Modular Implantable Pump Docking Unit for Low-Shear Blood Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ventricular assist devices (VADs) require invasive open surgery and suffer from limitations such as high shear stress, thrombosis risk, and durability issues, while transcatheter devices face size constraints and high-speed impeller problems, limiting their effectiveness and safety for long-term use.
Innovation Solution
A modular pump assembly design featuring a docking unit and functional units that can be assembled in vivo, allowing multiple pumping units to operate in parallel, reducing shear stress and power requirements, and enabling minimally invasive implantation and explantation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional VADs are used, then blood pumping function is provided, but invasive open surgery is required and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The VAD is divided into multiple functional units (pump units, control units, power units) that can be assembled in vivo through a catheter. Each unit is independently deliverable and can be connected to form a complete functional system, eliminating the need for open surgery while maintaining blood pumping capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional units are nested within a delivery catheter system during implantation. The units are delivered in a compact, nested configuration through the catheter and then deployed/assembled in vivo, allowing minimally invasive access to the heart while providing full VAD functionality.
2Volume of moving object
If high-speed impellers are used in transcatheter devices, then compact size is achieved, but shear stress increases and thrombosis risk worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The pumping function is segmented into multiple pump units that operate in parallel. Each pump unit uses a lower-speed impeller, reducing shear stress and thrombosis risk compared to a single high-speed impeller, while the combined output of multiple units achieves the required blood flow without requiring high individual speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple pump units are combined to work in parallel, where each unit contributes to the total blood flow. This merging of multiple lower-power, lower-shear-stress units achieves the therapeutic effect without the harmful effects of high-speed operation in a single unit.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple pump units operate in parallel, then shear stress and power requirements are reduced, but device assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The functional units are pre-assembled and pre-configured within the delivery catheter system before patient implantation. The docking mechanisms and connection interfaces are prepared in advance, allowing for straightforward in vivo assembly without complex surgical procedures. The units are delivered in a ready-to-connect state, reducing assembly complexity at the time of implantation.
4Ease of operation
If modular design is used, then in vivo assembly is enabled and minimally invasive implantation is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The docking interfaces of the modular units incorporate specialized local features such as guide pins, alignment keys, and self-centering mechanisms at critical connection points. These localized precision features ensure accurate mating of units during in vivo assembly, while the rest of the device structure can be manufactured with standard tolerances, balancing manufacturability with assembly precision requirements.
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 modular design reduces hemolysis, thrombosis risk, and power consumption, facilitating safer and more reliable long-term use with controlled assembly and reduced vessel damage, suitable for both vascular and non-vascular fluid flow management.
Implementation Method 1
The functional unit is moveable at the implantation site between the undocked configuration and the docked configuration via movement of the control wire of the first functional unit. The functional unit is moveable into the docked configuration from the undocked configuration by pulling the control wire of the first functional unit.
Data Source
AI summary
A docking unit for use in a modular mammalian body implantable device. The docketing unit comprising an elongated body. The body has: a longitudinal axis, at least one receiving surface extending parallel to the longitudinal axis, a distal end and a proximal end, and at least one proximal guide hole. Each receiving surface has at least one proximal guide hole associated therewith. The docking unit is dimensioned and shaped to be deliverable to an implantation site within a conduit of a conduit system of the mammalian body via a catheter.