Impeller of a pump, and pump

Abstract

The invention relates to an impeller of a pump, in particular a blood pump, comprising a plurality of blades (3), which impeller comprises magnetically acting coupling elements (4, 5) arranged about a rotational axis (9), in particular wherein the impeller can be contactlessly set into rotation by means of magnetic interaction of the coupling elements (4, 5) with a rotating magnetic field, wherein the blades (3) each have at least two mutually spaced apart flexibly connected influencing regions (3a, 3b) on which forces can be exerted by a magnetic field, by means of which forces the relative position of the influencing regions (3a, 3b) can be changed with respect to one another. The invention also relates to a pump comprising a pump housing having an impeller of the type mentioned which comprises blades (3).

Description

[0001] Impeller of a pump and pump

[0002] The invention relates to an impeller of a pump, preferably a radial pump, in particular a blood pump, with multiple blades, which impeller has magnetically acting coupling elements arranged around a rotational axis. The impeller can thus be set in rotation without contact, preferably through magnetic interaction of the coupling elements with a rotating magnetic field. Such a rotating magnetic field can be set in rotation, for example, by a pump drive configured to generate a rotating magnetic field.

[0003] The invention also relates to a pump, preferably a radial pump, in particular a blood pump, comprising a pump housing with a bladed impeller having magnetic coupling elements, and comprising a magnetic drive for generating at least one rotating magnetic field, with which the impeller can be set in rotation without contact. This occurs through the magnetic interaction between the rotating magnetic field of the drive and the magnetic coupling elements of the impeller. Such a magnetic field preferably acts through a wall of the pump housing onto the impeller arranged in the pump housing.

[0004] The impeller is preferably driven in the pump by the rotating magnetic field and is preferably also mounted in the pump, in particular hydrodynamically mounted in the fluid flowing around the impeller, preferably in a liquid, in particular blood. The mounting is thus preferably achieved through the interaction of magnetic and hydrodynamically generated forces. The impeller can preferably also be point-mounted or spherically mounted in the pump, e.g., on / at a ball arranged in the pump, in particular in the pump housing.

[0005] In this description of the invention, a magnetic coupling element is understood to mean an element on which a force can be exerted by a magnetic field. The coupling element can itself be magnetic or at least magnetizable.

[0006] A coupling element is preferably understood to mean a magnetically acting element which interacts with a rotating magnetic field, in particular a pump drive, for the purpose of driving the impeller in the pump housing of the pump or for further purposes according to the invention.

[0007] Such impellers and pumps with such impellers are generally known in the prior art, e.g. through the publication WO 2014 / 000753 A1 by the same applicant.

[0008] In medical technology, radial pumps are used as blood pumps to replace or support the heart, both in implantable form and in extracorporeal applications. For reasons of hemocompatibility, dynamic seals cannot be used in blood pumps; therefore, the impeller in the pump housing is typically driven contactlessly by magnetic forces. Although blood pumps (like all radial pumps) are designed for a fixed operating point, they are often used over a wide operating point range. However, operating the pumps outside of the operating point can lead to clinical complications such as hemolysis and thrombosis formation in the pump. The invention also preferably relates to the use of the impeller and the pump in the clinical field of blood pumps, but is not limited thereto.

[0009] Against this background, it is an object of the invention to provide an impeller and a pump with such an impeller which is adaptable to different operating conditions.

[0010] According to the invention, this is achieved in that the blades each have at least two flexibly connected action areas spaced apart from one another, onto which forces can be exerted by means of a magnetic field, with which the relative position of the action areas to one another can be changed.

[0011] Such an impeller has the advantage that its blades are not rigid, as is usually the case, so that the flexibility of the blades makes it possible to deform the blades.

[0012] By means of the at least two action areas provided which are spaced apart from one another and flexibly connected, a movement of at least one action area relative to at least one other action area can be generated by a magnetically generated force.

[0013] Such relative movement thus affects the shape of the blades and / or their arrangement relative to the other components of the impeller. Overall, the impeller geometry can be changed, and such a change can, for example, allow the impeller, especially its blades, to be geometrically adapted to the current operating point of a pump in operation.

[0014] Preferably, a force that changes the impeller geometry acts on all impeller blades simultaneously, in particular identically. This ensures that all impeller blades are influenced in the same way by the magnetic field, in particular, they are deformed or their arrangement is changed relative to other impeller areas.

[0015] Preferably, a magnetic field used to change the impeller geometry rotates around a rotational axis around which the impeller rotates, just like the magnetic field driving the impeller. Furthermore, the magnetic field used to change the impeller geometry also preferably acts as a drive for the impeller. Even more preferably, at least two rotating magnetic fields interact in a pump to drive the impeller of the pump and influence its impeller geometry, in particular by changing the interaction of the at least two magnetic fields, preferably by changing the superposition of the interacting magnetic fields.

[0016] An impact zone of a blade is understood as a region of a blade on which a magnetically generated force acts, or to which the force is transmitted when the impeller is located in a magnetic field, in particular one that is artificially generated, preferably in the drive of a pump in which the impeller is used. An impact zone is thus itself magnetic or at least magnetizable, or is mechanically connected to a magnetic or magnetizable region / part of the impeller.

[0017] It is preferably provided that a respective area of ​​influence comprises at least one magnetically acting coupling element or is connected to at least one magnetically acting coupling element.

[0018] A coupling element encompassed by the blade is preferably integrated into the material forming the blade. A connection between an impact area and at least one coupling element can be established via other areas of the impeller, in particular those that are not part of the blade, e.g., via areas on / to which a respective blade is attached, such as via the impeller bodies mentioned below.

[0019] As mentioned at the beginning, a coupling element is understood to be a magnetically acting element to which at least one rotating magnetic field generated by a pump drive is coupled, i.e. which exerts driving forces and / or which is used for magnetically generated geometry changes.

[0020] The invention thus preferably achieves that the use of coupling elements in the impeller can effect both the drive and the change in its geometry. This preferably also opens up the possibility of effecting a change in geometry indirectly via the drive of a pump, particularly during its operation.

[0021] It is particularly preferably provided that the impeller comprises at least two groups of magnetically acting coupling elements and the blades each have at least two spaced-apart action areas, to which at least one coupling element of another group is assigned, in particular by a connection between the action area and the at least one assigned coupling element or by integration of the at least one assigned coupling element into the action area, wherein the impeller geometry can be changed by a relative movement, in particular around the axis of rotation, between the at least two groups of coupling elements.

[0022] In order to utilize such a relative movement, the various groups of coupling elements in the impeller are preferably not connected to each other or are only flexibly connected to each other, in particular indirectly via flexible areas of the blades.

[0023] Preferably, the design provides for the at least two groups of coupling elements and / or the at least two impact areas of a respective blade to be spaced apart in a radial direction. The radial direction is to be understood in relation to the axis of rotation around which the impeller is intended to rotate, or around which a pump rotates during operation.

[0024] Within a respective group, the coupling elements of this group are preferably all arranged around the axis of rotation, in particular with the same angular distance between the coupling elements.

[0025] The coupling elements belonging to a group are preferably all coupling elements of the impeller that lie on the same radius or radius interval. The coupling elements of a group are always assigned to the same area of ​​influence for the different blades. Identical areas of influence are preferably all such areas of influence of all blades that lie on the same radius or radius interval. This results in the areas of influence at different radial positions being assigned to different groups of coupling elements. This ensures that the groups of coupling elements influence all blades in the same way.

[0026] Preferably, the invention can provide that the coupling elements of one of the at least two groups are at least predominantly designed to exert the driving force on the impeller by means of a rotating magnetic field acting on these coupling elements. It can be provided that the coupling elements of another group also have a driving effect, but in particular are predominantly designed to exert a force on the associated impact areas of the blades, so that one impact area of ​​a blade is displaced relative to another impact area.

[0027] A coupling element of a group is preferably considered to be assigned to an area of ​​influence if there is a connection, in particular a rigid connection, between the coupling element and the area of ​​influence. The connection is understood to be at least rigid if no relative movement occurs between the at least one coupling element and the assigned area of ​​influence due to magnetic forces acting during operation of a pump.

[0028] At least one coupling element of a group or all coupling elements of a group can be arranged in the impeller at a distance in the axial direction from the blades of the impeller, in particular in an impeller body axially below a connection region in which the blades are fastened to the impeller body.

[0029] Preferably, there are as many coupling elements in each group of coupling elements as there are blades arranged on the impeller.

[0030] Coupling elements of a group and associated areas of influence of the blades can, for example, be arranged such that one coupling element and one area of ​​influence are each aligned in the axial direction, in particular in the direction parallel to the axis of rotation. It can also be provided that the coupling elements of a group are located at a different radial position than the associated areas of influence. In this way, a magnetic direction of action can be generated which deviates from a direction parallel to the axis of rotation, e.g. 45 degrees to it. Coupling elements of a group and associated areas of influence of the blades can also be spaced apart in the axial direction of the axis of rotation and offset from one another in the circumferential direction around the axis of rotation. In such an arrangement, the coupling elements of a group are located between two associated areas of influence when viewed in the circumferential direction around the axis of rotation.

[0031] Different impact zones of a blade are connected to coupling elements of different groups, so that different forces acting on the coupling elements of different groups can generate a force between spaced impact zones. The aforementioned relative movement can thus be caused by different magnetically generated forces acting on the coupling elements of different groups, particularly during pump operation. Such forces can be generated by magnetic fields acting differently on the coupling elements of different groups. This can also occur stably during impeller rotation during pump operation if the magnetic fields acting on the coupling elements are themselves rotating and, in particular, drive the impeller to rotate.

[0032] The change in the impeller geometry preferably means the change in a blade parameter, preferably the change in the spatial position of the blades in the impeller, in particular the position relative to the axis of rotation, and / or the change in the approach and / or outflow angle, and / or the change in the wrap angle, and / or the change in the blade shape (e.g. the curvature), and / or the change in the direction of the blade extension, in particular in each alternative in relation to an impeller region that rotates with the blades in the impeller, such as the impeller body described below. In particular, the approach angle can also be referred to as the inlet angle and the outflow angle as the outlet angle of the blade.

[0033] In particular, the approach angle / entry angle is measured between the tangent to the blade at its radially inner end and the tangent to the circle on which the radially inner end of the blade lies. In particular, the outflow angle / exit angle is measured between the tangent to the blade at its radially outer end and the tangent to the circle on which the outer end of the blade lies. In particular, the wrap angle is the angular distance on the circle on which the radially outer end of the blade lies, between the radially outer end of the blade and the radial projection of the radially inner end of the blade. The aforementioned circles each extend around the axis of rotation of the impeller having the blades.

[0034] The blades are preferably made of a flexible, preferably elastic material, in particular one that has a higher degree of flexibility than other regions / elements of the impeller, in particular regions / elements that preferably rigidly connect the coupling elements of a group to one another, such as the impeller body described below. In this way, by externally applying magnetic forces to the impeller, one area of ​​action on each blade can be moved relative to another. For example, the blades can be made of an elastomer, e.g. silicone, or of a metal sheet, e.g. titanium sheet. For example, an impeller body described below can be made of a plastic or of another, preferably non-magnetic / magnetizable material.

[0035] The object is thus also achieved by a pump in which the impeller is designed according to an embodiment of this description of the invention and at least two magnetic fields which are rotatable / rotated about the axis of rotation of the impeller and which are phase-shiftable relative to one another can be generated by the drive, wherein each of the rotatable / rotated magnetic fields interacts with a different group of coupling elements of the impeller.

[0036] The number of rotating magnetic fields that can be generated by the drive preferably corresponds to the number of groups of coupling elements in the impeller, in particular also to the number of action areas on each blade.

[0037] Preferably, the at least two rotating magnetic fields have the same frequency during rotation, so that the phase shift during rotation is stable and the geometry of the impeller, particularly with regard to its blades, is equally stable. The phase shift can preferably be in the range of 0 to 10 degrees, more preferably 0 to 20 degrees, even more preferably 0 to 30 degrees, and even more preferably 0 to 40 degrees.

[0038] The coupling elements of all groups in the impeller are preferably designed as permanent magnets, but can alternatively also be designed as coils. The impeller can also be provided with at least one group of permanent magnets and at least one group of coils.

[0039] In the pump, it is preferably provided that the drive comprises a plurality of drive units, in particular drive rings, which are concentric about the axis of rotation, preferably lying one inside the other and are phase-shiftable relative to one another in the angular position about the axis of rotation, wherein each drive unit comprises a group of coupling elements, in particular permanent magnets and / or coils, which magnetically interact with an axially opposite group of coupling elements of the impeller.

[0040] Each drive unit can be rotated around the rotational axis, for example, by means of a motor. Each drive unit can have its own motor, whereby the phase shift can be generated by controlling the motors differently. All drive units can also be driven by the same motor, whereby the phase shift between two drive units can be generated by an adjustable gear connection acting between them.

[0041] It can also be provided that a drive has two drive units with a fixed phase shift that cannot be changed during operation.

[0042] Such a drive can then only move the impeller to a fixed, defined geometry, which remains constant as long as the drive is installed. By changing the drive to one with a different phase shift, a different, fixed geometry can be created. In this case, a different drive with a correspondingly defined phase shift can be provided for each desired geometry change.

[0043] It can also be provided that the drive comprises at least one arrangement of stationary coils with which at least two rotating magnetic fields that are phase-shiftable relative to one another can be generated by electrical control, wherein each of the generated magnetic fields interacts with a different group of coupling elements of the impeller.

[0044] Preferably, a separate arrangement of stationary coils can be provided for each of the rotating magnetic fields. In particular, a drive with stationary coils has no mechanically moving components.

[0045] It can also be provided that the drive comprises at least one arrangement of stationary coils for generating a rotated magnetic field and at least one drive unit rotatable about the axis of rotation with coupling elements for generating at least one further rotated magnetic field, wherein each of the rotated magnetic fields interacts with a different group of coupling elements in the impeller.

[0046] A preferred exemplary structural implementation of the impeller provides that the impeller has an impeller body in which one of the at least two groups of coupling elements is arranged, wherein all radially inner action regions, in particular the radially inner ends of the blades, are fastened to this impeller body, in particular on its upper side, and the radially outer action regions, in particular radially outer ends of the blades, form free action regions which project outwards beyond the impeller body in the radial direction, wherein at least one coupling element of at least one other group is arranged in the radially outer action region of a respective blade.

[0047] Alternatively, the impeller body can form a ring to which the radially outer action areas, in particular the radially outer ends of the blades, are fastened, in particular on its surface, and the radially inner action areas, in particular radially inner ends of the blades, form free action areas which project inwardly beyond the impeller body in the radial direction, wherein at least one coupling element of another group is arranged in the radially inner action area of ​​a respective blade.

[0048] The top side of the impeller body is preferably the side of the impeller body facing away from the drive or the driving magnetic field.

[0049] A free action area is preferably understood to mean that this area is freely movable in the circumferential direction around the axis of rotation, in particular at least within the scope of its flexibility. It is preferably not connected in the circumferential direction to other free action areas of other blades.

[0050] In this embodiment, the coupling elements of at least one group are arranged directly within the blades, namely in the respective free area of ​​influence of the blades, preferably exactly one coupling element per free area of ​​influence.

[0051] Between the action region of a blade fastened to the coupling element and a free action region, in particular at the radial end of a blade, a blade can have at least one further (free) action region that is not connected to an adjacent blade in the circumferential direction, in particular into which (exactly) one coupling element is integrated. In these embodiments with free action regions, the invention can further provide that the free action regions project in the axial direction beyond the surface of the impeller body to which the blade with the other action region is fastened. The blade can thus have a greater axial length at the free action region than at the action region of the blade that is fastened to the impeller body.

[0052] It can also be provided that the thickness of a blade, viewed in the circumferential direction around the rotational axis, increases from the area of ​​influence attached to the impeller body toward the free area of ​​influence. This preferably creates space in the free area of ​​influence to accommodate the coupling element.

[0053] In another preferred embodiment, it is provided that the impeller has an impeller body which is divided into at least two body rings which are concentric with the axis of rotation and lie one inside the other and which are rotatable relative to one another about the axis of rotation.

[0054] Preferably, the number of body rings corresponds to the number of groups of coupling elements, wherein the coupling elements of a different group are arranged in each body ring and the action areas connected to the coupling elements of a specific group are fastened to the body ring which comprises the coupling elements of this specific group.

[0055] The coupling elements of the group contained therein are rigidly connected to each other by a respective body ring. A flexible connection can exist between such body rings, preferably via flexible sections of the blades.

[0056] The radially innermost body ring is also referred to as a ring if it does not have a recess surrounding the rotation axis. Typically, at least in blood pumps, such a central recess is present to allow blood flow, e.g., to achieve a hydrodynamic bearing of the impeller in the blood, to prevent blood stagnation between the impeller and the housing wall, or to cool a bearing.

[0057] Such an impeller body of the types described above can also be called an impeller cup.

[0058] In all possible embodiments, it is preferably provided that one, in particular each, action region connected to the impeller body, in particular to a body ring of the impeller body is either connected to the impeller body, in particular to the body ring, in a rotationally fixed manner, or is connected to the impeller body, in particular to the body ring, in a rotationally fixed manner, in particular freely rotatable or rotatable against a restoring force.

[0059] In the case of a rotationally fixed connection of the area of ​​influence, in particular of an area of ​​influence located radially furthest inside and / or outside, preferably no influence is exerted on the outflow angle and / or inflow angle of the blade by a relative movement.

[0060] On the other hand, the extension / shape of the blade can change between spaced areas of influence.

[0061] With the rotatable fastening, in particular of an area of ​​influence located radially furthest inside and / or outside, the angle of inflow and / or outflow is changed.

[0062] A restoring force can be generated, for example, by forming the rotatable connection between the area of ​​influence and the impeller body, in particular the body ring, via a twistable rod that is anchored in a rotationally fixed manner in the impeller body on one side and in the area of ​​influence on the other, so that the rotation between the area of ​​influence and the impeller body is achieved by the torsion of the rod. Such a rod is preferably oriented axially, i.e., parallel to the axis of rotation.

[0063] In a preferred development, it is provided that the impeller body, in particular each body ring of the impeller body, comprises a lower and an upper body part, between which the blades are arranged, preferably wherein the fastened action areas in the upper and lower body parts are each fastened in a rotationally fixed or rotatable manner.

[0064] A further preferred development can provide for two radially adjacent body rings to be supported against one another in the axial direction, preferably for which purpose stepped surfaces are formed in the radially opposing surfaces of the adjacent body rings, preferably opposite one another around a common plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation or inclined to the axis of rotation. Such stepped surfaces are preferably axially aligned, i.e., they have a normal vector parallel to the axis of rotation or a normal vector inclined to the axis of rotation, in particular perpendicular to the aforementioned plane.

[0065] The invention can additionally preferably provide that between two radially spaced action zones connected to body rings, in particular connected in a rotationally fixed manner, the blade is free of contact with the body rings. Thus, the blade can deform freely and flexibly between the action zones.

[0066] Further preferably, the coupling elements of all groups are arranged in a common plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation or around a common plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

[0067] Embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the figures.

[0068] Figures 1A and 1B show, in two different states, a first embodiment of an impeller of the invention, axially opposed to two drive rings 6a, 6b of a pump drive of a pump not otherwise shown. The entire pump, however, is shown in Figures 1C and 1D. Here, as in the other figures, it is assumed that the impeller is arranged in a pump housing of the pump and separated from the drive rings 6a, 6b of the pump drive by a housing wall, through which the magnetic fields generated by the drive rings 6a, 6b pass.

[0069] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the impeller 1 has a two-part impeller body 2, which comprises a radially inner body ring 2a and a radially outer body ring 2b. A gap is arranged between the body rings 2a, 2b. The body rings 2a and 2b are connected in the radial direction only via the blades 3, which are made of a flexible material, e.g., an elastomer. "Flexible" here and in all other embodiments means that the blades 3 can deform due to magnetic forces or can shift relative to the impeller body 2.

[0070] The blades 3 each have two impact areas 3a and 3b, with the impact areas 3a, 3b being formed by the radially inner and outer ends of the blades 3. The blades 3 are attached to the surface of the body rings 2a, 2b with the impact areas 3a, 3b, in this embodiment, in a rotationally fixed manner. Between the impact areas 3a, 3b, the blades 3 are in no contact with the surface of the body rings 2a, 2b.

[0071] A first group (G1) of permanent magnets is arranged as coupling elements 4 in the inner body ring 2a, and a second group (G2) of permanent magnets is arranged as coupling elements 5 in the outer body ring 2b. Due to the mechanical connection, the action areas 3a are assigned to the first group G1 of coupling elements 4, and the action areas 3b to the second group G2 of coupling elements 5. The coupling elements 4, 5 are located axially spaced below the action areas 3a, 3b and offset from them in the circumferential direction. As a result, in an axial view of the impeller, the coupling elements 4, 5 are located between the action areas 3a, 3b of adjacent blades 3 in the circumferential direction.

[0072] There is no rigid connection between the impact areas 3a, 3b as well as between the coupling elements 4, 5 of the two groups, but only a flexible connection via the flexible areas of the blade 3, which extend in the radial direction between the impact areas 3a, 3b.

[0073] The drive, here axially below the impeller, has two drive rings 6a, 6b, which are preferably arranged axially aligned with the body rings 2a, 2b and in turn have coupling elements 7 and 8. The inner drive ring 6a is also referred to as a ring, although in this design it does not have a central opening.

[0074] With the coupling elements 7 of the inner drive ring 6a and the coupling elements 8 of the outer drive ring 6b, two, preferably independent, rotating magnetic fields can be generated by rotating the drive rings 6a, 6b around the rotation axis 9, so that the inner body ring 2a of the impeller can be driven by the inner drive ring 6a and its coupling elements 7 through the magnetic interaction with the coupling elements 4 of the first group G1, and the outer body ring 2b of the impeller can be driven by the outer drive ring 6b and its coupling elements 8 through the magnetic interaction with the coupling elements 5 of the second group G2. The impeller as a whole is thus driven by both drive rings 6a, 6b and the two magnetic fields generated thereby.

[0075] By a phase shift of the rotational angle position of the two drive rings 6a, 6b relative to each other, a phase shift between the rotating magnetic fields is generated, which is transferred to the body rings 2a and 2b, so that depending on the set phase shift, different forces can be exerted on the action areas 3a, 3b of the blades 3, which are connected via the body rings 2a, 2b to the two groups G1, G2 of the coupling elements 4 and 5.

[0076] Figure 1A shows a first possible phase position and Figure 1B shows a second possible phase position, i.e. a shift of the phases between the situations in Figures 1A and 1B.

[0077] It can be seen that, according to Figure 1 A, the blades are all aligned exactly radially in a straight line due to the forces acting on the action areas 3a, 3b of the blades 3.

[0078] In Figure 1B, however, different forces act on the action areas 3a, 3b, causing them to change their position relative to the body rings 2a, 2b and the shape of the blades 3 compared to the situation in Figure 1A. This results in a change in the impeller geometry, in which the inflow and outflow angles of the blades remain the same due to the rotationally fixed attachment of the action areas 3a, 3b to the body rings 2a, 2b, and the wrap angles of the blades 3 change.

[0079] This change in the geometry of the impeller can be achieved solely by changing the phase position of the drive rings 6a, 6b relative to each other.

[0080] Figures 1C and 1D show the arrangement of impeller and drive according to Figures 1A and 1B within a pump. Here, the impeller 1 is surrounded by a pump housing 11. The drive rings 6a and 6 can be surrounded by a drive housing / motor housing 12. The magnetic fields generated act through the housing wall of the pump housing 11 and / or drive housing / motor housing 12. For reasons of clarity, the other reference numerals, which are identical to Figures 1A and 1B, are not shown in Figures 1C and 1D. Compared to Figures 1, Figures 2 show a modification in which the body rings 2a, 2b are supported on one another in the axial direction. For this purpose, a step 9 is formed in each of the radially opposite circumferential surfaces of the body rings 2a, 2b. The axially oriented surfaces of the steps 9 contact one another.

[0081] All other features of Figures 1A, 1B, and 2 are identical. The design according to Figure 2 can also be arranged in a pump housing and / or drive housing / motor housing, analogous to Figures 1C and 1D.

[0082] Figures 3 show a further modification in which, compared to Figures 1 and 2, the body rings 2a, 2b each have an axially lower body ring (2a1, 2b1) and upper body ring (2a2, 2b2), between which the blades are arranged.

[0083] In contrast to Figures 1 and 2, the blades with their impact areas 3a, 3b are mounted on the body rings 2a and 2b for rotation about pivot bearings 10, but they could also be fixed in a rotationally fixed manner. All other features are identical to Figures 1 and 2. The pivot bearings 10 can be freely rotatable or, for example, can be implemented by a twistable rod to which the impact areas are attached.

[0084] All other features of Figures 1, 2, and 3 are identical. The design according to Figure 3 can also be arranged in a pump housing and / or drive housing / motor housing, analogous to Figures 1C and 1D.

[0085] Figure 4 shows a design according to Figure 2, in which only the rotationally fixed fastening of the impact areas 3a, 3b to the body rings 2a, 2b is replaced by rotatable fastenings using pivot bearings 10. All other features of Figures 2 and 4 are identical. The design according to Figure 4 can also be arranged in a pump housing and / or drive housing / motor housing, analogous to Figures 1C and 1D.

[0086] In Figures 3 and 4, in comparison to Figures 1 and 2, it can be seen that due to the respective rotatable fastening between the action areas 3a, 3b and the body rings 2a, 2b, the inflow angle and the outflow angle of the blades 3 at their radial ends change with the phase shift between the drive rings 6a, 6b and the body rings 2a, 2b.

[0087] Figures 5 show a modification of all other embodiments, according to which the impeller body 2 has only one radially inner body ring 2a, in which the coupling elements 4 of the first group G1 are arranged. The blades 3 are attached to this impeller body 2 with their radially inner action areas 3a.

[0088] The blades 3 protrude beyond the body ring 2a with their radially outer ends, where they each form free impact zones 3b which, viewed in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis 9, are not connected to one another. Here, the coupling elements 4 of the first group G1 are arranged in the impeller body 2, as in the other designs, but not offset from the impact zones, but axially spaced and aligned with them, i.e. directly beneath the impact zones. The coupling elements 5 of the second group G2, on the other hand, are integrated directly in the impact zone 3b of the blades 3; in particular, the coupling elements 5 of the second group are therefore not rigidly connected to one another. The coupling elements of the two groups G1 and G2 are in the same axial position.

[0089] The drive rings 6a, 6b are designed as in the other figures. In the same way as in the other designs, the free action areas 3b can be moved relative to the action areas 3a by changing the phase position (angle of rotation) of the drive rings 6a, 6b relative to each other, which significantly changes the wrap angle of the blades 3.

[0090] In order to accommodate the coupling elements 5, the radially outer ends of the blades 3 are thicker than the radially inner ends.

[0091] The embodiment according to Figures 5 can also be arranged in a pump housing and / or drive housing / motor housing, analogous to Figures 1C and 1D.

[0092] Figures 6 show a modification compared to the embodiment of Figures 5, according to which the impeller body 2 has only one radially outer body ring 2b, in which the coupling elements 5 of the second group G2 are arranged. The blades 3 are attached to this impeller body 2 with their radially outer action areas 3b, in this case in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0093] The blades 3 protrude with their radially inner ends beyond the body ring 2b and there each form free action zones 3a which, viewed in the circumferential direction around the axis of rotation 9, are not connected to one another. Here, the coupling elements 5 of the second group G2 are arranged in the impeller body 2, as in the other designs, but not offset from the action zones, but axially spaced and aligned with them, i.e. directly beneath the action zones. The coupling elements 4 of the first group G1, on the other hand, are integrated directly in the action zone 3a of the blades 3; in particular, the coupling elements 4 of the first group are therefore not rigidly connected to one another. The coupling elements of the two groups G1 and G2 are in the same axial position here, as is the case in all the embodiments shown. The drive rings 6a, 6b are designed as in the other figures.

[0094] In the same way as in the other embodiments, the free action areas 3a can be moved relative to the action areas 3b by changing the phase position (angle of rotation) of the drive rings 6a, 6b relative to each other, whereby the wrap angle of the blades 3 changes significantly.

[0095] In order to accommodate the coupling elements 4, the radially inner ends of the blades 3 are sufficiently thick, but in particular not thicker than the radially outer ends.

[0096] The embodiment according to Figure 6 can also be arranged in a pump housing and / or drive housing / motor housing, analogous to Figures 1C and 1D.

Claims

Patent claims 1 . Impeller of a pump, in particular a blood pump, with a plurality of blades (3), which has magnetically acting coupling elements (4, 5) arranged around a rotation axis (9), in particular wherein the impeller can be set into rotation without contact by magnetic interaction of the coupling elements (4, 5) with a rotating magnetic field, characterized in that the blades (3) each have at least two flexibly connected action areas (3a, 3b) spaced apart from one another, on which forces can be exerted by means of a magnetic field, with which forces the relative position of the action areas (3a, 3b) to one another can be changed.

2. Impeller according to claim 1, characterized in that a respective area of ​​action (3a, 3b) comprises at least one magnetically acting coupling element (4, 5) or is connected to at least one magnetically acting coupling element (4, 5).

3. Impeller according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a. it comprises at least two groups (G1, G2), preferably at least two groups (G1, G2) of magnetically acting coupling elements (4, 5) spaced apart in the radial direction, and b. the blades (3) each have at least two spaced-apart action areas (3a, 3b), preferably at least two in have radially spaced-apart action areas (3a, 3b), to which at least one coupling element (4, 5) of a different group (G1, G2) is assigned, in particular by a connection between the action area (3a, 3b) and the at least one assigned coupling element (4, 5) or by integration of the at least one assigned coupling element (4, 5) into the action area (3a, 3b), c. wherein the impeller geometry can be changed by a relative movement, in particular around the axis of rotation (9), between the at least two groups (G1, G2) of coupling elements (4, 5).

4. Impeller according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the impeller has an impeller body (2) in which one of the groups (G1, G2) of coupling elements (4, 5) is arranged, wherein a. all radially inner action regions (3a), in particular the radially inner ends of the blades (3), are fastened to the impeller body (2), in particular on its upper side, and the radially outer action regions (3b), in particular radially outer ends of the blades (3), form free action regions (3b) which project outwards beyond the impeller body (2) in the radially outer action region (3b), wherein at least one coupling element (5) of at least one other group (G2) is arranged in the radially outer action region (3b) of a respective blade (3), or b.the impeller body (2) forms a ring to which the radially outer action areas (3b), in particular the radially outer ends of the blades (3) are fastened, in particular on its surface, and the radially inner ones. Influence areas (3a), in particular radially inner ends of the blades form free influence areas (3a) which project inwards in the radial direction beyond the impeller body (2), wherein at least one coupling element (4) of another group is arranged in the radially inner influence area (3a) of a respective blade (3).

5. Impeller according to claim 4, characterized in that the free action areas (3a, 3b) project in the axial direction beyond the surface of the impeller body (2) to which the blade (3) with the other action area (3b, 3a) is fastened.

6. Impeller according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the thickness of a blade (3) viewed in the circumferential direction around the axis of rotation (9) increases from the area of ​​influence (3a, 3b) attached to the impeller body towards the free area of ​​influence (3b, 3a).

7. Impeller according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the impeller has an impeller body (2a, 2b) which is divided into at least two body rings (2a, 2b) which are concentric with the axis of rotation (9) and lie one inside the other and which are rotatable relative to one another about the axis of rotation (9), in particular wherein the number of body rings (2a, 2b) corresponds to the number of groups (G1, G2) of coupling elements (4, 5), wherein the coupling elements (4, 5) of a different group (G1, G2) are arranged in each body ring (2a, 2b) and the action areas (3a, 3b) connected to the coupling elements (4, 5) of a specific group (G1, G2) are fastened to the body ring (2a, 2b) which comprises the coupling elements (4, 5) of this specific group (G1, G2).

8. Impeller according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one, in particular each with the impeller body (2, 2a, 2b), in particular an area of ​​influence (3a, 3b) connected to a body ring (2a, 2b) of the impeller body (2, 2a, 2b), a. is connected to the impeller body (2, 2a, 2b) in a rotationally fixed manner, in particular to the body ring (2a, 2b), or b. is connected to the impeller body (2, 2a, 2b), in particular to the body ring (2a, 2b) in a rotationally fixed manner, in particular in a freely rotatable manner or in a rotationally fixed manner against a restoring force.

9. Impeller according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the impeller body (2, 2a, 2b), in particular each body ring (2a, 2b) of the impeller body (2, 2a, 2b), comprises a lower and an upper body part (2a1, 2b1, 2a2, 2b2), between which the blades (3) are arranged, preferably wherein the fastened action areas (3a, 3b) in the upper and lower body part (2a1, 2b1, 2a2, 2b2) are each fastened in a rotationally fixed or rotatable manner.

10. Impeller according to one of the preceding claims 7 to 9, characterized in that two radially adjacent body rings (2a, 2b) are supported on one another in the axial direction, preferably for which purpose step surfaces (9) are formed in the radially opposite surfaces of the adjacent body rings (2a, 2b), preferably which are opposite one another around a common plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation (9). 11 . Impeller according to one of the preceding claims 7 to 10, characterized in that between two radially spaced action areas (3a, 3b) connected to body rings (2a, 2b), in particular connected in a rotationally fixed manner, the blade (3) is in no contact with the body rings (2a, 2b).

12. Impeller according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling elements (4, 5) of all groups (G1, G2) are arranged in a common plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation (9) or around a common plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation (9).

13. Impeller according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling elements (4, 5) of all groups (G1, G2) are designed as permanent magnets.

14. Pump comprising a pump housing with an impeller having blades (3) which has magnetically acting coupling elements (4, 5) and comprising a magnetically acting drive (6a, 6b) for generating at least one rotated magnetic field with which the impeller can be set in rotation without contact, characterized in that the impeller is designed according to one of the preceding claims and with the drive (6a, 6b) at least two magnetic fields which can be rotated / rotated about the axis of rotation of the impeller and which can be phase-shifted relative to one another can be generated, wherein each of the rotatable / rotated magnetic fields interacts with a different group (G1, G2) of coupling elements (4, 5) of the impeller.

15. Pump according to claim 14, characterized in that the drive comprises a plurality of drive units (6a, 6b), in particular drive rings (6a, 6b), which are concentric about the axis of rotation, preferably lying one inside the other and which can be phase-shifted relative to one another in the angular position about the axis of rotation (9), wherein each drive unit (6a, 6b) comprises a group of coupling elements (7, 8), in particular permanent magnets or coils, which magnetically interact with an axially opposite group (G1, G2) of coupling elements (4, 5) of the impeller.

16. Pump according to claim 14, characterized in that the drive comprises at least one arrangement of stationary coils with which at least two rotating magnetic fields which are phase-shiftable relative to one another can be generated by electrical control, each of the generated magnetic fields cooperating with a different group (G1, G2) of coupling elements (4, 5) of the impeller.

17. Pump according to claim 14, characterized in that the drive comprises at least one arrangement of stationary coils for generating a rotated magnetic field and at least one drive unit rotatable about the axis of rotation (9) with coupling elements for generating at least one further rotated magnetic field, wherein each of the rotated magnetic fields interacts with another group (G1, G2) of coupling elements (4, 5) in the impeller.

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