Compressible motor, implantable component, 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 invention relates to the fields of mechanics and electrical engineering and can be used particularly advantageously in the field of micromechanics, among which applications in medical engineering are particularly advantageous. [Background technology]

[0002] Problems often arise when introducing assemblies into ductal systems or in particularly difficult to access locations, as well as when implanting assemblies into the patient's body, due to the fact that assemblies of this type must be brought to their target location through the narrowest possible through-openings or ducts, but once at the target location, they should provide the greatest possible effect, especially due to their largest dimensions.

[0003] In medical engineering, it is known for this purpose to employ a technique in which corresponding assemblies are compressed before being introduced into the patient's body to the target location, inserted in a compressed state and then expanded. This has already been applied before in the case of expandable cardiac support catheter pumps and also in the case of implantable stents. In the non-medical field, by way of example, examination cradles can be fed through tubes and can be expanded as well when they reach larger cavities or can be used to deploy appropriate tools or sensors.

[0004] In the medical field, up to now, drivable expandable assemblies, when implanted, are driven by a motor outside the body by means of a flexible shaft. In the case of a cardiac assist blood pump, for example, the pump rotor is connected by a port to a motor outside the body by means of a flexible shaft, which extends through a hollow catheter in a blood vessel. Very high demands can be placed on this type of transport system, for example in the form of a flexible shaft, since these high rotational speeds must be transmitted over a relatively long period of time without significant wear and under lubrication conditions that are usually not optimal. It would therefore be advantageous to be able to do without this type of transport system. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 138205 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 6,018,208 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Therefore, against the background of the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to design a motor such that it can be transported through narrow conduits. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The object is achieved by the features of the invention according to claim 1. Claim 1 relates to a motor according to the invention, claims 2 to 18 dependent thereon specify advantageous embodiments of the invention, claim 19 relates to an embedded arrangement and claims 20 to 24 relate to a pump according to the invention.

[0008] The motor according to the invention comprises a stator and a rotor that can be driven axially, and for the purposes of realising the objectives, at least one of these, in particular the stator, has a winding arrangement that can be supplied with electric current and is radially compressible and expandable.

[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 at least partially reduced with respect to the axis of rotation of the motor. This can include all possibilities of uniform diameter reduction, in which case the diameter of the cylindrical body part changes only, without otherwise changing in shape. However, radial compressibility can also be understood to mean a diameter reduction of the stator and / or rotor only in one axis, which is generated, for example, by pressing the parts flat or, if the parts (stator and / or rotor) consist 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] A compressible stator of this type with a winding arrangement that can be supplied with electric current is not known in the prior art. According to the invention, inter alia, the winding arrangement itself can be radially compressible. This type of winding arrangement can be compressed before being introduced into the conduit, thereby reducing the overall diameter of the motor, inter alia, when the stator determines the outer diameter of the motor. By way of example, the stator can coaxially surround the rotor in the operating state. In this case, the radial compression of the stator is equivalent to the radial compression of the motor. The stator can also be surrounded by a housing, which can be elastic, for example, and can then be compressible and expandable together with the stator. By way of example, the housing can be substantially composed of an elastic film, which is stretched over the stator. However, it is also possible that the motor does not have a housing.

[0011] When the stator coaxially surrounds the rotor, the possibilities for compression of the stator are narrowly limited by the rotor arranged inside. Advantageously, for example, the rotor and the stator can be mutually axially displaced between a first position and a second position, in which the stator is radially compressible and in the second position, further compression of the stator is possible when the stator is radially expanded. In this case, for compression of the stator, the rotor can first be axially slid out of the stator, and then the stator can be compressed, for example, to the outer diameter of the rotor. The stator and the rotor can then be axially slid in turn to the target position through the conduit. Thus, if the rotor itself is not compressible, further compression of the stator below the outer dimension of the rotor is not provided or is not possible in some exemplary embodiments.

[0012] When the stator and rotor reach the target position, the stator may be expanded again or may be allowed to expand automatically, and the rotor may be retracted axially into the stator.

[0013] The stator may also be radially expanded in that the rotor is displaced or drawn into the stator and is radially expanded during this displacement movement. To this end, the rotor may be formed in an at least partially conically tapering manner.

[0014] According to a further advantageous variant of the invention, the rotor is radially compressible, in which case it can remain in the stator and both can be radially compressed together, or it is also conceivable to displace the rotor out of the stator and radially compress both of them independently of each other.

[0015] By way of example, for this purpose the rotor may have a number of magnets, which may be referred to as magnet parts, which are reversibly movable relative to one another, in particular in the axial direction. By way of example, the rotor may have permanent magnets or electromagnets with ferromagnetic cores, which will respectively be designated as magnet parts. Such magnets may each be divided into magnet segments, such that the individual segments of the magnets can be displaced relative to one another, thereby reducing the diameter of the rotor by reducing the size of the magnets in the radial direction.

[0016] As an example, at least one magnet may be composed of a plurality of wedge-shaped segments that may be axially pressed together and away from one another and that, when pressed away from one another, occupy less space overall in the radial direction than when pressed together. However, divisions in different other planes may also be provided, and it is also conceivable to displace individual segments of the magnet in the circumferential direction of the rotor and / or in the radial direction of the motor. The segments of the magnet may also be referred to as magnet parts, and thus the term "magnet part" includes both the segments of the magnet and the entire magnet.

[0017] It is important that the described magnet movements or magnet segment movements, which lead to diameter reduction, are reversible and can be reversed in a simple manner for subsequent expansion of the rotor.

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

[0019] It is also possible that the winding arrangement has at least two subwindings, which can be reversibly displaced relative to one another. For example, subwindings of this type can be unmolded or molded in a rigid or elastic molding material and can be superimposed in the manner of shingles of a roof and slid one over the other in particular in the circumferential direction of the stator in the case of radial compression of the stator. However, pivoting or rotating of the subwindings is also conceivable if the rotor is removed from the stator.

[0020] With regard to improved deformability of the winding arrangement, the winding arrangement can have at least one sub-winding molded, for example, of an elastic material. By way of example, the sub-winding can be molded of an elastomer, for example of a silicone elastomer or of a rubber material. Also, larger parts of the winding arrangement, for example even the entire winding arrangement, can be molded of this type of elastic material.

[0021] To increase effectiveness, the elastic matrix may be provided with ferromagnetic fillers, particularly on the outside.

[0022] In the case where the individual parts of the winding arrangement are each molded separately, for example when the sub-windings have elastic leads and / or are molded from an elastic material, elastic deformability can thereby also be combined with displaceability.

[0023] By way of example, the winding configuration may have leads at least partially constructed from a shape memory alloy. In this case, the subwindings or the entire winding configuration may assume a desired shape and size at a target location, for example by selective setting of a target temperature. In the case of medical applications, the alloy may be set, for example, such that the winding configuration assumes a desired target shape when the patient's body temperature is assumed.

[0024] In the case of a winding arrangement consisting of multiple mutually movable sub-windings, in order to ensure repeated compression and expansion and a reproducible course of compression and expansion movements, it may be advantageous, for example, for the winding arrangement to have bending and / or twisting regions defined between the mutually movable parts. Bending and / or twisting regions of this type may be provided in the form of soft and / or flexible lead parts, for example by providing lead lengths formed as stranded wires or, inter alia, by thin lead regions.

[0025] In order in the case of motors of the type described above to be able to displace the rotor and the stator to a target position relative to one another even from a certain distance, the invention advantageously provides a connecting piece, which extends away from the motor, by means of which the rotor and the stator can be axially displaced relative to one another. The connecting piece can be formed as a typical operating piece, for example in the manner of a Bowden cable, the different parts of which can be connected on the one hand to the stator and on the other hand to the rotor.

[0026] The connecting parts allow relative displacement of the stator and rotor and thus the retraction of the rotor into the stator at the target position, the stator being either already expanded beforehand or being radially expanded by retracting the rotor into the stator.

[0027] The invention also relates to an implantable arrangement having a hollow catheter and a stator and a rotor arranged in a compressed manner in the hollow catheter. Within this type of implantable arrangement, a radially compressible motor can be drawn into the hollow catheter in a simple form, the motor usually being received in the hollow catheter in a compressed form. The hollow catheter can then be introduced, for example, by a port, into the patient's blood vessel, displaced therethrough, and taken to the target location, for example into the aortic arch, a heart valve, or a ventricle. The hollow catheter can then be retracted and the motor slid out of the hollow catheter, radially expanding during or after this process.

[0028] The invention also relates to a motor and embedded component of the type described above, and to a method for positioning a motor of the type described, in which the stator and rotor are displaced through a conduit to a target position, at least the stator is radially compressed, and at least the stator is subsequently 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 one another.

[0030] The invention also relates to a pump, in particular a blood pump, containing a motor, the motor having a stator and a rotor that can be driven axially, at least one of them, in particular the stator, having a winding arrangement that can be supplied with electric current and being radially compressible and expandable, where the motor and the pump are advantageously tightly integrated with each other. It is therefore possible to create a pump of particularly small construction. In particular, it is advantageous if the pump has a very small radial diameter, which can be taken to the site of use and then radially expanded there to provide the actual pump performance.

[0031] Here, according to an embodiment, the rotor is connected to a pump rotor, which has a blade configuration for conveying a fluid. By way of example, the pump rotor can be mounted on top of the actual magnetic rotor or can radially surround it. 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 in the stator in the operating state. Thus, a radially stacked arrangement is provided in the operating state, which starts from the radially outward direction towards the center and is arranged as follows: . 1. Stator, 2. Pump rotor, 3. Magnetic rotor. In other configurations where the pump rotor and the magnetic motor are interconnected, this could potentially be different.

[0033] According to an advantageous embodiment, the pump rotor is radially compressible, in particular the pump rotor is radially elastically compressible, where, according to a variant, the blade arrangement of the pump rotor is primarily elastically compressible and for example bears against 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 the pump.

[0035] The invention is illustrated in various figures and will be explained hereinafter on the basis of exemplary embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0036] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a longitudinal section of a motor having a rotor and a stator; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows the motor of FIG. 1 in a compressed configuration, with the stator and rotor axially separated from each other. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 shows, in an unwound form, schematic diagrams of individual wires of a winding arrangement with a length reserve in the form of a spiraled or meandering course. [Figure 4a] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a winding arrangement in an axial view, compressed in the left-hand view into a spiralled lead configuration, and expanded in the right-hand view. [Figure 4b] FIG. 1 shows the winding arrangement when considered axially, compressed into a serpentine lead in the left image and radially expanded in the right image. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 illustrates in a three-dimensional view a winding configuration having multiple sub-windings, which in an unwound state have a substantially diamond or trapezoidal design. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a schematic three-dimensional view of the course of the individual windings of the sub-winding of FIG. 5; [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an axial view of the arrangement of independent sub-windings at the periphery of a winding arrangement in a radially expanded state. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows the arrangement of the subwindings of FIG. 7 in a radially compressed state. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 shows a schematic longitudinal section through a motor having a stator and a rotor, the rotor being encapsulated in an assembled and expanded state. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows the motor of FIG. 9 in an axially separated and compressed state. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 shows a stator and rotor arranged axially one after the other, with the stator being radially compressed and both having operating means. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 shows a cross section through the stator, illustrating that the stator winding arrangement is divided circumferentially into four sub-windings. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 illustrates the stator of FIG. 12 in a compressed state, where the sub-windings have been mechanically displaced radially inward by radial pressure. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of the stator of FIGS. 12 and 13 in a further compressed state. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a rotor with two magnets in the axial direction. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a side view of a rotor magnet that is divided into segments and is radially compressible. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a stator having a winding configuration that can be separated in the axial direction. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a stator in an expanded state, the stator having a rotor disposed therein and a compressible pump rotor disposed above the rotor. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is an illustration of the device of FIG. 18 in a compressed state. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a side view of the stator with the pump rotor axially removed from the stator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates diagrammatically in longitudinal section the stator 2 and rotor 1 of an electric motor. Further parts and details have been omitted for clarity. The stator has a winding arrangement of cylindrical shape, shown diagrammatically, which may consist of one or more sub-windings. The rotor 1 has at least one permanent magnet and a hub, which is connected to a shaft 3. The poles of the rotor 1 or the magnet / magnets of the rotor 1 may be driven by the magnetic field of the stator 2. The shaft 3 is rotatably mounted at one or more points, usually in a plain or ball bearing. The bearing may for example be fixedly connected to the stator 2 or to a housing (not shown) of the stator or of the entire motor. In FIG. 1 it is possible to see that the stator concentrically and coaxially surrounds the rotor 1, the stator having a diameter D in the radially expanded state shown here.

[0038] Figure 2 shows the parts of the motor already shown in Figure 1, in particular the winding arrangements of the rotor 1 and the stator 2, which are now separated from each other in the axial direction 4. The stator and the rotor do not axially overlap each other in this state. The stator is radially compressed by the radial compression of the winding arrangement, generally to a diameter d, which is equal to or smaller than the outer diameter of the rotor 1.

[0039] It is therefore clear that due to the divisibility of the motor and the displaceability of the stator relative to the rotor, the stator can be radially compressed as soon as the rotor is removed from it.

[0040] Regardless of this, and in addition, the rotor may also be radially compressible, and in this case the stator and rotor may be radially compressed together in an assembled state, or they may be axially displaced from one another and both may be radially compressed separately from one another, in the latter case it is useful, although not necessary, that both parts, i.e. both the stator and the rotor, are compressible to approximately the same outer diameter.

[0041] In the upper region, Fig. 3 shows a first lead 5 of a winding arrangement of a motor according to the invention in a compressed state, the lead extending in a helical manner. If a winding arrangement or sub-winding is formed from this lead extending in a helical manner, this winding arrangement or sub-winding can be radially expanded when the winding wire 5 is expanded and can later be radially compressed again. In the lower region of Fig. 3, the lead 6 is illustrated, which in the compressed state has a meandering form, which can be expanded when passing to the expanded state.

[0042] In Fig. 4a, the spiralled lead 5 in the compressed state is shown diagrammatically in the left-hand view, which is also diagrammatically shown in the compressed state in the form of a circular ring, which symbolizes the winding arrangement. In the right-hand view of Fig. 4a, the expanded form of the stator is shown in an axial view, with the winding lead(s) being stretched, and therefore the winding arrangement and / or sub-windings being expanded as well. The stator shown in the right-hand view of Fig. 4a has an enlarged diameter D, whereas in the compressed state shown in the left-hand view of Fig. 4a, it has a reduced diameter d.

[0043] In Fig. 4b the compressed leads 6 are shown in a serpentine configuration which, when considered axially, is arranged in a circular ring configuration, which represents the winding arrangement of the stator. The arrangement 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 stretched, or at least expanded further than in the compressed state.

[0044] The transition between the compressed and expanded states of the stator may be achieved, for example, by the application of a force, whereby the stator is brought into the compressed configuration by an external radial pressure, and spontaneously and elastically expands again when the external radial compressive force is countered.

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

[0046] As a further alternative, the winding arrangement may have leads made from what are known as shape memory alloys, which change shape when, for example, a temperature change occurs, and each have a reproducible shape within a defined temperature range. Such shape memory alloys may be, for example, NiTi (nickel-titanium; nitinol), NiTiCu (nickel-titanium-copper), CuZn (copper-zinc), CuZnAl (copper-zinc-aluminum), CuAlNi (copper-aluminum-nickel), FeNiAl (iron-nickel-aluminum), or FeMnSi (iron-manganese-silicon). This type of alloy may also be referred to as a superelastic alloy.

[0047] In addition to the described properties of the winding arrangement, it may also be provided that the entire winding arrangement or individual sub-windings are molded from an elastic material, such as silicone elastomer or rubber, which is itself elastically deformable. It is also possible that there is no molding of the winding arrangement, or that there is a molding made from a non-elastic material, in which case the molding of the individual sub-windings is performed separately and the sub-windings, together with their respective moldings, are movable relative to one another. Such configurations will be discussed in more detail further below.

[0048] 5 shows a perspective view of a substantially hollow cylindrical winding arrangement, which is made up of a number of sub-windings, each of which is made up of a number of turns of leads and has two electrical terminals for voltage and current supply, and the winding arrangement as a whole may have terminal leads or electrical terminals.

[0049] Each sub-winding of the illustrated winding arrangement has a diamond-shaped basic shape in the unwound state. The individual sub-windings overlap one another in the circumferential direction of the winding arrangement. Each sub-winding 7, 8 of the winding arrangement of FIG. 5 has electrical terminals 9, 10 for supplying current to the stator winding arrangement.

[0050] In Fig. 6 the individual sub-windings 7 are shown, symbolized by individual turns of a winding lead and designated by the reference symbol 11. The sub-winding 11 has two electrical connections 12, 13 for supplying current. In Fig. 6 a hollow cylinder is shown diagrammatically, over the periphery of which the partly cylindrical sub-windings are distributed in an overlapping manner and are circumferentially offset from one another.

[0051] In Figure 7, a number of sub-windings 7, 8 of a winding arrangement are shown diagrammatically from an axial perspective. Each sub-winding 7, 8 has a radially outer portion 7a and a radially inner portion 7b, each of which is overlaid by the next sub-winding 8, more specifically by the radially outer portion of the next sub-winding 8. In this way, a roof-tile-like sequential stacking of the sub-windings is provided along a circumferential line of the stator.

[0052] If the subwindings are movable relative to one another, they can be slid further onto one another in the manner of shingles of a shingled roof, so that the diameter of the overall arrangement, the circumference of the winding arrangement, can be reduced. An example of such a compressed state of compression movement is shown in FIG. 8, where in each case the two windings 7, 8 are slid one over the other so that they completely overlap each other in the circumferential direction of the winding arrangement. This possibility of sliding the individual subwindings onto each other is conceivable both in the case of non-molded subwindings and in the case of molded subwindings. If the individual subwindings are molded, it is advantageous if the molding allows easy sliding of the two body parts that compose it relative to each other.

[0053] 9 shows in longitudinal section a motor with a radially expanded stator 2 and a rotor 1, which has an enclosing arrangement 14 in the form of a hollow cylinder, which surrounds the magnet body of the rotor and carries, for example, bearings 15, 16. The shaft 3 of the rotor is mounted with slight friction in the bearings 15, 16, which may be formed as plain or ball bearings. The diameter of the overall structure of the motor according to FIG. 9 in the expanded assembled state ready for operation is identified by D.

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

[0055] FIG. 11 shows the design of a motor with a rotor 1′ and a stator 2′, which are shown in a compressed position axially separated from each other. The rotor 1′ has an encircling arrangement in which its magnet arrangement, supported by two bearings, can rotate. The encircling arrangement of the rotor has a conically tapered portion 17 and a connection to a strand-shaped operating part 18, which is fixed to the encircling arrangement or to the bearings and allows an 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 hose, through which the operating part 18 can be guided. The operating parts 18, 19 together form the connection parts to the motor and can be actuated together from a remote location to effect relative movement of the stator and rotor with respect to each other and to radially expand them, for example by inserting the surrounding arrangement of the rotor 1' into the winding arrangement of the stator 2'.

[0056] 12 shows a particular winding configuration that is made up of four separate subwindings 20, 21, 22, 23, each separately molded from an elastomeric material. Each of these subwindings is formed as a portion of a hollow cylinder, and the subwindings may be assembled with their molded body portions forming the overall hollow cylinder.

[0057] If a force is applied radially from the outside on the winding arrangement, an arrangement as shown in FIG. 13 is provided, in which the individual molded body parts and subwindings are bent radially inward. The individual molded body parts of the subwindings may be movably connected to one another, for example by living hinges. In the state shown in FIG. 13, the winding arrangement already occupies a much smaller space radially than in the configuration shown in FIG. 12. Further radial compression causes the individual subwindings to be further compressed radially inward, which is additionally made possible by the deformability of the molded body parts. Complete compression provides the configuration shown in FIG. 14. This may be automatically expandable back to the configuration shown in FIG. 12 by the cancellation of the compressive force acting radially inward, the restoring force being applied, for example, by the elastically deformed molded body parts or also by the winding leads themselves, or both together. Also, if the individual subwindings are not molded, corresponding deformation of the winding leads can occur reversibly within each subwinding.

[0058] 15 shows in an axial illustration two magnets 24, 25 arranged perpendicularly above each other, which can be driven in the magnetic field of a winding arrangement. The magnets 24, 25 are fixedly connected to the shaft 3 of the rotor.

[0059] FIG. 16 illustrates the division of the magnet 24 along the surface 26, whereby two segments 24a, 24b of the magnet 24 are created, each forming a magnet part. The magnet 24 in the state illustrated by the solid lines has the form of a rectangular parallelepiped. The arrangement in which the segment 24a is displaced in the axial direction 4 along the surface 26 relative to the segment 24b is shown in dotted form. The expansion of the magnet 24 is provided in the axial direction, and the compression from diameter D to diameter d is provided in the radial direction, as specified in the right-hand view of FIG. 16. As a result of the rotor configuration shown, it can be radially compressible, such that the motor is compressible either in the assembled state by joint compression of the stator and rotor, or simply by radial compression of the stator in the axially separated state.

[0060] Thus, the motor can be compressed to be brought to its site of use. For example, the motor can be implanted as a drive for a blood pump and displaced in a compressed state through a blood vessel into the patient's body to the site of use. There, the motor can be expanded, for example as a blood pump, and in the expanded state the motor can build up the necessary torque or power required to drive the pump.

[0061] FIG. 17 shows a design variant in which the winding arrangement is divided into a number of subwindings 27, 28, each constructed in the form of a circular ring, which are arranged in succession in the axial direction to form a hollow cylindrical winding arrangement. In such an arrangement, if the circular annular subwindings are tilted, the cross section of the winding means is therefore elliptical, but compressed in diameter in the direction of the axis 29 with respect to the non-tilted arrangement. In the direction of the axis 30, which is arranged at right angles thereto, the diameter remains the same. Nevertheless, a more favorable form for the positioning of the motor can be provided with the tilted arrangement. The tilting can be reversed at any time subsequent to the positioning of the motor.

[0062] Figure 18 shows a device consisting of a stator according to figure 7 with the windings 7, 8 already described herein. A radially compressible pump rotor 29 is connected to the magnetic rotor 1'' in such a way that it can rotate together with the rotor 1'' about the same axis, and the magnetic rotor 1'' is positioned in this stator. In an exemplary embodiment, the pump rotor is made of an elastic material, preferably a superelastic plastic material, which allows the pump rotor 29 to collapse in case of compression of the stator and to expand elastically or superelastically back to the starting shape again in case of expansion of the stator.

[0063] Figure 19 illustrates diagrammatically how the stator compresses in a similar manner to Figure 8, with the pump rotor 29 also assuming a similar compressed configuration, where the pump rotor blades are folded about the rotor axis and bear against the pump rotor hub.

[0064] Also, in principle, the device can be formed such that the rotor 1″ together with the pump rotor 29 can be axially removed from the rotor in a manner corresponding to FIG. 20. The pump rotor 29 and the stator are thus arranged axially one after the other. In this condition, the stator and the pump rotor can be compressed together, which allows a further reduction in the compressed diameter compared to the embodiment of FIG. 19.

[0065] The pump rotor can in principle be made in very different ways. In addition to the variant made from elastic or superelastic plastic material shown in Figures 18 and 19, various other variants are described in the prior art, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 4,753,221, U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,855, U.S. Pat. No. 7,393,181, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009 / 0062597 A1, European Patent Application Publication No. 2047873 A1, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 027 5884A1, EP 2229965A1, WO 2010 / 149393A1, EP 2299119A1, EP 2338540A1, EP 2338541A1, EP 2363157, EP 2407185A1, EP 2407187A1 and EP 2407186A1.

[0066] <Additional Notes> [1] A motor having a stator (2, 2') and a rotor (1, 1') that can be driven around an axis (4), characterized in that at least one of the stator (2, 2') and rotor (1, 1'), in particular the stator (2, 2'), has a winding arrangement (7, 8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28) that can be supplied with electric current and is radially compressible and expandable. [2] The motor according to the above item [1], wherein the rotor (1, 1') and the stator (2, 2') can be displaced relative to each other 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 the above item [1] or [2], wherein the rotor (1, 1') is compressible in the radial direction. [4] The motor according to the above item [3], characterized in that the rotor (1, 1') has a plurality of magnet parts (24, 24a, 24b, 25), and the plurality of magnet parts (24, 24a, 24b, 25) are reversibly movable relative to one another, particularly in the axial direction (4). [5] The motor according to any one of the above items [1] to [4], wherein the winding configuration (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 the above items [1] to [5], characterized in that the winding configuration (7, 8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28) has at least two sub-windings (7, 8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28) that are reversibly displaceable from each other. [7] 6. The motor according to claim 5, wherein the sub-windings can be slid one over the other in the manner of shingles on a shingled roof. [8] The motor according to any one of the above items [1] to [7], wherein the winding configuration (7, 8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28) has at least one sub-winding molded from an elastic material. [9] The motor according to any one of the above items [1] to [8], wherein the different sub-windings (7, 8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28) of the winding arrangement are molded in separate sub-body portions and are movable relative to each other.

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

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

[10] , wherein the winding configuration (7, 8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28) has bending regions and / or twisting regions defined between parts that are movable relative to one another.

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

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

[13] An implantable structure comprising: a hollow catheter; and a motor according to any one of claims 1 to 12, which is compressed and disposed within the hollow catheter.

[14] A method for positioning a motor according to any one of claims [1] to

[12] above, characterized in that the stator (2, 2') and the rotor (1, 1') are displaced through a conduit to a target position, at least the stator being radially compressed, and at least the stator being subsequently radially expanded.

[15] The method according to claim

[14] , characterized in that when the stator (2, 2') and 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, in particular a blood pump, containing a motor, the motor having a stator (2, 2') and a rotor (1, 1') that can be driven around an axis (4), characterized in that at least one of the stator (2, 2') and the rotor (1, 1'), in particular the stator, has a winding arrangement (7, 8, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28) that can be supplied with electric current and is radially compressible and expandable.

[17] The pump according to item

[16] above, wherein the rotor is connected to a pump rotor, the pump rotor having a blade configuration for transporting a fluid.

[18] The pump according to claim

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

[19] The pump according to the above item

[17] or

[18] , wherein the pump rotor is radially compressible.

[20] A pump according to any one of the above items

[17] to

[19] , wherein the pump rotor is elastically compressible in the radial direction. [twenty one] A pump having a compressible pump rotor, the pump rotor being disposed in a motor according to any one of the above items [1] to

[12] .

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 and the rotor are radially compressible and expandable. A motor characterized by:

2. 2. The motor of claim 1, wherein the sub-winding is reversibly deformable. A motor characterized by:

3. 3. A motor as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rotor is connected to a pump rotor such that the rotor and the pump rotor rotate together about the same axis.

4. 4. 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.

5. 5. The motor of claim 4, 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.

6. 6. A motor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pump rotor includes blades which fold about the axis of the rotor when the pump rotor is compressed.

7. 7. The motor according to claim 1, wherein the pump rotor is made of a superelastic plastic material having elasticity.

8. 8. A motor as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pump rotor is arranged to collapse when the stator is compressed.

9. 9. A motor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the pump rotor is configured to undergo elastic or super-elastic expansion when the stator expands.

10. 10. A motor according to claim 1, wherein 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 being reversibly movable relative to each other along the inclined surface.

11. 11. The motor of claim 1, 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.

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

13. 13. 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, and wherein the winding arrangement is radially compressible and expandable by the sub-bodies sliding circumferentially relative to one another to vary the amount of overlap between adjacent sub-bodies.

14. 14. A motor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the winding arrangement includes leads at least partially constructed from a shape memory alloy.

15. 15. 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.

16. 16. The motor of claim 1, further comprising a first operating part having an end connected to the rotor and extending away from the rotor, and a second operating part having an end connected to the stator and extending away from the stator in the same direction as the first operating 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.

17. 17. An implantable arrangement comprising a hollow catheter and a motor according to any one of claims 1 to 16, disposed in a compressed state within the hollow catheter.

18. A pump, characterized in that it comprises a motor according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

19. 19. The pump of claim 18, wherein the motor further includes 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 pump characterized in that the rotor and the stator can be displaced relatively in the axial direction by moving the first operating component and the second operating component relatively along the direction in which the first and second operating components extend.

20. A stator having a hollow cylindrical winding structure to which electric current can be supplied, the winding structure being arranged in an axial direction surrounding the stator, the winding structure being composed of a plurality of sub-windings, each of the plurality of sub-windings being composed of a plurality of windings of a lead, each of the sub-windings having two electrical terminals for supplying voltage and current; 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 is radially compressible and expandable; Motor, A pump having the motor further includes a first operating part having an end connected to the rotor and extending in a direction away from the rotor, and a second operating part having an end connected to the stator and extending in a direction away from the stator in the same direction as the first operating part; A pump characterized in that the rotor and the stator can be displaced relatively in the axial direction by moving the first operating component and the second operating component relatively along the direction in which the first and second operating components extend.

21. A stator having a hollow cylindrical winding structure to which electric current can be supplied, the winding structure being arranged in an axial direction surrounding the stator, the winding structure being composed of a plurality of sub-windings, each of the plurality of sub-windings being composed of a plurality of windings of a lead, each of the sub-windings having two electrical terminals for supplying voltage and current; 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 is radially compressible and expandable; Motor, A pump having the motor further includes a first operating part having an end connected to the rotor and extending in a direction away from the rotor, and a second operating part having an end connected to the stator and extending in a direction away from the stator in the same direction as the first operating part; A pump characterized in that the rotor and the stator can be displaced relatively in the axial direction by moving the first operating component and the second operating component relatively along the direction in which the first and second operating components extend.

22. 22. A pump as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the pump rotor has a blade configuration for conveying a fluid.

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

24. 24. A pump as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 23, characterized in that 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.

25. 25. A pump according to any one of claims 19 to 24, wherein the pump is a blood pump.

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