Electroactive Polymer Inner Member for Circulatory Assist Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for assisting heart function in pumping blood lack efficient mechanisms for dynamic expansion and contraction to enhance blood circulation, particularly in providing supplemental pumping action beyond the capabilities of the left ventricle.
Innovation Solution
A medical device featuring a tubular scaffold with a flexible inner member and an activation assembly, including conductive electrodes or electroactive polymers, which shifts between configurations upon electrical stimulation to draw and pump blood, utilizing electroactive materials to radially expand and contract, thereby assisting the heart in circulating blood.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional medical devices are used for heart assistance, then the device structure is simple, but the device lacks efficient dynamic expansion and contraction mechanisms to enhance blood circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical pumping mechanisms with electroactive polymer materials that respond to electrical stimuli. The inner member includes electroactive polymer layers with embedded electrodes that expand and contract radially when electrical voltage is applied, eliminating the need for complex mechanical actuators, gears, or pistons while achieving efficient blood circulation enhancement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in the physical state of electroactive polymer materials in response to electrical parameters. When voltage is applied to the electrodes, the electroactive polymer undergoes phase or structural changes that cause radial expansion; when voltage is removed, the material returns to its original state, causing contraction. This dynamic parameter change enables the pumping action without mechanical complexity
2Productivity
If electroactive materials are used to provide dynamic expansion and contraction, then the pumping action is enhanced, but the device complexity increases due to activation assemblies and conductive members
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the activation function directly into the inner member structure by embedding conductive members and electrodes within the electroactive polymer layers. The activation assembly is not a separate complex mechanism but is integrated into the wall structure of the inner member, simplifying the overall device architecture while maintaining pumping efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The electroactive polymer material serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural integrity as the inner member wall, acts as the actuator for expansion and contraction, and works with the embedded electrodes to receive and respond to electrical stimuli. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the device design
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 effectively enhances blood circulation by providing additional pumping action, allowing for efficient drawing and expulsion of blood through the use of electroactive materials that change shape in response to electrical stimuli, thereby supporting the heart's function.
Implementation Method 1
the inner member includes an electroactive polymer
Data Source
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AI summary
An example medical device is disclosed. The example medical device includes a tubular scaffold having an inner surface and an outer surface. The medical device also includes a flexible inner member extending along at least a portion of the inner surface of the scaffold. Further, the medical device includes an activation assembly positioned along a portion of the inner member, the activation assembly including a conductive member having a first end region and a second end region, wherein a portion of the first end region is coupled to an activation element, and wherein the second end region is coupled to a power source. Additionally, the power source is configured to deliver an electrical stimulus to the activation element which shifts the inner member between a first configuration and a second expanded configuration.