Electromagnetically-driven heart pump with wireless power transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heart pumps require invasive surgical procedures, including incisions and the use of wires piercing the skin, which can lead to complications such as infection and poor patient outcomes, and necessitate the use of a cardiopulmonary bypass, posing risks like stroke and death.
Innovation Solution
A transapical expandable heart pump system with a geometric housing outside the body, wirelessly powering a geometric plate inside the body, which includes a self-expanding ventriculo-arterial conduit and cannula valve, allowing for fluid transfer without skin penetration and cardiopulmonary bypass, using centrifugal or axial flow and electromagnetic coupling for propulsion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional heart pump implantation is performed with incisions and skin-piercing wires, then the pump can be connected and powered, but the risk of infection and complications increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wire connection system with an electromagnetic power transmission system. The external motor generates electromagnetic fields that wirelessly power the pump through the skin, eliminating the need for skin-piercing wires and reducing infection risk while maintaining pump functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic fields as an intermediary between the external motor and the implanted pump. This intermediary enables power transmission without direct physical contact through the skin, resolving the contradiction between reliable power delivery and infection prevention
2Reliability
If extensive surgical procedure with cardiopulmonary bypass is used, then the pump can be properly implanted, but the risk of stroke and death increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heart pump system into two separate components: an external motor unit and an implanted pump unit. This segmentation allows the pump to be implanted through a minimally invasive catheter procedure without requiring the patient to undergo full cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, thereby improving safety while maintaining implantation effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the pump is delivered through a catheter that is inserted through the skin and advanced into the heart. The pump is nested within the catheter during delivery, allowing implantation through a small incision without extensive surgical exposure or cardiopulmonary bypass
3Ease of operation
If the pump motor is placed inside the body, then wireless power delivery is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the motor component from the implanted pump and places it outside the body. This extraction allows the implanted device to be simpler and fully implantable, while the external motor provides wireless power through electromagnetic coupling, achieving ease of operation without excessive system complexity
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
This approach reduces trauma to the heart, minimizes infection risk by eliminating skin-piercing wires, and avoids the risks associated with cardiopulmonary bypass, enabling safer and less invasive heart pump placement and operation.
Implementation Method 1
uses centrifugal or axial flow and electromagnetic coupling for propulsion
Implementation Method 2
uses centrifugal or axial flow to transfer fluid from one location to another
Implementation Method 3
uses centrifugal or axial flow to transfer fluid from one location to another
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a novel implantable transapical expandable heart pump with an extracorporeal motor, battery, and microprocessor that incorporates a valve. The pump can be placed through transapical puncture and does not require cutting the heart. The device can function in the left side of the heart expanding in the left ventricle and extending across the aortic valve to the ascending aorta; as well as the right side of the heart expanding in the right ventricle crossing the pulmonary valve into the main pulmonary artery. The device can replace full heart function when both sides are implanted.