Blood Pump Rotor Tilting Detection via Passive Magnetic Bearings
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blood pumps for heart assistance systems, such as ventricular assist devices, face complexity in monitoring and controlling flow parameters, leading to cumbersome closed-loop control mechanisms and complications in monitoring rotor position and flow estimation.
Innovation Solution
A passive magnetic axial pump with a mechanical or hydrodynamic bearing and a passive magnetic radial bearing, utilizing a sensor arrangement to detect rotor tilting and magnetic field changes for flow estimation and pressure difference detection, simplifying the construction and operation by eliminating the need for active closed-loop control of the rotor mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If active closed-loop control mechanisms are used for monitoring and controlling flow parameters, then flow measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex active closed-loop control mechanisms with a passive magnetic bearing system that uses magnetic field interactions to mount and position the rotor. This substitution eliminates the need for complex electronic control while maintaining precise flow measurement capabilities through simplified magnetic field-based positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The passive magnetic bearing system enables the rotor to self-position and self-mount within the pump housing through magnetic field interactions, eliminating the need for external active control mechanisms. The system automatically maintains rotor position and enables flow estimation without requiring complex monitoring and control electronics.
2Measurement precision
If rotor position monitoring is implemented, then flow estimation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex rotor position monitoring systems with a passive magnetic bearing system that inherently provides position information through magnetic field interactions. The magnetic bearing system naturally tracks rotor position without requiring separate sensors or complex monitoring electronics, thereby simplifying the overall device while maintaining accurate flow estimation.
3Device complexity
If passive magnetic bearing is used, then device complexity is reduced, but rotor position control capability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The passive magnetic bearing system enables the rotor to self-position and self-control its position through magnetic field interactions with the housing. The system automatically maintains optimal rotor positioning without requiring external control mechanisms, thereby achieving both simplified construction and effective rotor position control through the self-organizing magnetic field interactions.
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
This solution provides a simpler and more reliable method for flow estimation and monitoring, enhancing patient safety by reducing the complexity of control mechanisms and improving the accuracy of flow measurement and pressure estimation, while allowing for detection of physiological activities and potential issues like thrombi growth.
Implementation Method 1
A passive magnetic bearing is present in the pump, with the help of which the rotor is mounted in a passive manner in the desired position in the pump housing
Implementation Method 2
A sensor arrangement for the detection of changes in a magnetic field of the rotor is present in the pump housing
Data Source
AI summary
A pump is provided with a housing and with an upstream inlet and a downstream outlet and a fluid channel with a channel axis, said fluid channel being arranged between the inlet and outlet. A rotor which can be brought into rotation by way of a motor is arranged within the fluid channel. Furthermore, a sensor arrangement is provided which can detect an inclination of the rotation axis of the rotor.