Magnet-Encapsulated Impeller for Compact Aortic Valve Support
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable vascular support systems, particularly those in aortic valve position, face challenges of low efficiency and limited installation space, necessitating a design that is both compact and long-term stable.
Innovation Solution
An impeller for an implantable vascular support system is designed with a multipart structure, featuring a first longitudinal portion for fluid conveyance and a second longitudinal portion for torque transmission, incorporating a magnet encapsulated within the latter to facilitate contactless torque transmission, allowing for a compact design suitable for aortic valve position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a compact impeller design is used for aortic valve position implantation, then installation space is optimized, but torque transmission reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The impeller is divided into two distinct longitudinal portions: a first portion with blades for fluid conveyance and a second portion with magnets for torque transmission. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall compactness, resolving the contradiction between small volume and reliable torque transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
A magnetic coupling system acts as an intermediary between the drive motor and the impeller, enabling contactless torque transmission through the impeller body. This intermediary mechanism allows reliable torque transmission without direct mechanical contact, maintaining reliability while preserving the compact design required for aortic valve implantation.
2Power
If magnets are exposed for torque transmission, then torque transmission efficiency is improved, but biocompatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The magnets are nested within the second longitudinal portion of the impeller body, which acts as a protective housing. This nested structure allows the magnets to perform their torque transmission function while being completely enclosed by a biocompatible material, eliminating direct contact with blood and resolving the contradiction between torque efficiency and biocompatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The second longitudinal portion of the impeller body serves as a thin-walled encapsulating shell that contains the magnets. This shell is made of biocompatible material that allows magnetic field penetration for torque transmission while providing a protective barrier against blood contact, thus maintaining both torque efficiency and biocompatibility.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single-piece impeller structure is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but functional optimization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The impeller is segmented into a first longitudinal portion for fluid conveyance and a second longitudinal portion for torque transmission. This segmentation allows each portion to be independently optimized for its specific function (blade geometry for fluid flow, magnet arrangement for torque), improving overall productivity while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the impeller are given different local qualities: the first longitudinal portion has blade structures optimized for fluid conveyance, while the second longitudinal portion has magnet structures optimized for torque transmission. This local differentiation maximizes functional performance in each region while the overall simple two-part structure remains manufacturable.
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 achieves high efficiency and long-term stability by optimizing the impeller's design for minimal installation space, ensuring biocompatibility and effective torque transmission without direct contact with blood.
Implementation Method 1
at least one magnet, which is disposed and encapsulated in the second longitudinal portion
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an impeller (1) for an implantable, vascular support system (2), at least comprising: —an impeller body (3) having a first longitudinal portion (4) and a second longitudinal portion (5); —at least one blade (6) formed in the first longitudinal portion (4) and designed to axially convey a fluid by means of a rotational movement; —at least one magnet (7) provided and encapsulated in the second longitudinal portion (5).