Blood Pump Sewing Ring Locking for Secure Heart Coupling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blood pumps, such as LVADs, require inefficient and invasive surgical procedures for coupling the inflow cannula to the heart, leading to prolonged implantation times and increased risk of complications.
Innovation Solution
A sewing ring and locking mechanism that allows for removable and secure attachment of the inflow cannula to the heart, utilizing a biased locking element and crenellated structures to prevent translational and rotational movement, facilitating a more efficient and less invasive coupling process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional LVAD implantation procedure is used with sternotomy and aortic anastomosis, then the blood pump can be securely coupled to the heart and aorta, but the surgical complexity and invasiveness increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system is divided into separate components: a sewing ring that attaches to the heart ventricle, an inflow cannula that connects to the sewing ring, and a blood pump. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall implantation procedure compared to traditional single-piece anastomosis.
Solution Approach 2:
The sewing ring acts as an intermediary component between the heart ventricle and the inflow cannula. It provides a standardized interface that simplifies attachment and provides secure coupling without requiring complex direct anastomosis between the cannula and heart tissue.
2Reliability
If traditional direct anastomosis of inflow cannula to heart is performed, then secure attachment is achieved, but implantation time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The sewing ring is pre-formed with a standardized structure and pre-loaded with sutures or attachment mechanisms. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid attachment to the heart ventricle during surgery, significantly reducing implantation time compared to performing complex anastomosis procedures intraoperatively.
3Ease of operation
If the locking element allows free movement during insertion, then the sewing ring can be positioned easily, but translational and rotational stability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element transitions from a mobile state during insertion to a locked state during operation. During insertion, the locking element can move freely to allow positioning of the sewing ring. Once positioned, the locking element engages with the sewing ring to provide translational and rotational stability, creating a dynamic system that adapts to different operational requirements.
4Ease of manufacture
If a removable coupling mechanism is used, then implantation and removal are simplified, but connection strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element and sewing ring interface incorporates curved or rounded surfaces that distribute mechanical loads evenly across the connection interface. This curved geometry enhances the connection strength of the removable coupling mechanism while maintaining ease of implantation and removal, overcoming the typical trade-off between removability and connection strength.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for coupling a blood pump to a patients heart is provided. The apparatus includes a sewing ring designed to be sutured to the patients heart, wherein the sewing ring has an opening sized and shaped to receive an inflow cannula of the blood pump. The apparatus further includes a locking element coupled to a housing of the blood pump and transitionable between a closed state and an open state. The locking element is structured to receive the sewing ring in the open state and engage the sewing ring in the closed state to prevent translational and rotational movement of the locking element relative to the sewing ring. In addition, the apparatus includes a biased structure designed to bias the locking element in the closed state.