Dual-Vane Heart Pump for Independent Left–Right Outflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heart pumps lack the ability to independently control and balance left and right heart outflows, leading to potential flow and pressure imbalances, which can result in complications such as edema, vessel wall collapse, and increased arterial pressure, and they require complex sensing techniques for accurate operation.
Innovation Solution
A heart pump design with a large flow path cross-sectional area and adjustable impeller position to achieve a flat pump performance curve, allowing for improved pressure sensitivity and reduced reliance on sensors, along with a magnetic bearing system for precise impeller control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a double sided impeller rotates at a common speed, then the device can support both left and right heart, but the outflow from both cavities cannot be independently controlled and balanced
Solution Approach 1:
The impeller is divided into two independent sets of vanes (first and second vanes) that can be controlled separately. Each vane set can be rotated at different speeds independently through separate drive mechanisms, allowing independent control of outflow from the left and right heart cavities while maintaining the overall dual heart support function.
2Ease of operation
If axial displacement control is used to balance outflow, then the relative efficiencies of each side can be altered, but excessive electrical power is consumed and sensor reliability issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the natural pressure differences and flow characteristics of the heart to automatically balance outflow between sides. By designing the impeller geometry and vane configurations to be inherently balanced, the system eliminates the need for active displacement control and pressure sensors, reducing power consumption while maintaining outflow balancing capability.
3Reliability
If a steep pump curve is used, then flow-limiting characteristics are achieved to protect physiological system, but only small changes in pump flow occur for large changes in differential pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The pump curve characteristics are made dynamically adjustable through independent control of each vane set's rotational speed. The system can transition between steep and flat pump curve characteristics as needed, providing flow-limiting protection when necessary while maintaining adaptability to respond to pressure changes in the physiological system.
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 design enables better physiological response to changes in patient state, reduces the risk of complications, and enhances device compatibility by minimizing shear stress and thrombosis, while maintaining efficient blood flow.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic bearing for controlling an axial position of the impeller within the cavity
Implementation Method 2
an impeller provided within the cavity, the impeller including vanes for urging fluid from the inlet to the outlet
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 1D
AI summary
A heart pump including: a housing forming a cavity including: at least one inlet aligned with an axis of the cavity; and, at least one outlet provided in a circumferential outer wall of the cavity; an impeller provided within the cavity, the impeller including vanes for urging fluid from the inlet to the outlet; and, a drive for rotating the impeller in the cavity. The impeller has a vane height of at least 10mm.