Compressible motor, embedded component body, and blood pump

Abstract

To provide a motor which can be transported through a narrow width conduit.SOLUTION: A motor has a stator 2 and a rotor 1 driven around an axial direction 4. At least one of the stator 2 and the rotor 1, especially the stator 2 has a winding component body to which current can be supplied, and is compressible and expandable in a radial direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the fields of mechanics and electrical engineering, and more advantageously can be used in the field of micromechanics. Among others, applications in medical engineering are particularly advantageous.

Background Art

[0002] When introducing an assembly into a conduit system or into a location that is particularly difficult to access, problems often occur, similar to when embedding the assembly into a patient's body. This is due to the fact that this type of assembly must be taken through the narrowest possible through-opening or conduit to its target position, but once it reaches the target position, it should provide maximum effect, particularly depending on its maximum dimensions.

[0003] In medical engineering, for this purpose, it is known to adopt the method in which the corresponding assembly is compressed before being introduced into a patient's body to the target location, inserted in the compressed state, and then expanded. This has already been applied for some time in the case of expandable heart support catheter pumps and also in the case of implantable stents. In non-medical fields, as an example, inspection cradles can be sent through tubes and, once they reach a larger cavity, can be expanded in the same way or can be used to deploy appropriate tools or sensors.

[0004] In the medical field, heretofore, drivable expandable assemblies have been driven by motors outside the body using flexible shafts when implanted. In the case of a heart assist blood pump, for example, the pump rotor is connected to a motor outside the body by a port using a flexible shaft, and the flexible shaft extends through a hollow catheter in a blood vessel. Very high demands may be placed on this type of transfer system, for example in the form of a flexible shaft. The reason is that these high rotational speeds have to be transmitted over a relatively long period of time without significant wear and usually under suboptimal lubrication conditions. Therefore, it would be advantageous if this type of transfer system could be dispensed with.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Therefore, in view of the background of the prior art, an object of the present invention is to design a motor such that the motor can be transported through a narrow conduit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] That object is achieved by the features of the present invention according to claim 1. Claim 1 relates to a motor according to the present invention, and claims 2 to 18 dependent on claim 1 specify advantageous embodiments of the present invention. Claim 19 relates to an implantable assembly, and claims 20 to 24 relate to a pump according to the present invention.

[0008] The motor according to the invention has a stator and a rotor which can be driven around an axial direction. In order to achieve the object, at least one of these, in particular the stator, has a winding assembly which can be supplied with current and is compressible and expandable in the radial direction.

[0009] Within the scope of the present invention, the term "radial compressibility" should be understood to mean that the diameter of the part in question can be reduced at least partially with respect to the axis of rotation of the motor. This can include all possibilities of a uniform diameter reduction, in which case, without otherwise changing in shape, simply the diameter of the cylindrical body part changes. However, radial compressibility can also be understood to mean simply a reduction in the diameter of the stator and / or rotor at one axis, which can be caused, for example, by pressing the part flat or, if the part (stator and / or rotor) is composed of different circular disks, by tilting the circular disks with respect to the axis of rotation. In certain cases, the diameter is reduced in a first direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation, while the diameter remains constant in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0010] This type of compressible stator having a winding structure that can be supplied with current is not known in the prior art. According to the present invention, among other things, the winding structure itself can be compressible in the radial direction. This type of winding structure can be compressed before being introduced into the conduit, whereby, among other things, when the stator determines the outer diameter of the motor, the overall diameter of the motor is reduced. As an example, the stator can surround the rotor coaxially in the operating state. In this case, the radial compression of the stator is equivalent to the radial compression of the motor. Also, the stator can be surrounded by a housing. For example, the housing can be elastic and can then be compressed and expanded together with the stator. As an example, the housing can be substantially composed of an elastic film, and the elastic film is stretched over the stator. However, it is also possible that the motor does not have a housing.

[0011] When the stator surrounds the rotor coaxially, the possibility regarding the compression of the stator is narrowly restricted by the rotor arranged inside. Advantageously, for example, the rotor and the stator can be displaced axially relative to each other between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the stator is compressible in the radial direction, and in the second position, when the stator is expanded in the radial direction, further compression of the stator is possible. In this case, for the compression of the stator, the rotor can first be slid axially out of the stator, and then the stator can be compressed, for example, up to the outer diameter of the rotor. Then, the stator and the rotor can be slid axially in sequence through the conduit to the target position. Therefore, if the rotor itself is not compressible, further compression of the stator below the outer dimensions of the rotor is not provided or is not possible in some exemplary embodiments.

[0012] When the stator and the rotor reach the target position, the stator can be expanded again or can automatically expand, and the rotor can be drawn axially into the stator.

[0013] Also, in that the rotor is displaced or drawn into the stator and is expanded radially during this displacement movement, the stator can be expanded radially. For this purpose, the rotor can be formed at least partially in a tapered manner with a conical shape.

[0014] According to a further advantageous modification of the invention, the rotor is radially compressible. If the rotor is also radially compressible, the rotor in the modification can remain in the stator, and both can be compressed radially together, or otherwise, the rotor can be displaced out of the stator and both can be compressed radially independently of each other.

[0015] As an example, for this purpose, the rotor can have a plurality of magnets, which can be referred to as magnetic components, and the plurality of magnets can be reversibly movable relative to each other, especially in the axial direction. As an example, the rotor can have permanent magnets or electromagnets with a ferromagnetic core, which will each be designated as magnetic components. Such magnets can be divided into magnetic segments respectively so that the individual segments of the magnet can be displaced relative to each other, and the diameter of the rotor is reduced by reducing the radial dimension of the magnet.

[0016] As an example, at least one magnet can be composed of a plurality of wedge-shaped segments, and the wedge-shaped segments can be pushed axially together and away from each other, and when pushed away from each other, they take up less space as a whole than when pushed together when considered radially. However, other different plane divisions can also be provided, and it is also conceivable to displace the individual segments of the magnet in the circumferential direction of the rotor and / or in the radial direction of the motor. Also, the segments of the magnet can be referred to as magnetic components, and thus the term "magnetic component" includes both the segments of the magnet and the magnet as a whole.

[0017] It is important that the movement of the magnet or the segments of the magnet described leads to a reduction in diameter, is reversible, and can be reversed in a simple manner for the subsequent expansion of the rotor.

[0018] To enable the simplest possible radial compression of the stator, the winding assembly can advantageously have, for example, at least one sub-winding, and at least one sub-winding is reversibly deformable. As an example, this type of sub-winding can be elastic and can contain, for example, elastic leads, which enable a temporary deformation of the sub-winding. This type of deformation can be both elastic and plastic.

[0019] Also, it is possible that the winding assembly has at least two sub-windings, and at least two sub-windings can be reversibly displaced relative to each other. For example, this type of sub-winding does not have to be shaped, or can be shaped with a rigid or elastic shaping material, and in the case of radial compression of the stator, can be stacked in a manner similar to the shingles of a roof, and in particular in the circumferential direction of the stator, one can be slid over the other. However, if the rotor is removed from the stator, pivoting or rotation of the sub-windings is also conceivable.

[0020] Regarding the improved deformability of the winding assembly, the winding assembly can have, for example, at least one sub-winding shaped with an elastic material. As an example, the sub-winding can be shaped with an elastomer, for example, a silicone elastomer, or with a rubber material. Also, larger parts of the winding assembly can be shaped with this type of elastic material, for example, the entire winding assembly.

[0021] To increase effectiveness, the elastic matrix can be provided, in particular on the outside, with a ferromagnetic filler.

[0022] When the individual parts of the winding assembly are each molded separately, for example, when the sub-winding has elastic leads and / or when it is molded from an elastic material, the elastic deformability can thereby also be combined with displaceability.

[0023] As an example, the winding assembly can also at least partially have leads made of a shape memory alloy. In this case, the sub-winding or the entire winding assembly can assume the desired shape and size at the target location, for example, by a selective setting of the target temperature. In the case of medical applications, the alloy can be set, for example, such that the winding assembly assumes the desired target shape when the patient's body temperature is assumed.

[0024] In the case of a winding assembly composed of a plurality of sub-windings movable relative to each other, in order to ensure a reproducible process of repeated compression and expansion, as well as compression movement and expansion movement, for example, it may be advantageous if the winding assembly has bending regions and / or torsion regions defined between parts movable relative to each other. This type of bending region and / or torsion region can be provided, for example, by providing a length portion of a lead formed as a stranded wire, or, in particular, by a thin lead region, in the form of a soft and / or flexible lead part.

[0025] In the case of a motor of the type described above, in order to enable the rotor and the stator to be displaced relative to each other to a target position even from a certain distance, the present invention advantageously provides a connecting part that extends away from the motor, and by means of the connecting part, the rotor and the stator can be displaced axially relative to each other. The connecting part can be formed as a typical operating part in a manner such as a Bowden cable, and different parts of the connecting part can be connected to the stator on the one hand and to the rotor on the other hand.

[0026] The connecting component enables relative displacement of the stator and the rotor, and thus the rotor to be pulled into the stator at the target position. The stator is either already pre-expanded or radially expanded by pulling the rotor into the stator.

[0027] The present invention also relates to an implantable structure having a hollow catheter and a stator and a rotor disposed in a compressed state within the hollow catheter. Within the scope of this type of implantable structure, a radially compressible motor can be easily pulled into the hollow catheter, and the motor is typically received within the hollow catheter in a compressed form. The hollow catheter is then introduced, for example, through a port into a patient's blood vessel, displaced therethrough, and brought to a target position, for example, into the aortic arch, a heart valve, or a ventricle. The hollow catheter can then be withdrawn, and the motor can slide out of the hollow catheter and be radially expanded either during or after this process.

[0028] The present invention also relates to a motor and an implantable structure of the type described above, and also to a method for positioning a motor of the type described. The stator and the rotor are displaced through a conduit to a target position, at least the stator is radially compressed, and at least the stator is then radially expanded.

[0029] According to an advantageous embodiment of the method, when the stator and the rotor are displaced to the target position, the stator and the rotor are displaced axially relative to each other.

[0030] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a pump containing a motor, particularly a blood pump, wherein the motor has a stator and a rotor that can be driven around an axial direction, and at least one of these, particularly the stator, has a winding structure that can be supplied with current and is compressible and expandable in the radial direction. Here, the motor and the pump are preferably firmly integrated with each other. Thus, it is possible to create a pump with a particularly small structure. In particular, it is advantageous that a pump having a very small radial diameter can be taken to the site of use and then expanded radially there to provide actual pump performance.

[0031] Here, according to an embodiment, the rotor is connected to a pump rotor, and the pump rotor has a blade configuration for conveying fluid. As an example, the pump rotor can be mounted on the actual magnetic rotor or can surround it radially. However, it is also possible for them to be interconnected in another way, for example, in that the magnetic rotor is molded / embedded in the pump rotor.

[0032] According to a further embodiment, the pump rotor is at least partially positioned within the stator in the operating state. Thus, a radially laminated arrangement is provided in the operating state, which proceeds from the outside in the radial direction towards the center as 1 . stator, 2. pump rotor, 3. magnetic rotor. In other forms in which the pump rotor and the magnetic motor are interconnected, this can potentially be different.

[0033] According to an advantageous embodiment, the pump rotor is compressible in the radial direction, and in particular, the pump rotor is elastically compressible in the radial direction. Here, according to a variant, the blade configuration of the pump rotor is mainly elastically compressible and supports, for example, the hub of the pump rotor.

[0034] Different variants of the pump according to the invention are possible, and all variants of the motor according to the invention can be used for pumps.

[0035] The present invention will be shown in various figures and described hereinafter based on exemplary embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0036]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4a

Figure 4b

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

Figure 19

Figure 20

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0037] Figure 1 schematically shows in longitudinal section the stator 2 and the rotor 1 of an electric motor. Further parts and details are omitted for clarity. The stator has a cylindrically shaped winding assembly shown schematically, which may be composed of one or more sub-windings. The rotor 1 has at least one permanent magnet and a hub, which is connected to the shaft 3. The poles of the rotor 1, or the poles of one magnet / plurality of magnets of the rotor 1, can be driven by the magnetic field of the stator 2. The shaft 3 is normally rotatably mounted at one or more points within a sliding bearing or a ball bearing. The bearing can be fixedly connected, for example, to the stator 2, or to the housing (not shown) of the stator or the motor as a whole. In Figure 1, it can be seen that the stator surrounds the rotor 1 concentrically and coaxially, and that the stator has a diameter D in the radially expanded state shown here.

[0038] Figure 2 shows the components of the motor already illustrated in Figure 1, specifically the winding assembly of the rotor 1 and the stator 2, with the rotor and the stator being separated from each other in the axial direction 4. In this state, the stator and the rotor do not overlap each other in the axial direction. The stator is generally radially compressed to a diameter d by radial compression of the winding assembly, and the diameter d is less than or equal to the outer diameter of the rotor 1.

[0039] Thus, due to the dividability of the motor and the displaceability of the stator relative to the rotor, it is clear that the stator is radially compressible as soon as the rotor is removed from the stator.

[0040] Regardless of this, and in addition, the rotor may also be compressible in the radial direction. Also, in this case, the stator and the rotor may be compressed together in the radial direction in the assembled state, or may be displaced axially relative to each other, and both may be compressed separately in the radial direction. In the latter case, it is not necessary but useful that both parts, i.e., both the stator and the rotor, are compressible to approximately the same outer diameter.

[0041] Figure 3 shows, in the upper region, the first lead 5 of the winding assembly of the motor according to the present invention in a compressed state, and the lead extends in a helical manner. When the winding assembly or sub-winding is formed from this lead that extends in a helical manner, this winding assembly or sub-winding can expand radially when the winding wire 5 is expanded and can be compressed again radially later. In the lower region of Figure 3, lead 6 is shown, and lead 6 has a contorted shape in the compressed state, and the contorted shape can be expanded when transitioning to the expanded state.

[0042] In Figure 4a, the helical lead 5 in the compressed state is schematically shown in the left figure, which is also schematically shown in the form of a circular ring in the compressed state, and the form of the circular ring symbolizes the winding assembly. In the right figure of Figure 4a, the expanded form of the stator is shown in a view in the axial direction, the winding lead(s) is / are stretched, and thus the winding assembly and / or sub-winding is / are also expanded. The stator shown in the right figure of Figure 4a has an enlarged diameter D, while in the compressed state shown in the left figure of Figure 4a, it has a reduced diameter d.

[0043] In FIG. 4b, the compressed lead 6 is shown in a convoluted form, which, when considered in the axial direction, is arranged in a circular ring form, which represents the stator winding assembly. The assembly has a compressed outer diameter d. In the right-hand view of FIG. 4b, the same stator is shown in a radially expanded state, with the winding leads being stretched or at least further expanded than in the compressed state.

[0044] The transition between the compressed state and the expanded state of the stator can be achieved, for example, by the application of a force, in which case the stator is brought into the compressed form by an external radial pressure and, when the external radial compressive force is cancelled, spontaneously and elastically expands again.

[0045] Conversely, the stator can also have a reduced diameter without the application of an external force and can be expandable by the application of a force.

[0046] As a further alternative, the winding assembly can also have leads made from what is known as a shape memory alloy, which changes its shape, for example, when a temperature change occurs and has a reproducible shape in a defined temperature range. Such shape memory alloys can be, for example, NiTi (nickel-titanium; nitinol), NiTiCu (nickel-titanium-copper), CuZn (copper-zinc), CuZnAl (copper-zinc-aluminium), CuAlNi (copper-aluminium-nickel), FeNiAl (iron-nickel-aluminium), or FeMnSi (iron-manganese-silicon). Also, this type of alloy can be referred to as a superelastic alloy.

[0047] In addition to the described characteristics of the winding structure, molding of the entire winding structure or individual sub-windings made of an elastic material such as silicone elastomer or rubber may also be provided, which is itself elastically deformable. Also, it is possible that there is no molding of the winding structure, or that there is molding made of a non-elastic material, in which case the molding of the individual sub-windings is performed separately and the sub-windings are mutually movable with respect to each other together with their respective molding materials. Such a configuration will be further discussed in more detail below.

[0048] Figure 5 shows in perspective a winding structure having a substantially hollow cylindrical shape, which is composed of a plurality of sub-windings. Each sub-winding is composed of a plurality of turns of a lead and has two electrical terminals for voltage supply and current supply. Also, the winding structure as a whole can have terminal leads or electrical terminals.

[0049] Each sub-winding of the illustrated winding structure has a basic diamond shape in the unwound state. The individual sub-windings overlap each other in the circumferential direction of the winding structure. The individual sub-windings 7, 8 of the winding structure of Figure 5 have electrical terminals 9, 10 for supplying current to the stator winding structure.

[0050] In Figure 6, an individual sub-winding 7 is shown, symbolized by the individual turns of the winding lead and designated by reference numeral 11. The sub-winding 11 has two electrical connections 12, 13 for supplying current. In Figure 6, a hollow cylinder is schematically shown, and over its peripheral portion, partially cylindrical sub-windings are distributed in an overlapping manner and are offset from each other in the circumferential direction.

[0051] In FIG. 7, a plurality of sub-coils 7, 8 of the coil structure are schematically shown from the perspective of the axial direction. Each of the individual sub-coils 7, 8 has a radially outer portion 7a and a radially inner portion 7b, respectively. The radially inner portion of each is such that the next sub-coil 8 is stacked thereon. More specifically, the radially outer portion of the next sub-coil 8 is stacked thereon. Thus, a sequential laminated structure like that of overlapping roof tiles of the sub-coils is provided along the circumferential line of the stator.

[0052] When the sub-coils are mutually movable, they can be further slid over one another in a manner like that of the boards of a tiled roof. Thus, the diameter of the overall structure, the peripheral part of the coil structure, can be reduced. An example of the compressed state of such a compression movement is shown in FIG. 8. In FIG. 8, in each case, two coils 7, 8 are slid over one another such that they completely overlap one another in the circumferential direction of the coil structure. This slidability of the individual sub-coils over one another is considered both in the case of non-molded sub-coils and in the case of molded sub-coils. When the individual sub-coils are molded, it is advantageous if the molding material allows easy sliding of the two body parts constituting it relative to one another.

[0053] FIG. 9 shows in longitudinal section a motor having a stator 2 and a rotor 1 expanded in the radial direction. It has an enclosure structure 14 in the form of a hollow cylinder. The enclosure structure 14 surrounds the magnet body part of the rotor and also carries, for example, bearings 15, 16. The shaft 3 of the rotor is mounted with slight friction in the bearings 15, 16, and the bearings 15, 16 can be formed as sliding bearings or ball bearings. The overall structure diameter of the motor according to FIG. 9 in the expanded and assembled state ready for operation is specified by D.

[0054] In contrast, the same motor having the same components (i.e., a rotor encapsulated within the surrounding configuration 14 and a stator 2 having a winding configuration) is illustrated in FIG. 10 in a compressed state, with the stator 2 displaced axially relative to the rotor 1 to such an extent that the rotor is positioned outside the stator. The stator 2 can then be compressed radially independently of the rotor 1 up to the outer diameter of the rotor.

[0055] FIG. 11 shows the design of a motor having a rotor 1' and a stator 2', which are illustrated in a compressed position axially separated from each other. The rotor 1' has a surrounding configuration in which a magnet configuration of the rotor supported by two bearings can rotate. The surrounding configuration of the rotor has a conical tapered portion 17 and a connection to a strand-shaped operating part 18, the operating part 18 being fixed to the surrounding configuration or the bearing and enabling axial relative movement of the rotor with respect to the stator 2'. At the same time, the stator 2' is connected to a second operating part 19, for example in the form of a tube or a hose, and for example the operating part 18 can be guided through the second operating part 19. The operating parts 18, 19 together form connection parts to the motor, and the operating parts 18, 19 can be actuated together from a remote location to effect relative movement of the stator and the rotor with respect to each other and, for example, to expand them radially by inserting the surrounding configuration of the rotor 1' into the winding configuration of the stator 2'.

[0056] FIG. 12 shows a specific winding configuration composed of four separate sub-windings 20, 21, 22, 23 separately molded from an elastic material. Each of these sub-windings is formed as part of a hollow cylinder, and the sub-windings can be assembled in a state where their molded body parts form an overall hollow cylinder.

[0057] When a force acts radially outwardly on the winding structure from above, an array configuration as shown in FIG. 13 is provided, in which the individual molded body parts and sub-windings are bent radially inwards. The individual molded body parts of the sub-windings can be movably connected to each other, for example by integral hinges. In the state shown in FIG. 13, the winding structure already occupies a considerably smaller space radially than in the form shown in FIG. 12. By further radial compression, the individual sub-windings are further compressed radially inwards, which is additionally made possible by the deformability of the molded body parts. By complete compression, the form shown in FIG. 14 is provided. This can be automatically expandable to return to the form shown in FIG. 12 by canceling the compressive force acting radially inwards, and the restoring force can be applied, for example, by the elastically deformed molded body parts, or by the winding leads themselves, or by both together. Also, if the individual sub-windings are not molded, corresponding deformations of the winding leads can occur reversibly within each of the individual sub-windings.

[0058] FIG. 15 shows an axial explanatory view of two magnets 24, 25 arranged at right angles to each other, which can be driven in the magnetic field of the winding structure. The magnets 24, 25 are fixedly connected to the shaft 3 of the rotor.

[0059] FIG. 16 illustrates the splitting of magnet 24 along surface 26, whereby two segments 24a, 24b of magnet 24 are created, which respectively form magnet components. Magnet 24 in the state illustrated by the solid line has a cuboid form. An array configuration in which segment 24a is displaced in the axial direction 4 along surface 26 relative to segment 24b is shown in dotted line style. An expansion of magnet 24 is provided in the axial direction and, as specified in the figure on the right side of FIG. 16, a compression from diameter D to diameter d is provided in the radial direction. As a result of the rotor configuration shown, this can be compressible in the radial direction and the motor is designed to be compressible by the combined compression of the stator and rotor even in the assembled state, or the motor is designed to be compressible simply by the radial compression of the stator in a state where it is axially separated.

[0060] Therefore, the motor can be compressed to be carried to the site of its use. For example, the motor could be embeddable as a drive for a blood pump and displaced through a blood vessel, in a compressed state, to the site of use within the patient's body. There, the motor can be expanded, for example, as a blood pump, and in the expanded state, the motor can build the required torque, or the power required to drive the pump.

[0061] FIG. 17 shows a design modification example, in which the winding structure is divided into a plurality of sub-windings 27, 28. The plurality of sub-windings 27, 28 are each constructed in the form of a circular ring, arranged continuously in the axial direction, and form a hollow cylindrical winding structure. In such an arrangement, when the circular ring-shaped sub-winding is tilted, the cross-section of the winding means is thus elliptical. However, for the non-tilted arrangement, the diameter is compressed in the direction of axis 29. In the direction of axis 30 arranged at a right angle to this, the diameter remains the same. Nevertheless, a more preferred form for the positioning of the motor can be provided together with the tilted arrangement. The tilt can be reversed at any time following the positioning of the motor.

[0062] FIG. 18 shows a device composed of the stator according to FIG. 7, having windings 7, 8 already described in this specification. A pump rotor 29 that can be compressed in the radial direction is connected to the magnetic rotor 1'' in such a way that it can rotate around the same axis together with the rotor 1''. The magnetic rotor 1'' is positioned inside this stator. In an exemplary embodiment, the pump rotor is formed from an elastic material, preferably a super-elastic plastic material, which enables the pump rotor 29 to be crushed in the case of compression of the stator and to expand elastically or super- elastically back to its starting form in the case of expansion of the stator.

[0063] FIG. 19 schematically illustrates how the stator compresses in the same way as in FIG. 8, and the pump rotor 29 also takes a similarly compressed form. Here, the blades of the pump rotor are folded around the axis of the rotor and support the hub of the pump rotor.

[0064] Also, in principle, the device can be formed such that the rotor 1'' can be axially removed from the rotor in a manner corresponding to FIG. 20, together with the pump rotor 29. Thus, the pump rotor 29 and the stator are arranged axially continuously. In this state, the stator and the pump rotor can be compressed together, which allows for a further reduction in the compressed diameter compared to the embodiment of FIG. 19.

[0065] The pump rotor can, in principle, be formed in a very different manner. In addition to the variant formed from the elastic or superelastic plastic material shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, various other variants are known from the prior art, for example, U.S. Patent No. 4,753,221, U.S. Patent No. 5,749,855, U.S. Patent No. 7,393,181, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 0062597A1, European Patent Publication No. 2047873A1, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 0275884A1, European Patent Publication No. 2229965A1, International Publication No. 2010 / 149393A1, European Patent Publication No. 2299119A1, European Patent Publication No. 2338540A1, European Patent Publication No. 2338541A1, European Patent Publication No. 2363157, European Patent Publication No. 2407185A1, European Patent Publication No. 2407187A1, European Patent Publication No. 2407186A1.

[0066] <Appendix> [1] A motor having a stator (2, 2') and a rotor (1, 1') that can be driven around an axial direction (4), wherein at least one of the stator (2, 2') and the rotor (1, 1'), in particular the stator (2, 2'), has a winding configuration (7, 8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28) that can be supplied with current, and is characterized by being compressible and expandable in the radial direction. [2] The motor according to item [1] above, wherein the rotor (1, 1') and the stator (2, 2') can be mutually displaced in the axial direction (4) between a first position and a second position, and in the first position, the stator (2, 2') is radially compressible, and in the second position, the stator is radially expanded. [3] The motor according to item [1] or [2] above, wherein the rotor (1, 1') is radially compressible. [4] The motor according to item [3] above, wherein the rotor (1, 1') has a plurality of magnet components (24, 24a, 24b, 25), and the plurality of magnet components (24, 24a, 24b, 25) are mutually, especially, reversibly movable in the axial direction (4). [5] The motor according to any one of items [1] to [4] above, wherein the winding structure (7, 8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28) has at least one sub-winding (7, 8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28) that is reversibly deformable. [6] The motor according to any one of items [1] to [5] above, wherein the winding structure (7, 8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28) has at least two sub-windings (7, 8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28) that are mutually reversibly displaceable. [7] The motor according to item [6] above, wherein the sub-winding can be slid one on top of the other in a pattern like the shingles of a roof. [8] The motor according to any one of items [1] to [7] above, wherein the winding structure (7, 8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28) has at least one sub-winding formed of an elastic material. [9] The motor according to any one of items [1] to [8] above, wherein different sub-windings (7, 8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28) of the winding structure are molded into separate sub-body parts, and they are movable relative to each other.

[10] The motor according to any one of items [1] to [9] above, wherein the winding structure (7, 8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28) has leads (5, 6) at least partially composed of a shape memory alloy.

[11] The motor according to any one of items [1] to

[10] above, wherein the winding structure (7, 8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28) has bending regions and / or torsional regions defined between mutually movable parts.

[12] The motor according to any one of items [1] to

[11] above, wherein the motor includes connecting parts (18, 19), the connecting parts (18, 19) extend away from the motor, and the connecting parts (18, 19) enable the rotor (1, 1') and the stator (2, 2') to be displaceable relative to each other in the axial direction (4).

[13] An implantable structure having a hollow catheter and the motor according to any one of items [1] to

[12] above compressed and disposed within the hollow catheter.

[14] A method for positioning the motor according to any one of items [1] to

[12] above, wherein the stator (2, 2') and the rotor (1, 1') are displaced through a conduit to a target position, at least the stator is compressed in the radial direction, and at least the stator is then expanded in the radial direction.

[15] The method according to item

[14] above, wherein when the stator (2, 2') and the rotor (1, 1') are displaced to the target position, the stator and the rotor are displaced axially (4) relative to each other.

[16] A pump containing a motor, in particular a blood pump, wherein the motor has a stator (2, 2') and a rotor (1, 1') that can be driven around an axial direction (4), and at least one of the stator (2, 2') and the rotor (1, 1'), in particular the stator, has a winding structure (7, 8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28) that can be supplied with current, and is characterized by being compressible and expandable in the radial direction.

[17] The pump according to item

[16] above, wherein the rotor is connected to a pump rotor, and the pump rotor has a blade configuration for conveying fluid.

[18] The pump according to item

[17] above, wherein the pump rotor is at least partially positioned within the stator in the operating state.

[19] The pump according to item

[17] or

[18] above, wherein the pump rotor is compressible in the radial direction.

[20] The pump according to any one of items

[17] to

[19] above, wherein the pump rotor is elastically compressible in the radial direction.

[21] A pump having a compressible pump rotor, wherein the pump rotor is arranged in the motor according to any one of items [1] to

[12] above.

Claims

1. a stator arranged around the axial direction and having a hollow cylindrical winding arrangement that can be supplied with electric current, the winding arrangement being made up of a number of sub-windings, each of the sub-windings being made up of a number of windings of a lead, each of the sub-windings having two electrical terminals for voltage supply and current supply; a rotor disposed radially inside the hollow cylindrical shape of the stator and capable of being driven about the axis by a rotating magnetic field generated by supplying an electric current to the winding arrangement; the stator being radially compressible and expandable; the subwindings are slidable relative to one another in a manner similar to the shingles of a roof; A motor characterized by:

2. 2. The motor of claim 1, wherein at least one sub-winding is reversibly deformable.

3. 3. The motor of claim 1 or 2, wherein the winding arrangement is radially compressible and expandable by the sub-windings sliding circumferentially relative to one another to vary the amount of overlap between adjacent sub-windings.

4. 4. The motor according to claim 1, wherein the rotor is radially compressible and expandable.

5. a stator arranged around the axial direction and having a hollow cylindrical winding arrangement that can be supplied with electric current, the winding arrangement being made up of a number of sub-windings, each of the sub-windings being made up of a number of windings of a lead, each of the sub-windings having two electrical terminals for voltage supply and current supply; a rotor disposed radially inside the hollow cylindrical shape of the stator and capable of being driven about the axis by a rotating magnetic field generated by supplying an electric current to the winding arrangement; the rotor being radially compressible and expandable; The motor is characterized in that the rotor has at least two magnet parts, the at least two magnet parts being joined to each other at a surface inclined with respect to the axial direction, and the at least two magnet parts are reversibly movable relative to each other in the axial direction along the inclined surface to compress the rotor.

6. 6. The motor of claim 5, wherein the stator is radially compressible and expandable.

7. 7. A motor according to claim 1, wherein the rotor is connected to a pump rotor such that the rotor and the pump rotor rotate together about the same axis.

8. 8. The motor of claim 7, wherein the pump rotor includes blades that fold about the axis of the rotor when the pump rotor is compressed.

9. 9. The motor according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the pump rotor is made of a superelastic plastic material having elasticity.

10. 10. A motor as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the pump rotor is arranged to collapse when the stator is compressed.

11. 11. A motor as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the pump rotor is configured to undergo elastic or super-elastic expansion when the stator expands.

12. 12. A motor according to claim 1, wherein the rotor and the stator are relatively displaceable in the axial direction between a first position in which the rotor and the stator are separated from each other in the axial direction and a second position in which the rotor is located radially inside the stator, and wherein in the first position the stator is radially compressible and in the second position the stator is radially expanded.

13. 13. The motor of claim 12, wherein in the first position, the stator and the pump rotor are disposed consecutively in the axial direction such that the stator and the pump rotor are compressible together in the radial direction.

14. 14. A motor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the winding arrangement comprises at least one sub-winding moulded from a resilient material.

15. 15. The motor of claim 1, wherein the winding arrangement has at least two sub-windings molded in separate sub-bodies and movable relative to one another, the winding arrangement being radially compressible and expandable as the sub-bodies slide circumferentially relative to one another to vary the amount of overlap between adjacent sub-bodies.

16. 16. A motor as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the winding arrangement includes leads at least partially constructed from a shape memory alloy.

17. 17. The motor of claim 1, wherein the winding arrangement has a plurality of parts that are movable relative to one another and has bend and / or twist regions defined between the plurality of parts.

18. 18. The motor of claim 1, further comprising a first operative part having an end connected to the rotor and extending away from the rotor, and a second operative part having an end connected to the stator and extending away from the stator in the same direction as the first operative part; A motor characterized in that the rotor and the stator can be displaced relatively in the axial direction by moving the first operating part and the second operating part relatively along the direction in which the first and second operating parts extend.

19. 19. An implantable arrangement comprising a hollow catheter and a motor according to any one of claims 1 to 18 arranged in a compressed state within the hollow catheter.

20. A pump, characterized in that it comprises a motor according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

21. 21. The pump of claim 20, wherein the rotor is connected to a pump rotor such that the rotor and the pump rotor rotate together about the same axial direction, the pump rotor having a blade configuration for conveying a fluid.

22. 22. The pump of claim 21, wherein the blade arrangement folds about the axis of the pump rotor when the rotor is compressed.

23. 23. A pump as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the pump rotor is located at least partially within a hollow space within the hollow cylindrical shape of the stator when the pump is in operation.

24. 24. A pump according to any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein the pump is a blood pump.

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