Expandable Rotor Blade Fluid Pump for Catheter Insertion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid pumps, particularly those used in medical applications like catheter pumps, face challenges in achieving a simple and reliable expansion and compression mechanism with minimal counter-force, while maintaining secure operation and avoiding damage to blood during use.
Innovation Solution
A rotor blade design featuring limp rib elements and stiff erection elements, where the rib elements are flexible when no tension is applied but stiff when tension is applied, allowing the rotor to adapt to flow pressure and distribute pressure uniformly, reducing damage and enabling efficient fluid delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pump is reduced in size for introduction into difficultly accessible space, then the ease of operation is improved, but the delivery performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is designed with expandable rotor blades that can dynamically change their configuration. During insertion, the rotor blades are in a compressed state to minimize size. Once in position, they expand to their operational configuration to achieve full delivery performance. This dynamic transformation allows the pump to satisfy both the ease of insertion and the delivery performance requirements.
2Productivity
If the pump is expanded after introduction to increase delivery performance, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor blades are designed to expand automatically upon rotation during normal pump operation. The centrifugal force generated by rotation causes the rotor blades to unfold and assume their operational configuration without requiring external actuation mechanisms. This self-expanding capability achieves full delivery performance while avoiding complex expansion mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a shape-memory material is used to change pump diameter, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump incorporates a flexible membrane as the rotor blade structure. This membrane can be radially compressed and expanded through simple mechanical means during operation, providing the required adaptability in diameter without the need for expensive shape-memory materials. The flexible membrane achieves the same functional goal at a lower manufacturing cost.
4Reliability
If rotor blades are articulated onto a shaft with actuation elements, then the reliability of fluid delivery is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates the need for complex actuation elements and articulated joints by using a monolithic flexible membrane structure. The membrane is directly mounted on the rotor shaft and expands/contracts as a single piece during rotation. This extraction of unnecessary intermediate components simplifies the structure while maintaining reliable fluid delivery through the flexible membrane's inherent ability to deform and return to shape.
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 design allows for a compact pump size for easy insertion and expansion to a stable, efficient delivery state, minimizing fluid damage and clotting risks, with reduced mechanical stress and counter-force requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the rib elements are very flexible (i.e. have a high flexural elasticity; i.e. bending is very easy)
Implementation Method 2
at least two erection elements, which are fastened distanced to one another in the longitudinal direction of the rotor shaft, in a movable manner on this
Implementation Method 3
a limp membrane is held between the rib elements, wherein the membrane is tautened in the expanded condition of the rotor
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a fluid pump, in particular liquid pump, with a rotor, with a rotor shaft (11) and with at least one rotor blade for delivering the fluid, wherein the rotor with regard to its diameter may be changed between a first, compressed condition, and a second expanded condition, wherein the at least one rotor blade comprises at least two erection elements (12, 13, 14) which are distanced to one another along the longitudinal axis (18) of the rotor shaft (11) and which project away from the shaft in the expanded condition of the rotor, as well as at least two limp rib elements (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30) which run at a distance to one another from one erection element (12, 13, 14) at least up to a further erection element, wherein a limp membrane (10) is held between the rib elements, which is tautened in the expanded condition of the rotor. A good compressibility of the rotor with low counter-forces, as well as a simple setting-up of the rotor may be achieved by the membrane-like design of the rotor blades. The membrane may for example be manufactured with the immersion method.