Variable-Hardness Flexible Distal Tip for Blood Pump Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Percutaneous circulatory support devices face issues such as chordae tendineae entanglement, guidewire movement difficulties, interference with left ventricle contraction, trauma to cardiac tissue, and oscillation, which affect their performance and delivery.

Innovation Solution

A flexible distal tip for blood pumps with varying hardness segments and a cannula design that includes a guidewire lumen, allowing for navigation through cardiac structures while minimizing trauma and maintaining stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid distal tip is used, then structural stability is improved, but trauma to cardiac tissue and chordae tendineae entanglement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidtrauma to cardiac tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The distal tip is constructed as a flexible structure that can deform and conform to cardiac anatomical structures, reducing trauma while maintaining positional stability. The flexibility allows the tip to navigate complex geometries without causing tissue damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The distal tip employs a gradient of mechanical properties, with varying durometer values along its length. This parameter change allows different segments to provide different functions: softer regions for tissue contact and harder regions for structural support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a flexible distal tip is used, then trauma to cardiac tissue is reduced, but guidewire movement difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrauma to cardiac tissueVSAvoidguidewire movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Different segments of the distal tip have different mechanical properties tailored to their specific functions. The proximal portion is softer for tissue compatibility, while the distal portion is harder to facilitate guidewire passage and maintain positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The distal tip is divided into multiple segments with varying durometer values, allowing each segment to perform its specific function optimally while working together as an integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If a stiff cannula is used, then blood pump stability is improved, but oscillation and interference with left ventricle contraction increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood pump stabilityVSAvoidoscillation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cannula incorporates flexible elements that allow it to move with cardiac contraction rather than resist it, reducing oscillation and interference with ventricular function while maintaining pump stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The cannula design transitions from static rigidity to dynamic flexibility, allowing it to adapt its stiffness characteristics in response to cardiac motion and blood flow conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Object-affected harmful factors

If a complex distal tip structure is used, then entanglement reduction is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveentanglementVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The distal tip incorporates curved and rounded geometries that prevent snagging on cardiac structures. The smooth contours and absence of sharp edges reduce entanglement risk while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 flexible distal tip reduces entanglement and trauma, stabilizes the blood pump, and enhances navigation and efficiency by absorbing forces and minimizing oscillation.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible distal tip for use in a blood pump... the flexible distal tip reduces entanglement and trauma, stabilizes the blood pump, and enhances navigation and efficiency by absorbing forces and minimizing oscillation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12397146B2Flexible tip for transvalvular circulatory support device

Publication Date: 2025.08.26 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards apparatuses, systems, and methods that may include a blood pump. The blood pump may include a flexible distal tip having a distal end segment, an intermediate segment, and a proximal segment, each segment having various shapes and/or hardness. The blood pump may include a cannula and a can element coupling the flexible distal tip to the cannula.