Intravascular Blood Pump Drive Layout for Transvascular Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blood pumps have a large outer diameter due to the need for strong magnetic coupling, which makes them unsuitable for transvascular insertion.
Innovation Solution
A blood pump design with a drive unit that uses a plurality of posts arranged about the axis of rotation, each with a coil winding to create a rotating magnetic field, allowing for magnetic coupling with the impeller while maintaining a compact size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If large magnets are provided to achieve sufficiently strong magnetic coupling, then the magnetic forces are high enough, but the overall diameter of the blood pump becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The drive unit is divided into multiple segments (first drive unit and second drive unit) arranged axially. Each segment contains magnets and coil windings that work together to create the rotating magnetic field. This segmentation allows the magnetic coupling force to be distributed across multiple smaller components rather than requiring a single large magnet, thereby reducing the overall diameter of the blood pump while maintaining sufficient magnetic force for impeller rotation.
2Force
If high current is supplied to the drive unit to achieve strong magnetic coupling, then the magnetic forces are high enough, but the overall diameter of the blood pump increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive unit employs a dynamically controlled rotating magnetic field created by sequentially energizing coil windings around multiple posts. Instead of relying on high current through static magnets, the system uses time-varying magnetic fields generated by alternating current sequences. This dynamic approach creates sufficient magnetic coupling force with lower peak currents, allowing for a more compact pump design with reduced diameter.
3Device complexity
If a rotating magnetic field is used to reduce the number of rotating parts, then the mechanical complexity is reduced, but the magnetic coupling strength may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of magnet generation and magnetic field rotation into a single integrated drive unit. Multiple permanent magnets are positioned on stationary posts, and coil windings wrapped around these posts generate the rotating magnetic field that interacts with the magnets. This combination of permanent magnets and electromagnets creates strong magnetic coupling while maintaining the advantage of no mechanical rotating parts in the drive unit, thus achieving both strong force and low complexity.
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 compact design enables the blood pump to be inserted transvascularly, while the magnetic coupling reduces wear and allows for high-frequency operation, maintaining efficient blood flow.
Implementation Method 1
a coil winding is disposed about the shaft portion of each of the posts, with the coil windings being sequentially controllable so as to create the rotating magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
The impeller comprises at least one magnet, which is arranged to magnetically couple the impeller to the drive unit, i.e., to interact with the rotating magnetic field so as to cause rotation of the impeller
Data Source
AI summary
An intravascular blood pump comprises a pump casing having a blood flow inlet and a blood flow outlet, and an impeller arranged in said pump casing so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation, wherein the impeller has blades sized and shaped for conveying blood from the blood flow inlet to the blood flow outlet. The blood pump further comprises a drive unit for rotating the impeller, the drive unit comprising a plurality of posts arranged about the axis of rotation, wherein each of the posts includes a shaft portion and a head portion. Coil windings around the posts are sequentially controllable so as to create a rotating magnetic field. The drive unit further comprises a back plate which engages ends of the shaft portions of the posts opposite the head portions.