Flexible Sensor Blood Pump Thrombus Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable blood pumps lack a mechanism to detect and remove thrombus, which can impede their operation by lodging on hydrodynamic bearings, leading to mechanical issues and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating a flexible circuit assembly with light emitters and ultrasonic emitters is integrated into the blood pump, allowing for thrombus detection and removal through light path analysis and acoustic energy application, respectively, to prevent and dislodge thrombus formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hydrodynamic bearing is used to support the rotor contactlessly, then mechanical wear is eliminated, but thrombus can lodge on the bearing surface and impede operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using light emitters and detectors to detect thrombus particles before they can lodge on the hydrodynamic bearing and cause mechanical failure. The system continuously monitors the clearance space for thrombus particles, enabling early detection and alert before the particles accumulate to problematic levels on the bearing surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection system consisting of light emitters, detectors, and processing circuitry that mediates between the thrombus particles and the hydrodynamic bearing. This intermediary system allows indirect detection of thrombus through light scattering effects without requiring direct contact with the bearing surfaces, thus preserving the contactless nature of the hydrodynamic bearing while enabling monitoring.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a sensor mechanism is added to detect thrombus, then thrombus detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a light emitter/detector system that serves multiple functions: detecting thrombus particles, monitoring blood flow characteristics, and providing early warning of potential mechanical issues. The same optical components are used for both detection and characterization of thrombus, reducing the need for separate specialized sensors and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical sensing mechanisms with an optical detection system. Instead of using mechanical sensors that would require physical contact and complex calibration, the system uses light emitters and detectors that can non-contactly detect thrombus through optical scattering, simplifying the overall sensor system while improving detection capability.
3Measurement precision
If light emitters and detectors are installed in the blood pump, then thrombus detection precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible circuit boards to mount the light emitters and detectors, allowing these sensitive components to be integrated into the curved surfaces of the blood pump housing. The flexible substrate enables the optical components to conform to the pump's geometry, simplifying assembly and manufacturing compared to rigid mounting structures, while still achieving high detection precision through proper positioning.
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 system effectively detects thrombus formation and prevents its accumulation by generating alerts and applying acoustic energy, ensuring continuous and efficient blood flow by maintaining the rotor clear of thrombus deposits.
Implementation Method 1
activating a plurality of light emitters disposed within a blood pump to shine a light onto at least one from the group consisting of a rotor and a portion of blood within the blood pump, the light defining a light path. The light path is detected and observed using a plurality of light detectors in communication with the plurality of light emitters.
Implementation Method 2
activating a plurality of ultrasound emitters disposed within the blood pump to shine an amount of acoustic energy onto the at least one from the group consisting of the rotor and the portion of blood within the blood pump
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for thrombus detection and removal from a blood pump including a housing having an inlet cannula including an inner tube, a rotor disposed within the housing, the rotor being in fluid communication with the inlet cannula, and a stator disposed within the housing. The stator may be configured to rotate the rotor when a current is applied to the stator. A flexible circuit assembly may also be disposed within the housing including at least one of the group consisting of a plurality of light emitters and a plurality of ultrasound emitters.