Dual-Pump Mechanical Circulatory Support Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanical circulatory support devices for heart failure, particularly in children, face challenges such as bulkiness, mechanical failure, high power consumption, and inability to adapt to the anatomical and physiological heterogeneity of childhood heart disease, as well as the increased cardiovascular demands of physical growth.
Innovation Solution
A dual-configured mechanical blood pumping device with two continuous-flow blood pumps (axial and centrifugal) designed to support the cardiovascular needs of children, adolescents, and adults, featuring a switching mechanism that allows the device to adapt to changing pressure and flow demands, and utilizing magnetic bearings for extended lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If conventional mechanical circulatory support devices are used, then they can provide basic pumping function, but they are bulky and limit patient ambulation
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate pumps (first pump and second pump) that can operate independently or in combination, allowing the system to be scaled down in size while maintaining pumping reliability through modular configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-pump system provides multiple pumping configurations (first pump only, second pump only, or both pumps together) to accommodate different patient needs and growth stages, making the device universally applicable across various clinical scenarios
2Reliability
If adult VAD devices are used in children, then short-term support is provided, but the devices cause irregular blood flow leading to hemolysis and thrombosis
Solution Approach 1:
Each pump is designed with specific characteristics optimized for different flow requirements - the first pump provides steady flow while the second pump provides pulsatile flow, allowing selection of the appropriate flow pattern for the specific patient condition to minimize blood damage
Solution Approach 2:
The system can dynamically switch between different pump configurations and flow patterns (steady or pulsatile) to adapt to changing patient needs and growth stages, optimizing blood flow characteristics to prevent hemolysis and thrombosis
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing pediatric VAD devices are used, then some cardiovascular support is provided, but they cannot adapt to patient growth and changing cardiovascular demands
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-pump system allows dynamic reconfiguration of pumping capacity and flow patterns as the patient grows and cardiovascular demands change, providing long-term adaptability without requiring device replacement
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented dual-pump design allows independent operation or combination of pumps, providing flexible configuration options that can be adjusted to match changing patient needs while maintaining manageable system complexity
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional single-pump devices are used, then basic circulatory support is provided, but they have limited versatility for different ventricular support needs
Solution Approach 1:
The circulatory support system is segmented into two independent pumps that can be selectively activated to provide left ventricular support, right ventricular support, or biventricular support, offering versatile coverage for different clinical scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-pump configuration provides universal applicability for various ventricular support needs (LVAD, RVAD, or BiVAD) and can accommodate different patient anatomies and physiological requirements through flexible pump combination
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 versatile and adaptive mechanical circulatory support, capable of switching between axial and centrifugal modes to accommodate growth and changing cardiovascular demands, while minimizing thrombosis and hemolysis risks, and offering a compact, efficient, and long-lasting solution for heart failure support.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing magnetic bearings for extended lifespan
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanical circulatory support device is provided. The device has a housing containing separate first and second pumps. Each pump having an inlet, an outlet, and an impeller. The device also having a switching mechanism located within the housing and movable from a first position to a second position to divert blood flow within the housing to an inlet of one of the pumps and/or to bypass blood flow relative to one of the pumps within the housing.