Electromagnetic Vascular Pump for Pulsatile Flow and Thrombosis Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing circulatory assist devices cause hemolysis and thrombosis due to mechanical impellers and may dislodge blood clots, while failing to simulate natural blood flow dynamics effectively.

Innovation Solution

A magnetically and/or electromagnetically activated circulatory assist device with pulsating balloons or chambers made of piezoelectric materials that respond to electromagnetic fields, simulating natural blood flow and reducing thrombosis by coordinated constriction and expansion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If mechanical impellers are used in circulatory assist devices, then blood flow can be generated, but hemolysis and thrombosis occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood flow generationVSAvoidhemolysis and thrombosis

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical impellers with a magnetic field-driven system. Magnets positioned outside the blood vessel generate rotating magnetic fields that directly actuate magnetic elements within the device, eliminating mechanical contact between moving parts and blood, thereby preventing hemolysis and thrombosis while maintaining blood flow generation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces magnetic fields as an intermediary between the actuation system and the blood. External magnets transmit rotational motion through magnetic field interaction with internal magnetic elements, without direct mechanical contact, serving as a non-invasive mediator that drives blood flow while avoiding blood cell damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If traditional circulatory assist devices are used, then blood flow is moved, but natural blood flow dynamics are not simulated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood flow movementVSAvoidsimulation of natural blood flow dynamics

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic actuation of multiple balloons in a sequential manner to simulate the natural pulsatile flow of blood. The balloons are inflated and deflated in a rhythmic sequence, creating wave-like propulsion that mimics physiological blood flow patterns, improving the reliability of natural flow dynamics simulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from static or continuously rotating blood flow generation to dynamic, pulsatile flow simulation. The system uses time-varying magnetic fields to create periodic expansion and contraction of balloons, dynamically adjusting flow characteristics to match natural blood flow patterns throughout the cardiac cycle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If pulsating balloons are used to simulate natural flow, then thrombosis is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethrombosis reductionVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple functions into the balloon structure itself. The balloons serve both as flow propulsion elements and as thrombosis prevention mechanisms through their pulsating motion. Additionally, the same magnetic actuation system controls both balloon inflation/deflation sequences, reducing the need for separate mechanical actuation systems and offsetting the complexity increase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 simulates natural blood flow, reduces thrombosis, and minimizes hemolysis by using electromagnetic actuation to pulsate and vibrate within the blood vessel, improving hemodynamics and organ health.

Implementation Method 1

pulsating balloons or chambers made of piezoelectric materials that respond to electromagnetic fields

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

magnetically and/or electromagnetically activated circulatory assist device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic field interaction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

using electromagnetic actuation to pulsate and vibrate within the blood vessel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20250339668A1Vascular pump

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 SECOND HEART ASSIST INC

AI summary

Described is a device that includes a distal end and a proximal end, the device having a sensor attached at the distal end for receiving electromagnetic frequencies for controlling an impeller. The impeller moves fluid within a conduit based upon the received electromagnetic frequencies. Two or more chambers are positioned proximally and distally relative to the impeller. The impeller is positioned between the two or more chambers. The chambers preferably contain vibrational or piezoelectric materials to move or vibrate upon receiving one or more of the electromagnetic frequencies so as to reduce thrombosis.