Catheter Pump Sheath System Composite Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanical circulatory support devices for heart failure, such as intra-aortic balloon pumps and rotary blood pumps, face challenges in providing reliable and efficient support due to the need for robust connections between motor and impeller components, especially when the pump is remote from the motor, and require compact, efficient designs for minimally-invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
A catheter pump assembly with a flexible polymeric catheter body and a metallic tubular member, featuring mechanical interfaces that securely integrate the components, allowing for high rotational speeds and reliable routing of infusate, and an expandable impeller assembly that can be collapsed for percutaneous delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible catheter body is used to enable minimally-invasive delivery, then ease of delivery and adaptability are improved, but mechanical strength and connection reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter body is constructed from composite materials including a flexible polymeric catheter body combined with a metallic tubular member. This composite structure provides both the flexibility needed for minimally-invasive delivery through the polymeric material and the mechanical strength required for reliable connections through the metallic component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the flexible polymeric catheter body with a rigid metallic tubular member to create a hybrid structure. The metallic member is integrated with the polymeric body through mechanical interfaces, merging the advantages of both materials: flexibility and conformability from the polymer, and strength and rigidity from the metal.
2Ease of operation
If the pump is positioned remote from the motor to reduce device size, then ease of operation and adaptability are improved, but connection reliability and mechanical stability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate segments: the motor assembly and the pump (impeller) assembly. This segmentation allows the pump to be positioned remotely from the motor, enabling flexible routing and minimally-invasive delivery while maintaining functional separation. The segments are connected through a drive shaft that transmits rotational power.
Solution Approach 2:
A drive shaft acts as an intermediary component between the motor and the impeller. This intermediate element transmits rotational force from the motor to the impeller over a distance, enabling remote pump positioning while maintaining reliable mechanical connection. The drive shaft serves as the mediator that bridges the gap between the separated motor and pump components.
3Length of moving object
If compact design is used for percutaneous delivery, then ease of delivery is improved, but manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter pump assembly utilizes a nested configuration where the impeller is positioned within the catheter body, and various components are arranged in concentric or nested patterns. This nesting approach achieves compact size for percutaneous delivery while organizing complex components in a structured manner that facilitates assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs three-dimensional arrangement of components, with the impeller rotating within the catheter lumen and the drive shaft extending along the longitudinal axis. This spatial organization in multiple dimensions achieves compact overall size while providing clear assembly pathways and reducing manufacturing complexity despite the sophisticated functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of coupling components of a catheter pump assembly includes providing an elongate polymeric tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end, and also providing a metallic tubular body having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The method further includes positioning a mechanical interface having a first interface zone and a second interface zone such that the first interface zone is disposed over a portion of the elongate polymeric tubular body adjacent to the distal end thereof. The method also includes flowing the polymer into the first interface zone, whereby the elongate polymeric tubular body becomes joined with the first interface zone of the mechanical interface, and coupling the metallic tubular body with the second interface zone of the mechanical interface.