Blood Pump Impeller for Renal Perfusion and Pressure Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cardiac dysfunction and kidney dysfunction often form a vicious cycle, leading to congestive heart failure and kidney complications due to increased renal venous pressure, which affects renal blood flow and fluid retention.
Innovation Solution
A blood pump with an impeller is placed inside the renal vein to pump blood downstream, reducing pressure and enhancing renal perfusion, using a cage to protect the vein and optionally an occlusion element to prevent backflow, with a sleeve in the vena cava to prevent blood reflux.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If an impeller is placed inside the renal vein to pump blood downstream, then renal vein pressure is reduced and renal perfusion is improved, but the impeller may cause mechanical injury to the vein wall
Solution Approach 1:
A cage structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the impeller and the renal vein wall. The cage allows the impeller to rotate freely while preventing direct contact with the vein wall, thus eliminating mechanical injury risk while maintaining the blood pumping function and pressure reduction effect
Solution Approach 2:
The device is segmented into distinct functional components: the impeller for blood pumping, the cage for protection and structural support, and the delivery system for implantation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while minimizing adverse effects on the vein
2Productivity
If the impeller rotates at high speed to effectively pump blood, then renal perfusion is enhanced, but the risk of blood cell damage and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The impeller is designed to be driven directly by blood flow itself without requiring an external motor or power source. The kinetic energy of the incoming blood stream rotates the impeller, which then pumps blood downstream. This self-service mechanism simplifies the device structure while maintaining effective pumping capability
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes hydraulic principles where the blood flow itself provides the driving force for the impeller through hydrodynamic action. The cage structure creates a controlled hydraulic environment that directs blood flow through the impeller blades, converting kinetic energy to pumping action without mechanical motors
3Device complexity
If no occlusion element is used, then the device structure is simpler, but blood backflow into the renal vein cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The occlusion element is designed as a dynamic component that responds to blood flow direction and pressure gradients. It automatically opens to allow forward flow and closes to prevent backflow, eliminating the need for complex mechanical actuators or power sources while ensuring reliable one-way blood flow
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 impeller-based pump effectively reduces renal vein pressure, improving renal perfusion and maintaining lower vein pressure, thereby alleviating cardiac and kidney dysfunction symptoms.
Implementation Method 1
an impeller configured, in a radially-expanded configuration thereof, to pump blood through the blood vessel by rotating
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods are described including an impeller for use in a blood pump. An impeller frame includes proximal and distal end portions and at least one helical elongate element that winds from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion. A material is coupled to the helical elongate element, such that the helical elongate element with the material coupled thereto defines a blade of the impeller. A mediator is coupled to the helical elongate element. The helical elongate element has a first stiffness, the material has a lower stiffness than the first stiffness, and the mediator is configured to enhance bonding between the helical elongate element and the material. Other applications are also described.