Intravascular Pump Catheter With a Collapsible Membrane Chamber
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intravascular blood pumps face challenges in optimizing cannula size for varying patient anatomy, balancing blood flow and manufacturability, and reducing interference with vascular structures.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a catheter with a membrane chamber containing an inflatable membrane and separate valve chambers, allowing for one-way valves to be positioned off the membrane chamber, which reduces interference and maximizes blood flow while accommodating anatomical variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the cannula size is increased to maximize blood flow, then blood flow is improved, but the device becomes difficult to insert through narrow portions of the vasculature
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is designed with a collapsible membrane chamber that can dynamically change its profile from a compressed state during insertion to an expanded state during operation. This allows the device to pass through narrow vascular portions while maintaining sufficient blood flow capability when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into separate functional components: the membrane chamber for blood flow, the valve chambers for one-way flow control, and the cannula for vascular access. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the cannula can be sized for insertion while the membrane chamber expands to provide adequate blood flow.
2Adaptability or versatility
If elements are added to the cannula to improve functionality, then device capability is enhanced, but blood flow around the cannula is reduced or slowed
Solution Approach 1:
The valve chambers are positioned in a different spatial dimension relative to the cannula - specifically, they are located in the membrane chamber or adjacent to it, rather than being integrated onto the cannula surface. This dimensional separation allows blood flow to occur around the cannula without interference from valve elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve function is extracted from the cannula structure and placed into separate valve chambers. This extraction removes the harmful effect of valve elements blocking blood flow around the cannula, while preserving the necessary one-way flow control functionality.
3Productivity
If the membrane chamber is made larger to improve blood flow, then blood flow is enhanced, but the device profile increases making insertion more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane chamber is designed as a collapsible structure that can be compressed to a small profile during insertion and then expanded to a large volume during operation. This dynamic transformation allows the device to overcome the contradiction between insertion size and blood flow capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane chamber can be nested within or alongside the cannula during insertion, with the inflatable membrane contained within the chamber. This nesting arrangement minimizes the overall device profile for insertion while allowing the membrane chamber to expand independently to provide adequate blood flow volume.
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
This configuration enhances blood flow efficiency, improves manufacturability, and allows for customizable positioning to optimize perfusion to specific anatomical areas, such as cerebral and renal regions.
Implementation Method 1
An inflatable membrane is disposed within the membrane chamber... Inflation of the membrane permits blood to exit the catheter and deflation of the membrane permits blood to enter the catheter
Implementation Method 2
a first one-way valve configured to permit blood flow in a first direction
Data Source
AI summary
An intravascular device for pumping blood includes a catheter comprising a membrane chamber located between a proximal end and a distal end of the catheter. An inflatable membrane is disposed within the membrane chamber. The intravascular device includes a first one-way valve and optionally a second one-way valve configured to permit blood flow in a first direction. The first one-way valve may be positioned proximal to the membrane chamber, and the second one-way valve may be positioned distal to the membrane chamber. Methods related to intravascular devices and their respective use are provided.