Catheter Pump Cage Expansion Actuation Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing catheter pumps face challenges in ensuring a functionally reliable expansion of the cage mechanism, which is crucial for effective operation within the arterial vascular system, particularly in providing adequate oxygenated blood when the natural heart is unable to do so.
Innovation Solution
The catheter pump design incorporates an actuation section with a base part and an actuating part that can move axially relative to each other, coupled with the outer and inner catheters, allowing the proximal sleeve to move towards the distal sleeve to expand the cage, while also incorporating a flushing system for lubrication and bearing point maintenance, ensuring reliable operation and expansion of the conveying element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cage and conveying element are expanded in situ within the arterial vascular system, then the pump can provide circulatory support, but the expansion mechanism may fail or become unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is divided into distinct functional segments: a compression section with the cage, a drive section with the rotor, and an actuation section with the actuating part. This segmentation allows the expansion mechanism to be simplified while maintaining reliability, as each segment performs a specific function without interfering with others.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating part is designed to move dynamically relative to the base part along the longitudinal axis. This dynamic movement enables the actuation of the cage expansion through a simple linear motion that translates into the radial expansion of the cage and conveying element, improving reliability while keeping the mechanism straightforward.
2Reliability
If the actuating part moves axially relative to the base part to expand the cage, then the conveying element can be deployed, but the bearing points and rotor shaft require lubrication and cooling
Solution Approach 1:
A flushing system is implemented that uses a flushing medium (fluid) to lubricate and cool the bearing points and rotor shaft. The system includes a flushing medium inlet connected to the actuating part and an outlet connected to the base part, creating a hydraulic flow path that removes harmful friction and heat effects during operation.
3Reliability
If the inlet chamber is provided in the actuating part for flushing liquid, then the rotor shaft can be lubricated, but the flushing liquid may become contaminated by contact with the rotating shaft
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet for the flushing medium is positioned at the base part, separate from the rotating rotor shaft. This extraction of the outlet from the rotation zone prevents the flushing liquid from becoming contaminated by contact with the rotating shaft, while still allowing effective lubrication of the bearing points through the controlled flow path.
4Manufacturing precision
If the proximal sleeve is moved towards the distal sleeve to expand the cage, then the conveying element is deployed, but the actuating part must be precisely guided relative to the base part
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating part serves as an intermediary component that translates simple axial movement into the coordinated expansion of the cage and conveying element. By guiding this single actuating part relative to the base part, the system achieves precise expansion without requiring complex multi-component guidance mechanisms.
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 design ensures reliable expansion of the cage and effective operation of the conveying element, maintaining blood flow and preventing contamination, with enhanced lubrication and cooling of the rotor shaft, thereby supporting temporary circulatory support systems effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a piston section of the base part that can be displaced axially in the inlet space
Implementation Method 2
which on the one hand enables axial displacement and on the other hand ensures the tightness of the inlet chamber
Implementation Method 3
For sufficient lubrication and flushing of the bearing points of the conveying element
Implementation Method 4
rinsing liquid can be pumped into the catheter and routed to the bearing points via the actuating part
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a catheter pump (10) having a catheter (14) and a pump head (16) for introduction into the aorta, comprising an outer catheter (34) and an inner catheter (36), a rotor shaft (38) for driving a conveying element (18) provided on the pump head (12) and having a surrounding cage (20), wherein the cage (20) has a distal and a proximal sleeve (22, 24) and filaments (26) running therebetween, wherein the proximal sleeve (22) can be moved to expand the cage (20) in the axial direction towards the distal sleeve (24). A base part (30) that is movement-coupled with the inner catheter (36) in the axial direction and an actuation part (32) that can be moved relative to the base part (30) in the axial direction and guided in or on the base part (30) are designed such that the movement of the actuation part (32) moves the proximal sleeve (22) towards the distal sleeve (24) and thereby expands the cage.