Magnetic Coupling Torque Transfer in Circulatory Assist Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current circulatory assist devices face challenges in efficiently transferring torque across seals without mechanical contact, leading to friction, wear, and the need for lubrication, which can reduce their longevity and effectiveness in providing reliable blood circulation support.
Innovation Solution
The use of magnetic couplings that allow for non-contact transfer of rotational motion between shafts, eliminating the need for direct physical contact and lubrication, and enabling the circulatory assist device to operate effectively within a sealed compartment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical contact is used to transfer torque across seals, then torque transfer is achieved, but friction and wear occur reducing device longevity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based torque transfer system with a magnetic coupling system. The magnetic coupling allows torque to be transferred from the driveshaft to the impeller shaft through magnetic field interaction without any physical contact between the shafts, thereby eliminating friction and wear that would otherwise occur at the seal interface and extending device longevity.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupling acts as an intermediary between the driveshaft and impeller shaft. Instead of direct mechanical contact, the magnetic field serves as the mediating force that transfers rotational motion and torque across the seal, allowing the shafts to remain separated while still achieving effective power transmission.
2Reliability
If mechanical contact and lubrication are used, then torque transfer is achieved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for lubrication systems by replacing mechanical contact with magnetic coupling. Since there is no physical contact between the driveshaft and impeller shaft, no lubrication is required, thereby simplifying the device structure and reducing maintenance requirements while maintaining reliable torque transfer.
3Reliability
If sealed compartment is used to prevent contact with bodily fluids, then reliability is improved, but torque transfer across seal becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses magnetic coupling to transfer torque across the sealed compartment boundary. The magnetic field can penetrate the seal material, allowing torque to be transmitted from the driveshaft on one side of the seal to the impeller shaft on the other side without requiring mechanical contact or complex sealing mechanisms, thereby maintaining both protection and functionality.
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 reduces friction and wear, increases the longevity of the circulatory assist device, and allows for efficient blood circulation support by maintaining a hermetically sealed environment, preventing contact with bodily fluids.
Implementation Method 1
The coupling is configured to magnetically couple the driveshaft to the impeller shaft and to transfer torque from the motor to the impeller across the seal
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling for a circulatory assist device includes a first coupler and a second coupler. The first coupler including a first inner portion configured to be secured to a first shaft, a first body extending from the inner portion, and first magnets joined to the body. The second coupler offset from and separate from the first coupler with a gap therebetween. The second coupler including a second inner portion configured to be secured to a second shaft, a second body extending from the second inner portion, and second magnets joined to the body. The second magnets magnetically coupled to the first magnets and configured to transfer a torque applied to one of the first shaft and the second shaft to an other of the first shaft and the second shaft.