Contra-rotating Impeller VAD for Minimally Invasive Perfusion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices, such as Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs), are invasive, require major surgery, and can disrupt normal heart function and cause blood damage due to inefficiencies and high power requirements.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical circulatory support heart-assist device with two contra-rotating impellers, designed for minimally invasive implantation and removal, which reduces disruption to the heart and minimizes blood damage by optimizing fluid dynamic efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If VADs are installed to provide mechanical circulatory support, then cardiac output is improved, but surgical invasiveness and risk increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecardiac outputVSAvoidsurgical invasiveness and risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical surgical implantation system with a percutaneous delivery system. The VAD is delivered through a catheter inserted via the femoral vein, eliminating the need for sternotomy or thoracotomy. This substitution of delivery mechanism reduces surgical trauma while maintaining the mechanical circulatory support function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a catheter as an intermediary device to deliver the VAD to the target location. The catheter serves as a mediator that allows the VAD to be positioned in the left ventricle through the venous system without direct surgical access to the heart, thereby reducing surgical invasiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If VADs are installed to assist ventricle function, then cardiac output is improved, but normal heart function is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecardiac outputVSAvoidnormal heart function

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional VAD configuration by delivering the device through the venous system (right side of heart) rather than the arterial system (left side of heart). The VAD is positioned to drain into the left ventricle from the venous side, reversing the conventional approach and potentially reducing disruption to normal heart function while maintaining cardiac output support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If VADs are installed to provide circulatory support, then cardiac output is improved, but blood damage increases due to inefficiencies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecardiac outputVSAvoidblood damage (hemolysis and thrombosis)

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the VAD design parameters including impeller geometry, rotational speed, and housing configuration to improve fluid dynamic efficiency. These parameter changes reduce shear stress on blood cells and minimize turbulence, thereby reducing hemolysis and thrombosis while maintaining effective cardiac output support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 perfusion with reduced hemolysis and thrombosis, allowing for less invasive surgery and potentially improving heart muscle regeneration by minimizing disruption to the native heart.

Implementation Method 1

a pump for driving fluid flow from the inlet port towards the outlet port

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid dynamics:

Data Source

PatentUS20250114592A1Removable mechanical circulatory support for short term use

Publication Date: 2025.04.10 TORVION MEDICAL INC

AI summary

A temporary, removable mechanical circulatory support heart-assist device has at least two propellers or impellers. Each propeller or impeller has a number of blades arranged around an axis of rotation. The blades are configured to pump blood. The two propellers or impellers rotate in opposite directions from each other. The device can be configured to be implanted and removed with minimally invasive surgery.