Circulatory Assist Device Shape Memory Impeller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current circulatory assist pumps, such as those described in U.S. 2021/0077687 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 8,617,239, while effective, still have room for improvement in terms of efficiency and integration with the body's natural pulsatility to promote optimal blood flow and organ health.
Innovation Solution
A circulatory assist device and system featuring a stent cage and impeller with shape memory materials that expand and collapse within an artery, utilizing a placement catheter to deploy and retract, ensuring the impeller's blades can rotate effectively while minimizing contact with the artery wall, and incorporating a wireless circulatory assist pump for enhanced blood flow and reduced risk of thrombosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the impeller blades are made rigid to maintain shape during rotation and assist blood flow, then the blood flow assistance function is improved, but the device cannot be collapsed within the outer sheath for minimally invasive insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The impeller blades utilize shape memory materials that can change their physical properties (rigidity/deformability) in response to temperature changes. During insertion, the blades are in a deformable state allowing collapse within the outer sheath. Upon deployment in the body, body temperature triggers the material to become rigid, enabling the blades to maintain their shape for effective blood flow assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The impeller blades transition from a static rigid structure to a dynamic structure that can change its mechanical properties. The shape memory material allows the blades to dynamically adjust between deformable (for insertion) and rigid (for operation) states, resolving the contradiction between needing rigidity for function and deformability for insertion.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the stent cage is made sufficiently rigid to expand and press against the artery wall, then anchoring stability is improved, but the device cannot be collapsed within the outer sheath for insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The stent cage is constructed from shape memory materials that undergo parameter changes based on temperature. During insertion, the material remains deformable allowing the stent to collapse within the outer sheath. After deployment, body temperature triggers the material to become rigid, providing stable anchoring against the artery wall.
3Productivity
If the impeller rotates effectively to assist blood flow, then circulatory function is improved, but contact with the artery wall increases the risk of thrombosis
Solution Approach 1:
The stent cage acts as an intermediary structure between the impeller and the artery wall. It provides a framework that allows the impeller to rotate and assist blood flow while preventing direct contact between the impeller blades and the artery wall, thereby reducing thrombosis risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is segmented into distinct functional components: the stent cage for structural support and isolation, and the impeller for blood flow assistance. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while minimizing harmful interactions.
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 provides improved blood flow and organ health by mimicking natural pulsatility, reducing the risk of thrombosis, and allowing for minimally invasive procedures, while maintaining vessel wall motion to promote Klotho protein expressions and prevent plaque formation.
Implementation Method 1
The stent cage is formed of a first material that is sufficiently rigid to expand radially outward and press against an artery wall of an artery and that is sufficiently deformable to collapse within the outer sheath. The impeller includes at least one blade formed of a second material that is sufficiently rigid to expand and retain shape while rotating and assisting blood to flow within the artery and is sufficiently deformable to collapse within the outer sheath with the stent cage.
Data Source
AI summary
A minimally invasive circulatory support device, system, and related methods. The circulatory assist devices, systems, and methods use low profile catheter-based techniques and provide temporary and chronic circulatory support depending on the needs of the patient. The circulatory assist device, systems, and methods include a stent cage and an impeller. The stent cage is formed of a first material that is sufficiently rigid to expand radially outward and press against an artery wall is sufficiently deformable to collapse within the outer sheath. The impeller includes at least one blade formed of a second material that is sufficiently rigid to expand and retain shape while rotating and assisting blood to flow within the artery and is sufficiently deformable to collapse within the outer sheath with the stent cage.