Blood Pump Rotor Halbach Array for Smaller Intravascular Pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blood pumps, particularly intravascular blood pumps, face challenges with large outer diameters, high energy consumption, and heat generation, limiting their use in transvascular applications and requiring magnetic yokes that increase size and energy demands.
Innovation Solution
A blood pump rotor with a modified Halbach array configuration, featuring alternating axial and circumferential magnets with adjusted proximal surfaces and physical dimensions, reduces the outer diameter and eliminates the need for magnetic yokes, utilizing a magnetic coupling with an electric drive unit to enhance efficiency and reduce heat and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If magnetic yokes are used to provide strong magnetic coupling between the drive unit and rotor, then the magnetic coupling strength is improved, but the outer diameter and overall size of the blood pump increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the magnetic yokes from the blood pump design, extracting the problematic component that caused large outer diameter. The drive unit and rotor are designed to achieve sufficient magnetic coupling without ferromagnetic yoke structures, thereby reducing the overall pump size while maintaining the necessary magnetic coupling strength for efficient operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes parameters such as magnet sizes, magnet arrangements, and air gap dimensions to achieve effective magnetic coupling without requiring large magnetic yokes. By carefully adjusting these parameters, the design maintains strong magnetic coupling while minimizing the outer diameter of the pump
2Force
If high current is supplied to the drive unit to achieve strong magnetic coupling, then the magnetic coupling strength is improved, but energy consumption and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical magnetic coupling system with optimized permanent magnet arrangements. By using permanently magnetized components with optimized geometries and arrangements, the system achieves strong magnetic coupling without requiring high currents, thereby reducing energy consumption and heat generation in the drive unit
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curved or angled magnet arrangements rather than simple flat configurations. The magnets are positioned and oriented to create optimal magnetic flux paths, enhancing coupling efficiency and reducing the current required to achieve the necessary driving force
3Force
If large magnets are provided to achieve strong magnetic coupling, then the magnetic coupling strength is improved, but the outer diameter of the blood pump increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the magnetic coupling system into multiple smaller magnet segments arranged in specific patterns around the rotor and drive unit. This segmentation allows the magnetic force to be distributed across multiple interaction points, achieving strong overall coupling without requiring any single large magnet that would increase the outer diameter
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional magnet arrangements with varying radial, axial, and circumferential positions. By optimizing the spatial distribution of magnets in multiple dimensions, the design achieves strong magnetic coupling through efficient flux paths without increasing the radial outer diameter of the pump
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 modified Halbach array design allows for a compact blood pump with reduced energy consumption and heat generation, enabling battery-powered, long-term applications suitable for intravascular use.
Implementation Method 1
permanent magnets arranged so as to form a modified Halbach array generating a magnetic field having a magnetic flux in a proximal direction that is greater than a magnetic flux in a distal direction
Implementation Method 2
magnetic coupling with an electric drive unit to enhance efficiency and reduce heat and energy consumption
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A
AI summary
Disclosed is a blood pump rotor, and an intravascular blood pump that utilizes the rotor. The blood pump rotor is configured to rotate around an axis of rotation, and comprises a distal portion and a proximal portion. The distal portion includes a rotor hub, which tapers in a distal direction. The rotor hub has at least one blade extending outward from the rotor hub. Further, a distal end of said rotor hub extends distally beyond a most distal portion of the at least one blade. The proximal portion, which is connected to the distal portion, has permanent magnets arranged so as to form a modified Halbach array generating a magnetic field having a magnetic flux in a proximal direction that is greater than a magnetic flux in a distal direction, said first magnetic flux being greater than said second magnetic flux. The Halbach array is modified such that either (a) at least one axial magnetized magnet has a most proximal point or portion of a surface that is a different distance from said distal end as compared to a most proximal point or portion of a surface of at least one circumferential magnetized magnet, (b) at least one axial magnetized magnet has a physical dimension that is different from a corresponding physical dimension of at least one circumferential magnetized magnet, or (c) a combination thereof.