Helical Catheter Stabilizes Intravascular Blood Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intravascular blood pump systems face challenges in guiding, positioning, stabilizing, and operating effectively within the vascular system due to the complexities of blood vessel anatomy, including bends and convolutions, which can lead to instability and increased flow resistance.
Innovation Solution
An intravascular blood pump system featuring a catheter with a pre-formed helical shape and radiopaque markers for stabilization and positioning, along with a pump device that includes a motor housing with a tapered portion and vanes to minimize suction and thrombus formation, facilitating secure placement and efficient blood flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a straight catheter is used for intravascular pump delivery, then the pump can be inserted into the blood vessel, but the catheter experiences increased flow resistance and instability due to blood vessel bends and convolutions
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter is designed with a pre-formed helical shape that matches the natural curvature of blood vessels. This curved configuration allows the catheter to navigate blood vessel bends and convolutions more effectively, reducing flow resistance and improving stability of the pump device within the vessel.
2Ease of operation
If the catheter is made flexible for easy insertion, then the pump can be delivered percutaneously, but the catheter lacks sufficient stabilization capability in the blood vessel
Solution Approach 1:
The helical shape provides inherent stabilization through its geometric configuration. The curved form engages with the vessel walls and resists displacement, while the catheter material remains flexible enough to allow percutaneous delivery and navigation through the vascular system.
Data Source
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AI summary
An intravascular system (10, 160) for pumping blood from a chamber of a heart and through an associated blood vessel coupled in fluid communication therewith. The system (10, 160) includes a pump device (12, 162) configured to be inserted into a blood vessel. The system further includes a catheter (14, 166) having a proximal end coupled to the pump device (12, 162) and a distal end configured to collect blood within or exiting from the chamber. The catheter (14, 166) further includes a pre-formed shape corresponding to the vessel to at least assist with stabilization and positioning of the pump device (12, 162) in the vessel.