Intravascular Blood Pump Motor Isolation Against Fluid Ingress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intravascular blood pumps face challenges in preventing fluid ingress into the motor assembly, which can compromise the functionality and reliability of the device during operation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a fluid impermeable layer between the rotor and stator in the motor assembly, along with a return fluid pathway that directs fluid away from the stator, prevents fluid ingress and maintains the integrity of the motor components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a motor assembly is placed within the blood pump to rotate the driveshaft, then the blood pump can be compactly designed for intravascular insertion, but fluid can ingress into the motor assembly and compromise its functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The motor assembly is segmented into distinct functional zones separated by a fluid impermeable layer. The rotor, stator, and fluid impermeable layer form separate compartments that prevent fluid mixing, allowing the motor to maintain functionality while operating in a fluid environment.
Solution Approach 2:
A return fluid pathway acts as an intermediary mechanism between the blood pump chamber and the motor assembly. This pathway directs fluid away from the stator and prevents fluid ingress into critical motor components, serving as a protective intermediary system.
2Ease of operation
If the motor assembly is exposed to blood flow for compact design, then insertion through vascular access is enabled, but fluid ingress compromises motor reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The motor assembly uses segmentation to create isolated fluid compartments. The fluid impermeable layer divides the motor assembly into regions exposed to blood flow and regions protected from fluid ingress, enabling both vascular insertion and reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The return fluid pathway serves as an intermediary system that manages fluid exposure. It allows the motor assembly to operate in a blood-contacting environment while directing fluid away from sensitive components through a controlled intermediate pathway.
3Reliability
If fluid pathways are added to direct fluid away from the stator, then fluid ingress is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The return fluid pathway is merged with the existing motor assembly structure rather than being added as a separate external system. The pathway integrates with the rotor-stator configuration, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining stator protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid impermeable layer serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural separator between rotor and stator, creates a return fluid pathway, and prevents fluid ingress into the stator. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional protective components.
Data Source
AI summary
Intravascular blood pumps systems and methods of use. The blood pump system includes a catheter portion having a distal blood pump with one or more distal collapsible impellers. The system can include a clean purge fluid pathway to carry clean fluid distally to the blood pump and a purge fluid return pathway to carry return fluid proximally into an external motor and out a proximal end of the motor, and optionally to a waste reservoir.