Expandable Blood Pump Housing Using Segmented Membrane Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical housings for functional elements, such as micropumps, face challenges in being easily compressible and expandable with minimal constructional complexity while maintaining stability, especially for use in the body where small size and non-damaging introduction are crucial.
Innovation Solution
A housing with a slack, flexible membrane supported by formed parts that can be tensioned and folded without substantial resistance, using biocompatible materials and designed to be stable and non-obstructive to fluid flow, allowing for expansion and compression through internal pressure without notable counter-forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the housing is made small and flexible for introduction into body vessels, then it can be easily introduced through small incisions, but it lacks the stability required for proper operation
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple discrete formed parts (ribs, struts, or plates) that are distributed across the membrane surface. These segmented elements provide localized structural support while allowing the overall housing to maintain a compact, flexible form for introduction through small vessels.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing transitions from a compressed, flexible state during introduction to an expanded, stable state during operation. The formed parts are designed to engage with the membrane and provide rigid support when the housing is in its tensioned, expanded configuration, while allowing flexibility when compressed.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the housing is made rigid to ensure operational stability, then it provides proper support for the functional element, but it cannot be easily compressed for introduction into body vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The housing employs a flexible membrane as its base structure, which can be easily compressed and introduced through small vessels. Formed parts (ribs, struts, or plates) are attached to this flexible membrane to provide rigid support and stability when the housing is in its expanded, operational state.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure dynamically transitions between flexible and rigid states. During introduction, the housing remains flexible and compressed; during operation, the formed parts engage with the membrane to provide rigid structural support while maintaining the ability to conform to the expanded shape.
3Stability of the object's composition
If formed parts are added to support the membrane in the tensioned state, then housing stability is improved, but constructional complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire housing structure complex, formed parts are strategically positioned only where membrane support is needed. The formed parts can be simple geometric shapes (ribs, struts, or plates) with specific orientations and distributions that provide maximum structural efficiency with minimal complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing support structure is divided into multiple discrete formed parts rather than a single complex component. These segmented elements can be independently manufactured and attached to the membrane, simplifying construction while providing distributed structural support across the housing surface.
4Ease of operation
If the housing is designed to expand and compress with minimal resistance, then ease of introduction and retraction is improved, but structural stability during operation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The housing uses a flexible membrane that can easily expand and compress with minimal resistance, facilitating smooth introduction and retraction through body vessels. When the housing is in its expanded, operational state, formed parts attach to the membrane to provide rigid structural support and maintain stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing exhibits dynamic mechanical properties: highly flexible and low-resistance during compression and expansion phases, but transitions to a rigid, stable structure when in the expanded operational state. The formed parts engage with the membrane to provide this structural transformation.
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 solution enables simple, cost-effective expandability and stability of the housing, facilitating easy movement through body vessels with minimal force expenditure, suitable for medical applications like blood pumps, and allows for efficient operation and retraction without hindering fluid flow.
Implementation Method 1
a housing with a slack, flexible membrane supported by formed parts that can be tensioned and folded without substantial resistance, using biocompatible materials and designed to be stable and non-obstructive to fluid flow, allowing for expansion and compression through internal pressure without notable counter-forces
Data Source
AI summary
A method for selectively expanding and compressing a housing for a blood pump is described. The housing is provided in a compressed state. The housing has a slack, flexible membrane with a plurality of groups of compressed formed parts with gaps between the individual formed parts. The formed parts are moved together outwardly against the membrane to expand the membrane. A fully expanded membrane and housing is formed where the formed parts completely abut against the membrane in a gap free relationship with respect to one another.