Heart Pump Geometry for Sensor-Free Flow Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heart pumps lack the ability to mimic the natural heart's pressure sensitivity and flow balancing mechanisms, leading to potential flow and pressure imbalances that can cause complications such as edema, vessel wall collapse, and increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke, and they often require complex sensing techniques for control, which are inaccurate and power-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A heart pump design with a large flow path area and adjustable impeller position to achieve a flat pump performance curve, allowing for pressure-sensitive control without the need for complex sensors, and incorporating a magnetic bearing system for impeller control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If active control with pressure sensors is used to maintain desired axial location, then flow balance between left and right sides is improved, but electrical power consumption increases and reliability decreases due to blood contacting sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The pump housing and impeller are designed with specific geometric relationships (flow path area ratios, axial distance proportions) that enable the device to automatically balance flow between left and right sides without requiring external sensors or active control systems. The geometry itself provides the flow balancing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the proposed active control system with pressure sensors and feedback loops with a passive geometric design. The flow balancing is achieved through carefully designed flow path areas and axial distances rather than through active mechanical or electronic control systems.
2Measurement precision
If complex sensing techniques are used for control, then flow and pressure control precision is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses its own geometric structure to provide flow and pressure regulation. The flow path area ratios and axial distances are designed to naturally produce the desired flow characteristics and pressure sensitivity without requiring external sensing or control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves flow and pressure control by optimizing geometric parameters (flow path area, axial distances, impeller dimensions) rather than through complex sensing and active control. The geometric parameters are selected to provide the desired pressure sensitivity and flow balancing characteristics.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If steep pump curve is used to limit flow, then protection against harmful flow rates is improved, but adaptability to physiological changes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the pump with specific geometric parameters (flow path area ratios, axial distances) that create a pressure-sensitive flow characteristic. This allows the pump to adapt its flow output based on physiological pressure changes while still providing protection against harmful flow rates through the inherent pressure sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump is designed to be dynamically responsive to pressure changes in the circulatory system. The geometric design enables the pump to automatically adjust its flow characteristics in response to physiological changes, providing both protection and adaptability.
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 provides improved pressure sensitivity and flow balancing, reducing the risk of complications and allowing for a wider range of patient activities by dynamically adjusting to physiological changes without excessive power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
causing a magnetic bearing to move the impeller in a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction
Implementation Method 2
the magnetic bearing including at least one coil for controlling an axial position of the impeller within the cavity
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 1D
AI summary
A heart pump including: a housing forming a cavity including: at least one inlet aligned with an axis of the cavity; and, at least one outlet provided in a circumferential outer wall of the cavity; an impeller provided within the cavity, the impeller including vanes for urging fluid from the inlet to the outlet; and, a drive for rotating the impeller in the cavity and wherein a flow path through the pump has a minimal cross-sectional area of at least 50mm2.