Heart Pump Controller Using Magnetic Bearing Axial Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bi-ventricular assist devices (BiVAD) require two separate devices with distinct controllers, leading to outflow control issues and increased size and cost, as well as reliance on pressure sensors and flow meters that can cause blood damage and have limited reliability.
Innovation Solution
A controller system that uses a processing system to determine and control the axial position of an impeller within a heart pump cavity, utilizing magnetic bearings to adjust fluid flow based on power usage and pressure changes, allowing for independent control of left and right ventricular assistance without the need for additional sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two separate rotary pumps are used for bi-ventricular assistance, then left and right ventricular support can be provided, but outflow control issues arise and device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate rotary pumps into a single integrated device with a dual-sided impeller that can provide both left and right ventricular assistance. The single controller manages both pumping functions, eliminating the need for two separate devices and controllers while maintaining independent outflow control through the magnetic bearing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The single rotary pump device is designed with a dual-sided impeller that performs multiple functions - providing ventricular assistance for both left and right sides of the heart. The magnetic bearing system enables independent control of each side's outflow, making the single device universal for bi-ventricular support.
2Measurement precision
If pressure sensors and flow meters are added to control outflow, then outflow balance can be monitored, but blood damage increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical pressure sensors and flow meters with a magnetic bearing system that uses electromagnetic fields to detect and control impeller position and outflow. This substitution eliminates mechanical components that contact blood, reducing blood damage while maintaining measurement precision through non-contact magnetic sensing.
3Reliability
If active control with feedback signals is used to maintain impeller position, then outflow balance can be maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic bearing system is designed to automatically maintain impeller position and outflow balance through passive magnetic forces and inherent system stability. The system self-regulates without requiring continuous active feedback control signals, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable outflow balance.
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
This solution enables efficient and reliable control of fluid flow between the left and right ventricles, reducing the risk of blood damage and device failure, while minimizing power consumption and maintaining long-term durability.
Implementation Method 1
an axial magnetic bearing with a permanent magnetic coupling motor
Implementation Method 2
The rotor assembly is movable along the axis relative to the housing to adjust hydraulic performance characteristics of the pump
Implementation Method 3
Both the Ventrassist (Ventracor, Sydney, NSW, AU) and the HVAD (Heartware, Sydney, NSW, AU) incorporate an impeller that is completely or partially suspended with hydrodynamic forces
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A controller for a heart pump, the controller including a processing system for determining movement of an impeller within a cavity in a first axial direction, the cavity including at least one inlet and at least one outlet, and the impeller including vanes for urging fluid from the inlet to the outlet, causing a magnetic bearing to move the impeller in a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction, the magnetic bearing including at least one coil for controlling an axial position of the impeller within the cavity, determining an indicator indicative of the power used by the magnetic bearing and causing the magnetic bearing to control the axial position of the impeller in accordance with the indicator to thereby control a fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet.