheter devices, capturing magnetic wear debris represents an effective option to avoid magnetic wear debris entering the body. This was not foreseeable or obvious without further effort because until now, catheter devices have generally been designed to avoid wear debris completely by selecting appropriate materials, coatings and / or geometries, or by appropriately limiting parameters (such as limiting rotational speed, etc.) with the result that functional compromises must be made, or by complexly directing flushing solutions through multi-lumen catheters in an attempt to cause particle backflow from the patient, so that none of these options can avoid wear debris from the most distal bearings entering the patient.

[0020] In addition, a separation device for preventing magnetic particles in a fluid is disclosed, wherein the separation device has a transport channel in which the fluid can move in a throughflow direction, and the separation device has a magnet device, wherein the magnet device comprises at least one magnet separated from the fluid by a magnetically permeable solid material layer. The magnet can be completely separated from the fluid by the solid material layer, in particular can be completely surrounded by the solid material layer.

[0021] The magnetic device of the separation device can include, for example, one or more permanent magnets or one or more electromagnets or a mixture of the two, and the application of the magnetic field ensures that when the fluid flows through the delivery channel, the magnetic particles near the magnet, such as iron particles that can be magnetized or demagnetized, remain attached to the inner wall of the flow channel / fluid channel or directly attached to the solid material layer of the magnet. Therefore, the flow of the fluid through the delivery channel or fluid channel is not hindered. In addition, by separating the magnet from the actual fluid, it is ensured that even in the case where the fluid has strong chemical or physical erosion, such as using saline solution or even acid or hot fluid for non-medical use, the material of the magnet itself will not be damaged.

[0022] For example, the separation device can be flushed by switching off the electromagnet or by temporarily removing the permanent magnet from the conveying channel. This has the advantage that the separation device can be flushed without taking the separation device itself out of the conveying channel.

[0023] In the design, a magnet is envisioned that is specifically designed to interact with magnetic or magnetizable particles in the fluid in the transport channel.

[0024] Specifically, the magnet of the separation device is provided separately from the additional magnet or armature of the pump drive and / or valve drive, and the magnet of the separation device is provided at a position adjacent to the separation device, especially at a position downstream relative to the preferred flow direction of the separation device.

[0025] One design contemplates a separation device including first and second fluid connections, the separation device forming a fluid-tight fluid passage therebetween.

[0026] In this case, the fluid channel is formed directly in the delivery channel in the frame of the separation device, so that in the fluid channel, the liquid moves, for example, between the first and second fluid connections, for example between the inlet channel and the outlet channel. In this case, the fluid channel can form the delivery channel or be formed in the delivery channel, for example in the form of a conduit.

[0027] In a further design, a magnet is enclosed by a layer of magnetically permeable solid material, around which a fluid can flow at least in some areas. For example, in one embodiment, the fluid can also flow around the magnet, which is arranged in a fluid channel.

[0028] In this case, the magnet is arranged in the fluid channel and it can provide the largest interaction area for the fluid flowing through. Therefore, it is beneficial to appropriately enlarge the cross-section of the fluid channel so that there is enough space for the fluid to flow around the magnet. The magnet itself or at least the surface through which the fluid passes can be covered with, for example, a plastic layer, or can also be covered with a metallisation with appropriate surface treatment. The magnet should be fixed by the housing, for example, by a column or other fixing device in the fluid channel.

[0029] Therefore, it is beneficial to design the magnet as a cylinder or a cuboid, wherein the length of the magnet in the longitudinal direction of the fluid channel is greater than its length in the transverse direction of the fluid channel, and the magnet is arranged at the cylindrical cross section of the fluid channel.

[0030] In this case, the cylindrical or cross-sectional rectangular portion of the fluid channel and the magnet may be designed to be elongated so that the fluid flowing through the magnet has sufficient interaction time to allow the respective magnetic particles to be attracted to the magnet and firmly fixed.

[0031] It is also advantageously conceivable that the magnetic field lines within the magnet extend transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the flow direction of the fluid.

[0032] In this case, magnetic poles are formed on each side of the magnet to firmly fix the respective magnetic components, and the fluid flows through the magnetic poles, that is, along the longitudinal direction of the fluid channel. However, the magnetization can also be designed so that the magnetic poles are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the fluid channel. In this way, the main interaction surfaces of the magnet with the magnetic particles in the fluid are located at the ends of the magnet located upstream and downstream.

[0033] The separating device can also be designed such that the magnet has a shorter extension in the flow direction than perpendicularly to the flow direction.

[0034] In this case, the magnet can be formed in the shape of a disk, wherein the magnetic disk is arranged perpendicular to the direction of the flow in the fluid channel and, depending on the circumstances, eddy currents flowing around the disk can be generated. In this case, the magnet will exert a certain flow resistance, but due to the eddy currents of the fluid, all particles located in the fluid can be successfully brought into the vicinity of the magnet sooner or later and firmly fixed.

[0035] In the case of the choice of elongated magnets, eddy flow elements can be provided in the region of the separation device which are stationary in the fluid flow and which ensure a non-laminar flow and an approach of the particles to the magnet arrangement.

[0036] In a further design, a ring is envisaged, for example, surrounding a delivery channel, wherein the delivery channel is configured for receiving a catheter having a through-flow channel, and wherein a magnet is arranged within the ring in a cavity adjacent to the delivery channel.

[0037] In this case, the separating device itself will not come into direct contact with the fluid, but the delivery channel is configured so that the delivery channel can receive a conduit with a fluid channel. This has the advantage that the separating device can be assembled and disassembled without interrupting the fluid channel, so that, for example, the fluid flow is not interrupted. It is conceivable that, in order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the ring body is designed as a whole in the circumferential direction. However, it is also conceivable that the ring body is interrupted at least once in the circumferential direction, in particular it can be bent open to adhere to the conduit.

[0038] In this case, the separating device can be applied and arranged on the catheter in a relatively simple manner by simply bending the ring on the separating device open and pushing it onto the catheter. Removal of the separating device is therefore also simple. However, in this structural form, the structural size of the separating device may be slightly increased compared to a separating device including a magnet located in the fluid channel.

[0039] In a further embodiment, it is envisaged that the flow channel in the region of the magnet arrangement has a larger cross section than a flow channel in a region arranged upstream of the magnet arrangement region in the flow direction.

[0040] Under this configuration, the fluid flow in the separator area is decelerated by the enlarged cross section, so that the magnetic particles can have a greater probability to be attracted by the magnet and be firmly fixed, no matter the separator includes a ring body around the delivery channel and having a magnet or includes a magnet itself in the fluid channel. In addition, in this way, it can be ensured that the fluid channel will not be blocked, that is to say, the fluid flow will not be hindered by the separated particles. With respect to the zone of the separator, the cross section of the fluid channel directly upstream of the separator can be reduced, but the cross section of the fluid channel directly downstream of the separator can also be reduced alternatively or additionally. In this way, along the flow direction of the fluid, the cross section of the separator area can be, for example, at least twice, especially three times or five times, of the cross section of the upstream directly connected to the separator, and can also be, for example, at least twice, especially three times or five times, of the cross section of the downstream directly connected to the separator. However, the fluid channel can also be designed in a manner that the particles are transported to the cavity or the storage device according to the magnet, so that these particles will not hinder the fluid flow.

[0041] In addition to the above-mentioned type of separation device and catheter device, the present protective claim application also relates to a protective device for protecting a functional element associated with a flowing fluid, wherein a separation device is provided for blocking particles located in the fluid and having at least one magnetic element, in particular a separation device of the above-mentioned type, wherein the magnetic element is provided along the flow channel of the fluid, in particular along the catheter, in a manner away from the functional element, in particular in a manner separated from the functional element.

[0042] The separation device can advantageously be arranged upstream of the functional element with respect to the main flow direction of the fluid, but it is also possible for the two elements to be simply arranged one after the other, in particular remote from each other, for example structurally separated from each other, for example in the form of two separate structural elements with different housings.

[0043] The functional element may contain no magnetic elements or magnetically active elements and may be non-magnetic as a whole, for example. It may include one or more ball bearings and / or sliding bearings. The functional element may also include, for example, a sealing surface to be protected from particle damage.

[0044] Functional elements can also be different articles, in particular articles to be protected, such as a part of a human or animal body. However, in most cases, the functional element is a bearing, such as a sliding bearing or a ball bearing and / or a sealing device.

[0045] The functional element may also include a magnetic component, such as a drive magnet for a rotor or a drive magnet for a translational drive or a magnetic valve. The magnetic element of the separation device may be a magnet separated from the magnetic component of the functional element, or a functional surface of a magnetic structural element specifically having a particle separation function, wherein other functional surfaces of the magnetic structural element may perform other functions of the functional element, such as a drive function. In the latter case, the magnetic element of the separation device may be combined with the magnetic structural element of the functional element, combined with it, assembled with it, and in particular assembled with it in a housing. Therefore, the functional surface of the separation device can capture and bind particles, in particular magnetic and / or magnetizable magnet particles, before they can contact the functional element.

[0046] An additional aspect relates to a functional element connected to a separating device, in particular a valve according to the present protective claim, in particular comprising a closing element which can be driven between two end positions, wherein one or more armatures of a magnetic material or a magnetizable material or a material having a particularly low magnetic reluctance are integrated into the closing element, and wherein the magnet of the separating device is combined with the closing element, in particular fixedly connected, advantageously integrated together.

[0047] The present invention will be shown and described below by way of embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] As shown in the figures:

[0049] Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section through a separation device having a conveying channel which is designed as a fluid channel and in which a fluid flows around a magnet,

[0050] Figure 2 shows a longitudinal section of a catheter device with a rotating shaft and a separation device,

[0051] Figure 3 Shows Figure 2 A cross section of the device shown in

[0052] Figure 4 A magnet device is shown, which magnetizes a magnet surrounded by a fluid flow in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal direction of the fluid channel.

[0053] Figure 5 shows a magnet magnetized along its longitudinal direction and the longitudinal direction of a fluid channel,

[0054] Figure 6 The valve connected to the separation device is shown.

[0055] Figure 7 Another valve connected to the separation device is shown,

[0056] Figure 8 The driving unit of the functional element is shown, and the functional element can be driven by a rotating shaft in the catheter.

[0057] Fig. 9 Shown according to Figure 8 A modification of the drive unit,

[0058] Fig.10 and Fig.11 A further design of the drive device of the rotating shaft in the catheter is shown respectively, and

[0059] Fig.12 Shown according to Fig. 9 A modification of the drive unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] Figure 1 A delivery channel 1 is shown in longitudinal section, which is designed directly as a fluid channel and guides a fluid, for example a fluid in the form of a saline solution. The fluid enters the delivery channel 1 at an inlet 2 and leaves at an outlet 3. The flow direction is indicated by arrows 4, 5, 6. A holder 7 for a magnet arrangement is provided at the upstream end of the delivery channel 1, while another holder 8 for a magnet arrangement is provided at the downstream end. The holders 7, 8 can be designed as star-shaped holders with fluid through-openings 9, 10. Therefore, the cross-section of the through-openings 9, 10 should be large enough so that the holders 7, 8 do not present a significant flow resistance to the liquid.

[0061] The inlet opening 2 , like the outlet opening 3 , can be connected to a conduit which can be, for example, slipped onto the connection pieces 11 , 12 .

[0062] In the conveying channel, a magnet arrangement is arranged with a permanent magnet 13 which is surrounded on all sides by a housing 14, which protects the magnet from the corrosive fluid. The housing can be designed, for example, as a plastic housing, a coating or also as a metallisation, i.e. a metallic coating of a precious metal.

[0063] The flow of the fluid through the delivery channel 1 will not be strictly laminar, but will have a certain turbulence or eddy current. In either case, particles 15, 16 of magnetic particles present in the fluid due to, for example, wear of the magnetic components are attracted to specific areas of the magnet. By means of additional eddy current elements in the delivery channel 1, it can be ensured that the fluid flow is an eddy current, so that the probability of the particles transported in the fluid approaching the magnet is increased. Therefore, the term "magnetic particles" should be understood as all particles attracted by a magnet, especially but not only ferromagnetic particles.

[0064] Once a particle enters the capture zone of the magnet, it is firmly held there and blocked from the fluid flow. Figure 1 The separation device shown in can be used, for example, as a disposable separation device and disposed of after use. In this case, the separated metal particles 15, 16 can remain on the magnet 13. It is also conceivable that the magnet 13 is designed as an electromagnet or is magnetized by a magnetizing device from outside the transport channel. In both cases, the magnetization strength of the magnet 13 can be temporarily increased in order to flush the transport channel and the outer surface of the magnets 13, 14 and remove the magnetic particles 15, 16. In this case, for example, another catheter can be connected to the connecting piece 12, which guides the fluid used for flushing together with the particles into the capture container.

[0065] Figure 4 FIG. 1 shows more details of the magnet 13 ″, which can be magnetized by, for example, having an electromagnet component 18 and a pole shoe so that its magnetization direction is along Figure 4 The arrows 21 and 22 shown extend in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the conveying channel (assuming that Figure 4 The magnet shown in Figure 1 ). The electromagnet 18 can then be simply de-energized to flush, or its action can be at least partially reversed to overcome the residual magnetism of the magnet 13.

[0066] Figure 5 Another structural form of the magnet is shown in FIG. , in which its external geometry corresponds to Figure 1 , wherein the magnetization indicated by arrow 23 extends in the longitudinal direction of the magnet 13 .

[0067] When using such magnets, metal particles tend to gather at the two ends of the shaft rather than Figure 4 The magnets shown in FIG. 1 are magnetized transversely to the longitudinal direction and are clustered on the longitudinal side.

[0068] Figure 2 A catheter arrangement is shown with a catheter 24 in which a metal shaft 25 is guided. Figure 2In the embodiment of the present invention, the catheter holder including the delivery channel 1' is indicated by reference numeral 26. Reference numeral 27 indicates a housing surrounding the catheter holder 26 and forming a ring including a cavity in which the magnet 13' is arranged. The shaft 25 extends from the catheter 24 in the housing 27. The catheter 24 extends from the catheter holder 26 or ends at one end of the catheter holder 26. In either case, the fluid located in the catheter 24 and the fluid flowing slowly along the shaft 25 for cleaning or lubrication can enter the fluid channel 28, which is formed at the end of the catheter 24 and has a cross section that is significantly larger than the free cross section of the catheter 24 where the shaft 25 introduced becomes smaller. The fluid channel 28 is located upstream of the mechanical bearing 29, which can be designed as a sliding bearing and can be located in the direct influence area of ​​the magnet 13'. The magnet 13' is designed as a permanent magnet, but can also be designed as an electromagnet.

[0069] The magnetic particles 30 in the region of the fluid channel 28 collect on the wall of the channel facing the magnet 13 ′. This prevents the magnetic particles in the fluid from reaching the bearing 29 .

[0070] The further course of the shaft 25 is not shown, but further mechanical functional components can be arranged at the distal end of the connecting coupling device in the further course, such as a pump or a mill driven by the shaft and having to be protected from magnetic particles. In the housing 27, in addition to the catheter holder 26, a flushing device with connections 32, 33 for flushing fluid is also accommodated to flush the catheter 24.

[0071] The magnet 13' can be removed from the housing 27 to clear the captured magnetic particles 30 so that the magnetic particles can be washed away. This should be done outside of operating hours of the shaft and its corresponding bearings and working components to take care of these. In the case where the magnet 13' is an electromagnet, the electromagnet can simply be turned off for flushing.

[0072] exist Figure 3 The figure shows the Figure 2 2 , which has a housing 27 , a delivery channel 28 located in the rear region of the end of the catheter 24 , and a magnet 13 ′ located in the cavity of the housing 27 .

[0073] Figure 6 A magnetic valve is shown with a delivery channel 1", through which a fluid flows between an inlet opening 2' and an outlet opening 3'. A closing body 50 can be driven between a first closing position and a second closing position in the delivery channel 1", wherein a first closing surface 51 closes a valve opening 51a in the first closing position and a closing surface 52 closes a valve opening 52a in the second closing position.

[0074] The two armature bodies 53, 54 are integrated into the closure body 50 and can be driven by the magnetic field of the two valve drive coils 55, 56. The magnet 13" of the separating device is arranged axially between the armature bodies 53, 54 and aligned with them. The armature body with the magnet 13" is provided with a housing of a conventional solid substance.

[0075] Positioning springs 57, 58 keep the closing body in the middle position when the valve drive coil is not excited, allowing the valve to open. Two sliding bearings 59, 60 are provided at the ends of the valve housing for guiding the closing body 50.

[0076] Figure 7 A valve having an inlet 2", an outlet 3" and a closing body 50' is shown. The closing body 50' can be driven between a first closing position and a second closing position in the delivery channel 1", wherein a first closing surface 51' closes the valve opening 51a' in the first closing position and a closing surface 52' closes the valve opening 52a' in the second closing position. The closing body 50' is mounted in the valve housing by an elastic permeable disc 61 and maintained in an open intermediate position. The disc 61 carries separation magnets 13"', 13"", which are connected to valve drive armatures 62, 63 in the closing body 50' and are surrounded by a protective layer together with them.

[0077] The valve drive armatures 62, 63 can be driven in the field of the coils 64, 65. The particles in the transport channel can be deposited on the protective layer of the separation magnet and fixed firmly.

[0078] Figure 8 A drive device is shown with a drive armature 66 which can be driven in rotation and thus drives a shaft 67 in a guide tube 68. An inlet channel 69 is arranged radially outwards and a return channel 70 is arranged radially inwards, in a concentric manner with each other in the guide tube 68 towards the outer envelope of the guide tube. The inlet channel 69 and the return channel 70 are separated from each other by a hose-like partition wall 71.

[0079] The flushing liquid is pumped from a reservoir 73 through a cannula 74 and a valve 75 by a metered peristaltic pump 72. Two magnets 76 and 77 serve as actuation for the valve and are activated by a pressure switch 78 in order to maintain a constant pressure in the inlet channel 69. The fluid for this purpose is led through the valve 75 and the housing of the drive armature 66, through the delivery channel 9, through the separator 80, where particles are actively filtered out of the fluid. The separator 80 can be as follows Figure 1From the separation device 80, the fluid flows into the conduit 68, flows radially outward into the conduit 68, flows radially inward through the return channel 70, and from there to the peristaltic pump 81, which sucks the fluid in and directs it into the reservoir 82. However, the peristaltic pump 81 can also be used for back flushing, and for this purpose, the peristaltic pump 81 can be operated in such a way that the fluid is delivered to the return channel 70 and from there through the inlet channel 69 and the separation device back to the valve 75 and into the reservoir 73, for example, to remove captured particles from the separation device.

[0080] Fig. 9 Shows something like Figure 8 The structure of the invention is characterized in that in addition to the valve 75, a second valve 75' is provided between the return channel 70 and the return pump 80, before the drive armature 66 and after the peristaltic pump 72. Figure 8 Flushing systems used in the application do not create an unwanted vacuum in the return flow due to the installation components. Fig. 9 It is possible to use a flushing system even though an undesirable vacuum may be generated in the return flow (e.g. due to the winding direction of the flexible shaft). This vacuum can be detected by a sensor, which then ensures that no medium leaves the container 82 via the pump 81 and enters the flushing circuit by closing the valve 75' to the bottom. The separation device is therefore arranged between the two valves and also between the two fluid conveying devices, at least one of which, in particular both, can be switched relative to the conveying direction of the fluid in order to reverse the flow direction.

[0081] About the basis Fig.10 structure, and Figure 8 Compared to the structure in FIG. 1 , only the peristaltic pump 72 is replaced by a reservoir 83, which allows gravity flushing, i.e., the fluid flows through the valve 75 under the action of gravity and then reaches the conduit 68. The rotating shaft 84 in the conduit 68 has a spiral (coiled) outer structure due to its twisted / twisted structure based on twisted wire, which causes itself to produce a pumping effect in a direction away from the drive armature when rotating. Fig.10 Another variant is shown to the right of the dotted line on the right side of the embodiment, which has a meterable peristaltic pump 72 and a reservoir 73 for supplying fluid to the catheter 68. The peristaltic pump there delivers the fluid into the catheter, which is, for example, introduced into the patient's body and terminates at a heart pump 85 with a rotor 85a. The heart pump can be radially compressed, for example, which means that particles can easily enter it as a whole. The fluid then flows back from there. In various cases, a separation device 80 can be arranged upstream of the catheter in the flow direction, between the upstream and the conveying device 73, 83, and in particular upstream of the heart pump 85 in any case.

[0082] Fig.11 Shows something like Fig. 9 A structure in which a gravity feed 83 is envisaged instead of a peristaltic pump 72, from which the fluid is guided through a valve into a conduit 68 during normal operation, and there first passes radially outward through an inlet channel 69 and flows radially inward to a return channel 70, from which the fluid is sucked in by a peristaltic pump 81 and introduced into a reservoir 82. The fluid between the return channel 70 and the peristaltic pump 81 first passes through a separation device 80 arranged between the return channel and the housing of the drive armature 66. Thereafter, the fluid flows through the drive armature 66 to the peristaltic pump 81. The mounting of the drive armature can be relatively insensitive, so that the flow direction of the fluid throughflow there is little effect. It is important that the fluid is supplied to the housing of the drive armature to ensure good lubrication. The selected structure also ensures that magnetic wear particles of the shaft 84 cannot damage the bearings of the drive armature in this case.

[0083] Fig.12 Shows something like Fig. 9 The structure, in which a separating device 80' is also provided, ensures that the function of the sealing surface of the valve 75' is not affected by adhering particles.

[0084] The invention, in particular in medical applications, but also in other applications, allows magnetic particles to be arrested in a fluid flow by means of a magnet arrangement, wherein the magnets of the magnet arrangement are protected from the corrosive effects of the fluid.

[0085] The catheter device according to the invention can be combined with all separation devices represented here, for example a separation device according to one of the aspects 1 to 11 specified below and / or other separation devices according to the description of the drawings and the patent claims. For this purpose, it is also possible to provide not only one but also several separation devices for each catheter device.

[0086] The above-mentioned separation devices are particularly suitable for the following aspects:

[0087] 1. A separation device for preventing magnetic particles in a fluid, comprising a transport channel in which the fluid can move along a through-flow direction, and a magnet device, wherein the magnet device includes at least one magnet separated from the fluid by a magnetically permeable solid material layer.

[0088] 2. The separation device according to aspect 1 is characterized in that the magnet interacts exclusively with magnetic or magnetizable particles in the fluid in the transport channel.

[0089] 3. The separation device according to aspect 1 or 2,

[0090] It is characterized in that

[0091] The separator comprises first and second fluid connections, and the separator forms a fluid-tight fluid passage between the first and second fluid connections.

[0092] 4. The separation device according to aspect 1, 2 or 3,

[0093] It is characterized in that

[0094] A magnet wrapped by a magnetically permeable solid material layer is arranged in the fluid channel, and the fluid can flow on all sides of the magnet.

[0095] 5. The separation device according to aspect 4,

[0096] It is characterized in that

[0097] The magnet is designed as a cylinder or a cuboid, the length of the magnet in the longitudinal direction of the fluid channel is greater than the diameter thereof, and the magnet is arranged in the cylindrical portion of the fluid channel.

[0098] 6. The separation device according to aspect 5,

[0099] It is characterized in that

[0100] The magnetic field lines in the magnet run transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the flow direction of the fluid.

[0101] 7. The separation device according to aspect 4,

[0102] It is characterized in that

[0103] The magnet has a smaller extension in the throughflow direction than perpendicularly to the throughflow direction.

[0104] 8. The separation device according to aspect 1, 2 or 3,

[0105] It is characterized in that

[0106] A ring is included that surrounds the delivery channel, wherein the delivery channel is configured to receive a catheter with a through-flow passage, and wherein a magnet is disposed in the ring within a cavity adjacent to the delivery channel.

[0107] 9. The separation device according to aspect 8,

[0108] It is characterized in that

[0109] The ring body is designed to be an integral whole in the circumferential direction.

[0110] 10. The separation device according to aspect 8,

[0111] It is characterized in that

[0112] The ring body is interrupted at least once in the circumferential direction and can be bent open in particular so as to be attached to a catheter.

[0113] 11. The separation device according to aspect 1 or any aspect thereof,

[0114] It is characterized in that

[0115] The flow channel has a larger cross section in the region of the magnet arrangement than upstream of the region of the magnet arrangement in the flow direction of the fluid.

[0116] 12. A catheter device comprising a catheter in which a rotating shaft at least partially comprising a magnetic material is arranged, and the catheter device has a separation device, the separation device comprising a ring body surrounding the rotating shaft, and the ring body has a cavity, the cavity accommodating a magnet, wherein the magnet is arranged downstream of the point where the shaft protrudes from the catheter surrounding it relative to the flow direction of the fluid through the catheter.

[0117] 13. A protective device for a functional element, connected to a flowing fluid, characterized in that a separation device for blocking particles in the fluid and having at least one magnetic element is provided along a flow channel of the fluid, especially a conduit, in a manner away from the functional element, especially in a manner separated from the functional element, in particular a separation device according to any one of aspects 1 to 11.

[0118] 14. A catheter system, comprising a separation device according to any one of Aspects 1 to 11, and / or a protection device according to Aspect 13, characterized in that at least one electrical element for controlling the functional element and / or for controlling the magnet can be separated from the rest of the catheter system.

Claims

1. A catheter device for stopping magnetic particles (15, 16) in a fluid, comprising a transport channel (1, 1') in which the fluid can move along a throughflow direction (4, 5, 6), and a magnet device (13, 13', 13", 14, 18, 19, 20), wherein the magnet device comprises at least one magnet (13, 13', 13") separated from the fluid by a layer of magnetically permeable solid material (14).

2. A catheter device for stopping magnetic particles (15, 16) in a fluid, comprising a transport channel (1, 1') in which the fluid can move along a throughflow direction (4, 5, 6), and wherein the transport channel (1, 1') comprises a reservoir for intermediate storage of the particles, and wherein the reservoir is under magnetic influence so that the metal particles remain in the reservoir even when there is a flow through the transport channel (1, 1'), The invention also comprises a magnetic device (13, 13', 13", 14, 18, 19, 20), wherein the magnetic device comprises at least one magnet (13, 13', 13") separated from the fluid by a layer of magnetically permeable solid material (14).

3. A catheter device for stopping magnetic particles (15, 16) in a fluid, comprising a transport channel (1, 1') in which the fluid can move along a throughflow direction (4, 5, 6), and wherein the transport channel (1, 1') comprises a reservoir for intermediate storage of particles, wherein the reservoir is designed to capture particles under the influence of magnetic forces by means of a magnet, so that the particles remain at least partially in the reservoir, The reservoir has two ends, wherein both ends are connected to the delivery channel in a fluid-conducting manner.

4. The catheter device of claim 3, wherein the reservoir has a U-shape in which the particles can be collected.

5. A catheter device for stopping magnetic particles (15, 16) in a fluid, comprising a transport channel (1, 1') in which the fluid can move along a throughflow direction (4, 5, 6), and wherein the transport channel (1, 1') comprises a reservoir for intermediate storage of particles, wherein the reservoir is designed to capture particles under the influence of magnetic forces by means of a magnet, so that the particles remain at least partially in the reservoir, The reservoir has only one branch to the supply channel.

6. The catheter device according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 5, characterized in that The at least one magnet (13, 13', 13") interacts exclusively with magnetic or magnetizable particles in the fluid in the transport channel (1, 1').

7. A catheter device according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3, It is characterized in that A first and a second fluid connection (11, 12), the separation device forming a fluid-tight fluid passage between the first and second fluid connections.

8. The catheter device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 5, It is characterized in that A magnet (13, 13', 13") wrapped by a magnetically permeable solid material layer (14) is arranged in the fluid channel, and a fluid can flow around the magnet.

9. The catheter device according to claim 8, It is characterized in that The magnet (13, 13', 13") is designed to be cylindrical or cuboid, the length of the magnet in the longitudinal direction of the fluid channel is greater than its diameter, and the magnet is arranged in the cylindrical part of the fluid channel.

10. The catheter device according to claim 9, It is characterized in that The magnetic field lines in the magnets (13, 13', 13") run transversely to the flow direction of the fluid.

11. The catheter device according to claim 10, It is characterized in that The direction of the magnetic field lines in the magnets (13, 13', 13") is perpendicular to the flow direction of the fluid.

12. The catheter device according to claim 8, It is characterized in that The magnets (13, 13', 13") have a smaller extension in the throughflow direction (4, 5, 6) than perpendicularly to the throughflow direction (4, 5, 6).

13. The catheter device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 5, It is characterized in that A ring (27) surrounds the delivery channel (1'), wherein the delivery channel (1') is configured to receive a catheter (24) with a through-flow channel, and wherein a magnet (13') is arranged in the ring (27) within a cavity adjacent to the delivery channel (1').

14. The catheter device according to claim 13, It is characterized in that The ring body (27) is designed to be an integral whole in the circumferential direction.

15. The catheter device according to claim 13, It is characterized in that The ring body (27) is cut at least once in the circumferential direction.

16. The catheter device according to claim 15, It is characterized in that The ring body (27) can be bent and opened so as to be attached to the catheter (24).

17. The catheter device according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The flow channel has a larger cross section in the region of the magnet arrangement (13, 13', 13", 14, 18, 19, 20) than in a region upstream of the region of the magnet arrangement in the flow direction of the fluid.

18. The catheter device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 5, characterized in that The invention comprises at least one valve for controlling the flow of fluid through the conduit (24), wherein the valve comprises: a valve control space, wherein an inlet channel having an inlet port extends out, and an outlet channel having an outlet port extends out; and a closing element, which can move in the valve control space in a controlled manner and close the outlet port at least in a first position, close the inlet port at at least a second position, and keep the connecting channel between the inlet port and the outlet open at at least a third position, wherein a valve drive is provided, which selectively moves the closing element to at least the first, second or third position.

19. The catheter device according to claim 1, characterized in that The transport channel (1, 1') comprises a reservoir for the intermediate storage of particles.

20. The catheter device of claim 19, wherein: The reservoir is under magnetic influence, so that metal particles remain in the reservoir even when there is a flow through the transport channel (1, 1').

21. The catheter device according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that The storage device comprises two ends, wherein both ends are connected to the delivery channel (1, 1') in a fluid-conducting manner.

22. The catheter device according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that The reservoir is designed as a spatially divided cross-sectional enlargement in the conveying channel (1, 1').

23. A protective device for a functional element, connected to a flowing fluid, characterized in that: A separation device for retaining particles located in the fluid and having at least one magnetic element is provided along the flow channel of the fluid in a manner remote from the functional element.

24. The protection device according to claim 23, characterized in that The flow channel of the fluid is a catheter of the catheter device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 5.

25. The protection device according to claim 23, characterized in that The separation device is provided in a manner isolated from the functional element.

26. The protection device according to claim 23, characterized in that The functional element is a seal and / or a bearing.

27. The protection device according to claim 26, characterized in that The functional element is a ball bearing or a sliding bearing.

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