Descending Aorta Peristaltic Pump for Bidirectional Perfusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intravascular circulatory support devices, such as IABPs and impeller-based systems, primarily assist either left ventricular unloading or augment downstream perfusion without regard for balanced systemic distribution, leading to perfusion imbalance and under-perfusion of critical organs.
Innovation Solution
A bidirectional intravascular blood pump system with a stent housing and inflatable pump chamber, featuring selectively inflatable check valves and a controller that synchronizes with the cardiac cycle to enable balanced systemic and cerebral perfusion by alternating flow direction within the descending aorta.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If unidirectional pumps (IABPs) are used to assist left ventricular unloading, then ventricular support is improved, but downstream perfusion balance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pump elements are configured to alternate between unidirectional and bidirectional flow modes dynamically. During certain cardiac phases, the pump elements redirect flow to provide upstream perfusion to critical organs, while during other phases they provide downstream flow for ventricular unloading. This dynamic flow direction control resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptable to different physiological needs at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow direction parameter by controlling the inflation and deflation sequence of pump elements. By altering the timing and sequence of element inflation, the system can switch between providing purely downstream flow (for ventricular support) and providing bidirectional flow (for balanced systemic and cerebral perfusion), thus resolving the contradiction between reliable ventricular support and adaptable systemic distribution.
2Productivity
If fixed flow direction pumps are used, then directional pumping efficiency is improved, but perfusion balance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pump elements operate in periodic cycles, alternating between phases of unidirectional downstream pumping and phases of bidirectional flow. This periodic switching allows the system to maintain high pumping efficiency during each phase while periodically adjusting flow distribution to maintain perfusion balance, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts flow direction by controlling which pump elements are inflated at each cardiac phase. The controller coordinates element inflation to achieve efficient downstream flow during ventricular ejection phases and enables upstream flow during diastole, maintaining both pumping efficiency and perfusion balance through dynamic adaptation.
3Productivity
If balloon-based pumps inflate during diastole to push blood downstream, then downstream perfusion is improved, but upstream perfusion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of only inflating balloons during diastole to push blood downstream, the system inverts the approach by coordinating balloon inflation with the cardiac cycle phases that optimize both upstream and downstream flow. The controller times element inflation to occur during phases that naturally favor upstream flow toward critical organs, while still maintaining downstream perfusion, thus resolving the contradiction through inverted timing strategy.
Solution Approach 2:
The aorta is segmented into multiple regions served by different pump elements. Some elements are positioned and controlled to primarily affect downstream flow, while others are controlled to primarily affect upstream flow to critical organs. This segmentation allows simultaneous improvement of both downstream perfusion and upstream territory support without the trade-off present in single-directional balloon pumps.
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 achieves bidirectional perfusion, synchronizing with the cardiac cycle to optimize systemic and cerebral perfusion while minimizing vascular trauma and preserving branch perfusion.
Implementation Method 1
The pump includes a stent, a pumping chamber located within the stent, one or more pump elements positioned within the pumping chamber. The one or more pump elements are configured to force fluid through both the chamber first end and the chamber second end simultaneously, thereby enabling bidirectional perfusion.
Implementation Method 2
at least a first check element configured to regulate fluid flow through a chamber end. The first check element is configured to prevent backflow through the chamber first end, and in some embodiments, a second check element is provided and configured to regulate flow through the chamber second end.
Implementation Method 3
the one or more inflatable stent shields are configured to contact a wall of an aorta and provide a soft interface to reduce abrasion and promote anchoring
Implementation Method 4
the pump includes a controller configured to cause the one or more pump elements to inflate in synchronization with a cardiac cycle, for example when the aortic valve is closed, enabling coordinated augmentation of native heart function
Data Source
AI summary
A bidirectional intravascular blood pump system is disclosed for deployment in the descending aorta to improve perfusion in both upper and lower extremities. In some embodiments, the system includes a flexible stent housing containing an inflatable pump chamber and selectively inflatable proximal and distal check valves. In some embodiments, a controller sequences inflation and deflation of the pump components in coordination with the cardiac cycle. In some embodiments, the system capable of dynamically providing flow in opposite directions within the descending aorta to optimize systemic and cerebral perfusion. In some embodiments, the system can direct blood flow in either direction through the aorta by an inflation sequence of the check valves and pump chamber. In some embodiments, one or more bypasses in a check element, stent, and/or formed from selective inflation, enable pressurization of the aortic arch when timed with the closing of the aortic valve.