Aortic Circulatory Support via Magnetic Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices, such as Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs), face challenges including high power requirements, hemolysis, thrombosis, and the need for invasive surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass, which increase risks and disrupt normal heart function.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical circulatory support device that operates in series with the native heart, using a centrifugal pump with a magnetically suspended impeller, which minimizes blood trauma and reduces power requirements, allowing for minimally invasive surgery and reduced risk of complications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If VADs are installed by anastomosing to the apex of the left ventricle, then the device can directly unload the ventricle and assist heart function, but major sternotomy or thoracotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass are required, increasing surgical risk and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pump from the ventricular apex location and relocates it to the aortic arch or descending aorta. This allows the device to assist heart function by pumping blood into the aorta while avoiding the need for complex ventricular anastomosis surgery. The pump is connected to the aorta via a graft, eliminating the requirement for sternotomy, thoracotomy, and cardiopulmonary bypass.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a graft as an intermediary component between the pump and the aorta. This graft serves as a mediator that connects the device to the circulatory system without requiring direct attachment to the ventricle. The graft allows for minimally invasive installation while maintaining the device's ability to assist heart function effectively.
2Reliability
If VADs operate in parallel with the native heart sharing inlet flow, then the device can provide ventricular unloading, but normal heart function is disrupted and regeneration may be impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional VAD configuration by switching from parallel operation (inlet from ventricle) to series operation (outlet to aorta). The pump is positioned downstream of the heart in the aorta, receiving blood from the heart and pumping it forward. This series configuration allows the heart to pump blood normally into the aorta, and the pump subsequently assists by propelling blood further into the systemic circulation, thereby supporting rather than disrupting normal heart function.
3Power
If existing MCS/VAD devices are used, then mechanical circulatory support is provided, but significantly more input power is required than theoretically necessary, causing excessive blood trauma, hemolysis, and thrombosis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the blood pump by positioning it in the aorta where the blood flow conditions are more favorable. The pump operates at lower speeds and with lower pressure differentials compared to ventricular VADs, as it assists rather than replaces the heart's pumping function. This parameter change reduces shear stress on blood cells, minimizing hemolysis and thrombosis while maintaining adequate circulatory support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the naturally occurring blood flow in the aorta into a beneficial resource. Instead of fighting against the blood flow or creating high-pressure gradients, the device utilizes the existing aortic flow to reduce the workload on the pump. The pump works with the natural circulation rather than against it, reducing energy consumption and blood trauma while maintaining effective circulatory support.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If permanent MCS devices are implanted, then long-term heart function support is provided, but invasive surgery and significant morbidity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the circulatory support system into two independent components: the heart that continues to pump blood, and the aortic pump that provides additional circulatory support. This segmentation allows the device to be installed separately from the heart, avoiding complex cardiac surgery. The aortic pump can be implanted via minimally invasive techniques while the heart maintains its natural function, reducing surgical risk and morbidity for long-term support.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device achieves efficient blood flow with reduced hemolysis and thrombosis, lower power consumption, and can be implanted using minimally invasive techniques, thereby reducing morbidity and improving patient outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a centrifugal pump with a magnetically suspended impeller
Data Source
AI summary
Mechanical circulatory supports configured to operate in series with the native heart are disclosed. In an embodiment, an intravascular propeller is installed into the descending aorta and anchored within via an expandable anchoring mechanism. The propeller and anchoring mechanism may be foldable so as to be percutaneously deliverable to the aorta. The propeller may have foldable blades. The blades may be magnetic and may be driven by a concentric electromagnetic stator circumferentially outside the magnetic blades. The stator may be intravascular or may be configured to be installed around the outer circumference of the blood vessel. The support may create a pressure rise between about 20-50 mmHg, and maintain a flow rate of about 5 L/min. The support may have one or more pairs of contra-rotating propellers to modulate the tangential velocity of the blood flow. The support may have static pre-swirlers and or de-swirlers. The support may be optimized to replicate naturally occurring vortex formation within the descending aorta.