Brushless Motor Artificial Heart with Magnetic Bearings
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Solution Overview
Problem
The scarcity of suitable donor hearts for transplantation and the limitations of existing artificial heart devices, such as noise, complications, and short lifespan, necessitate the development of a reliable and efficient permanent total artificial heart system that mimics natural heart function.
Innovation Solution
A permanent total artificial heart system utilizing brushless electric motors with magnetic bearings and direct drive technology, integrated with the patient's natural heart valves and conduction system, providing pulsatile blood flow synchronized with the patient's sinus rhythm through wireless energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pneumatic artificial heart systems are used, then the device can be used temporarily during the period until a donor heart is found, but the system runs noisily and gives rise to many complications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pneumatic mechanical system with an electrical motor-driven system. The artificial heart uses an electric motor to drive the pump mechanism, eliminating the need for external pneumatic compression and associated noise-generating components, thereby reducing noise and complications while maintaining temporary use reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes hydraulic principles through the use of blood as the working fluid in a closed circulatory system. The artificial heart pumps blood through hydraulic action, creating efficient fluid transfer while avoiding the noise and complications associated with pneumatic systems that use compressed air
2Power
If conventional electric motors with mechanical contacts are used, then the device can provide cardiac pump functions, but the mechanical contacts wear out and limit device lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional electric motors with brushless direct current (BLDC) motors that use electronic commutation instead of mechanical brushes and contacts. This substitution eliminates wear from mechanical contacts while maintaining the power output needed for cardiac pump functions, significantly extending device lifespan
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the motor system by using brushless technology with electronic control. This parameter change from mechanical contact-based operation to contactless electronic commutation reduces wear and extends the duration of action while preserving the required power output
3Object-generated harmful factors
If brushless electric motors with magnetic bearings are used, then the device operates quietly and efficiently, but complex control systems are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical bearing systems with magnetic bearings that use magnetic fields for support and positioning. This substitution eliminates mechanical contact and friction, reducing noise and improving efficiency, while the control complexity is managed through integrated electronic control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic bearing system uses the motor's own magnetic field to provide bearing support, eliminating the need for separate mechanical bearing components. The system self-regulates through magnetic field interactions, reducing noise while the control complexity is minimized through integrated control architecture
4Loss of energy
If direct drive technology is used, then efficiency increases and lifetime extends, but mechanical interfaces such as belt systems and gear boxes disappear requiring new design approaches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the motor rotor directly with the pump impeller, eliminating intermediate mechanical interfaces such as belts and gear boxes. This direct coupling reduces energy loss through friction and improves efficiency, while the integrated design simplifies manufacturing by reducing the number of separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The motor assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides rotational motion, directly drives the pump, and eliminates the need for separate transmission components. This multi-functionality increases energy efficiency by removing intermediate energy transfer steps while managing design complexity through integrated architecture
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 system offers a long-lasting, efficient, and quiet solution for end-stage heart failure patients, potentially eliminating the need for human heart transplants by maintaining natural cardiac rhythm and extending the lifespan of the artificial heart.
Implementation Method 1
A permanent total artificial heart system utilizing brushless electric motors with magnetic bearings and direct drive technology
Implementation Method 2
brushless electric motors with magnetic bearings
Implementation Method 3
direct drive technology, integrated with the patient's natural heart valves and conduction system
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is about a permanent total artificial heart device that is developed for the patients who are at the end-stage heart failure and included in the heart transplantation program, and which is placed into the ventricles of the patient's heart completely or placed surgically into the space obtained when a piece of ventricle is removed. The device employs “direct drive technology,” technically using the advantages of brushless electric motors. Special-designed engines require quite little energy for the pulsatile blood flow produced by stopping and starting synchronously with the ECG signals. It is about a permanent total artificial heart device system that will offer high quality of life for many years to the patients as it protects the heart valves and heart conduction system, has wireless charging and longer battery life.