Catheter Pump Sensor Positioning for High-Flow Percutaneous Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical circulatory support devices for treating acute heart failure are either too large for percutaneous insertion or provide insufficient flow, and there is a need for a robust and reliable connection between the motor and impeller in rotary blood pumps.
Innovation Solution
A catheter pump with a flexible proximal body secured by a robust mechanical interface and equipped with sensors to determine its position relative to cardiac valves, allowing percutaneous insertion and high flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fixed cross-section ventricular assist devices are designed to provide partial or near full heart flow rate, then flow support is improved, but device size becomes too large for percutaneous insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter pump is divided into multiple segments with variable cross-sections along its length. The proximal portion has a first cross-section and the distal portion has a second cross-section, allowing different sections to serve different functions - the proximal section provides structural support and motor housing while the distal section provides the necessary flow path, enabling high flow rates in a compact percutaneous format
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter pump employs a rotatable impeller that can rotate at variable speeds to dynamically adjust flow rates. The impeller's rotation creates dynamic flow patterns that optimize blood pumping efficiency while maintaining a compact catheter structure suitable for percutaneous insertion
2Productivity
If rotary blood pumps are designed to provide high flow rates, then circulatory support is improved, but the connection between motor and impeller becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible drive shaft connects the external motor to the internal impeller, allowing the motor to be positioned outside the body while transmitting rotational motion to the impeller inside the heart chamber. The flexible shaft accommodates movement and positioning variations while maintaining the drive connection
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible drive shaft serves as an intermediary element between the external motor and the internal impeller, enabling remote motor control while maintaining mechanical coupling. This intermediary allows the motor to be positioned externally for easier access and cooling while still driving the impeller effectively
3Ease of operation
If the catheter pump is designed with a compact form factor for percutaneous approaches, then ease of insertion is improved, but flow capacity becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter pump employs variable cross-sectional design where the proximal portion has a larger cross-section for motor housing and structural support, while the distal portion has a smaller cross-section for percutaneous insertion. The impeller is positioned in the distal portion and rotates to generate flow through the variable cross-section channels, achieving high flow capacity in a compact form factor suitable for percutaneous insertion
Solution Approach 2:
The pump utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement of the impeller and channels, with the impeller rotating in a plane that optimizes flow path efficiency. The variable cross-section design creates optimal flow patterns in multiple dimensions, maximizing flow capacity within the constraints of a compact percutaneous form factor
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 catheter pump achieves high flow rates up to and exceeding natural heart output while maintaining a compact form factor, ensuring reliable operation and precise positioning.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor is disposed near an inlet of the impeller assembly. The sensor is configured to measure a pressure of blood flowing through the inlet.
Implementation Method 2
An impeller is disposed within the cannula. The impeller is configured to pump blood through the cannula from the left ventricle through the aorta.
Implementation Method 3
A rotary blood pump is typically inserted into the body and connected to the cardiovascular system... to assist the pumping function of the heart... utilizing an electric motor which drives an impeller pump at relatively high speeds
Data Source
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AI summary
Sensors for catheter pumps are disclosed herein. The catheter pump can include a catheter assembly comprising a catheter and a cannula coupled to a distal portion of the catheter. The cannula can have a proximal port for permitting the flow of blood therethrough. The catheter assembly can include a sensor to be disposed near the proximal port. A processing unit can be programmed to process a signal detected by the sensor. The processing unit can comprise a computer-readable set of rules to evaluate the signal to determine a position of the cannula relative to an aortic valve of a patient.