Expandable Impeller Radial Access Ventricular Assist Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current percutaneous ventricular assist devices (pVADs) are too large for radial access sites, requiring larger vascular access sites that are associated with increased bleeding complications and longer patient follow-up. Additionally, these devices are not suitable for patients with smaller body structures, such as children.
Innovation Solution
The development of an expandable impeller for blood pump systems, including pVADs, that can be deployed through a radial artery access site. The impeller is designed to be inflatable and reconfigurable, allowing it to expand from a low-profile delivery configuration to an operable configuration that is radially expanded, enabling effective blood pumping while minimizing access site complications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If current pVADs are used, then hemodynamic support function is provided, but device size is too large for radial access sites
Solution Approach 1:
The impeller is designed with an inflatable portion that can transition between a compressed delivery configuration (small volume for radial access) and an expanded operational configuration (large volume for effective pumping). This dynamic size change allows the device to satisfy both the small access site requirement and the large pumping capacity requirement at different stages of deployment and operation.
2Ease of manufacture
If large access sites are used, then device delivery is enabled, but bleeding complications and follow-up time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable impeller enables delivery through small radial access sites by maintaining a low-profile compressed configuration during insertion, then expanding to full size after deployment. This eliminates the need for large access sites, thereby reducing bleeding complications and simplifying post-procedural management.
3Ease of operation
If device size is reduced, then radial access is enabled, but pumping effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The impeller maintains pumping effectiveness by expanding to a large operational size after delivery, ensuring adequate pumping capacity. The inflatable design allows the device to have small delivery dimensions for radial access while achieving large operational dimensions for effective blood pumping, thus resolving the contradiction between access site flexibility and pumping effectiveness.
4Reliability
If current pVAD design is used, then hemodynamic support is provided, but device is not suitable for children and patients with smaller body structures
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable impeller provides adaptability to different patient sizes by allowing the device to be delivered through small access sites suitable for children and smaller patients, then expanded to provide adequate pumping capacity. This dynamic scaling capability makes the device suitable for a broader range of patients including pediatrics.
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 expandable impeller design allows for the deployment of pVADs through smaller access sites, reducing bleeding complications and enabling the use of these devices in patients with smaller body structures. The inflatable and reconfigurable nature of the impeller ensures effective blood pumping while maintaining a compact profile for delivery.
Implementation Method 1
The impeller can include an inflatable portion and a noninflatable web portion attached to and peripherally surrounded by the inflatable portion
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of percutaneous ventricular assist devices have an expandable pump impeller and an associated flexible drive shaft. The drive shaft can be coupled to a motor located external to the patient. The motor can rotate the drive shaft to spin the pump impeller inside of the pump housing, causing blood to be pumped within the patient. In some embodiments, the pump impeller is inflatable and/or self-expandable. The percutaneous ventricular assist devices with inflatable or self-expandable pump impellers are designed to have very small delivery profiles. Accordingly, various deployment modalities, including radial artery deployment, are practicable using the two-part percutaneous ventricular assist devices described herein.