Catheter Pump with Valves for Cardiac Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanical circulation support systems for acute cardiac insufficiency are limited by cost, invasiveness, and effectiveness, particularly in cases of cardiac arrest or aortic valve incompetence, as they often require invasive procedures and have restricted pump capacity due to vessel diameter constraints.
Innovation Solution
A device with a catheter and pump system equipped with valves for controlled fluid transport, allowing for minimal external surface area and high pump capacity, capable of supporting both left and right heart chambers, including use in patients with aortic valve incompetence, through a collapsible design for minimally invasive insertion and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If invasive mechanical circulation support systems are used, then cardiac support capacity is improved, but invasiveness and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pump device is nested within the catheter structure, with the pump chamber formed inside the catheter body. This integration allows the pump to be delivered through standard catheter access routes without requiring separate invasive surgical implantation, thereby maintaining high cardiac support capacity while reducing invasiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The device combines multiple functions into a single integrated system: the catheter serves as both the delivery vehicle and the housing for the pump, while the pump itself provides both blood extraction and blood return functions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple separate invasive devices, reducing overall invasiveness while maintaining comprehensive cardiac support
2Productivity
If pump capacity is increased to support acute cardiac insufficiency, then circulatory support is improved, but device complexity and invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pump chamber is segmented into distinct functional zones: an inlet portion with inlet openings for blood extraction, a pumping portion with pumping elements, and an outlet portion with outlet openings for blood return. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining a compact overall structure that does not increase device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The pump chamber is formed as a flexible, collapsible structure within the catheter, allowing it to expand during blood filling and contract during blood ejection. This flexible design enables high pump capacity without requiring a large, complex rigid structure, thereby increasing productivity while minimizing device complexity
3Ease of operation
If minimal invasive insertion is used, then ease of operation is improved, but pump capacity is limited by vessel diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The pump chamber and pumping elements are designed to be dynamically deployable: the catheter is introduced in a collapsed state through small vessels for easy insertion, then the pump chamber is expanded to its full functional size once positioned in the heart. This dynamic transformation allows minimal invasive insertion while achieving high pump capacity, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The pump components are nested within the catheter in a compact configuration for delivery, allowing the entire assembly to pass through small vessels. Upon deployment, the nested components unfold or expand to provide full pump capacity. This nesting strategy enables both minimal invasive insertion and high productivity without compromise
4Reliability
If IABP is used to support cardiac action, then myocardial oxygen consumption is reduced, but effectiveness is limited in cardiac arrest and aortic valve incompetence
Solution Approach 1:
The pump device directly extracts blood from the left ventricle and returns it to the aorta, creating a self-contained circulation support system that does not depend on the patient's native cardiac function or aortic valve competence. This self-service approach allows the device to effectively support patients in cardiac arrest or with severe aortic valve incompetence, greatly enhancing adaptability while maintaining reliability across diverse cardiac conditions
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 device provides effective cardiac and circulatory support with enhanced pump capacity, stability, and adaptability, enabling use in various heart chamber conditions while minimizing invasiveness and avoiding complications like haemolysis, thus improving organ perfusion and treatment options for acute cardiac insufficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a pump device for directed transport of the body fluid between the at least one inlet portion and the at least one outlet portion of the catheter device
Implementation Method 2
a valve arrangement coupled to the catheter device for controlled uptake of the body fluid as a function of operation of the pump device at the at least one inlet portion of the catheter device and controlled discharge of the body fluid at the at least one outlet portion of the catheter device
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for circulating a body fluid in a body of a living organism, especially to support the heart and/or circulation of the living organism, comprising a catheter device which has at least one inlet portion to take up the body fluid at at least one first location within the body of the living organism, at least one outlet portion some distance from the at least one inlet portion to discharge the body fluid at at least one second location some distance from the at least one first location within the body of the living organism and a pump device for directed transport of the body fluid between the at least one inlet portion and the at least one outlet portion of the catheter device; and a valve arrangement coupled to the catheter device for controlled uptake of the body fluid as a function of operation of the pump device at the at least one inlet portion of the catheter device and controlled discharge of the body fluid at the at least one outlet portion of the catheter device.