Magnetic Ventricular Support System for Wear Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ventricular circulatory support systems, such as artificial hearts, face issues with mechanical wear and friction, leading to short service life and potential life-threatening failures, as well as the need for anticoagulation to prevent blood clots due to direct blood contact with mechanical components.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses a magnetic field to move magnetized body fluids within vessels, eliminating the need for mechanical components and direct blood contact, thereby reducing wear and the risk of blood clots, and allowing for controlled continuous or pulsed flow to simulate natural heart function.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical pumps are used for ventricular circulatory support, then pumping function is provided, but mechanical wear and friction occur leading to short service life and potential failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional reliabilityVSAvoidservice life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical pump system with a magnetic field-based system. Magnetically magnetizable particles are introduced into the blood, and a magnetic field is applied through a device positioned against the vessel wall to propel the particles and thereby the blood flow, eliminating mechanical contact and wear

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces magnetically magnetizable particles as an intermediary medium. These particles interact with the magnetic field to generate force, which is then transferred to the blood through fluid dynamic coupling, serving as a mediator between the magnetic field and the blood flow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If mechanical components are used for ventricular circulatory support, then pumping function is provided, but direct blood contact with artificial surfaces requires strict anticoagulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational safetyVSAvoidblood clots

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates mechanical components that directly contact blood by using a magnetic field-based propulsion system. The device is positioned externally against the vessel wall, and the magnetic field acts on magnetizable particles in the blood without mechanical contact, thereby eliminating the need for anticoagulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the magnetic field generation function from the blood contact interface. The magnetic field device is positioned externally against the vessel wall, separating the blood-contacting function (propulsion of magnetizable particles) from the power source and control system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If mechanical pumps are used for ventricular circulatory support, then continuous blood flow is achieved, but mechanical wear and friction limit lifespan

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous blood flowVSAvoidlifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical pump with a magnetic field-based system that propels blood flow by acting on magnetizable particles. This eliminates mechanical wear and friction while maintaining continuous blood flow capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous blood flow by continuously applying the magnetic field to propel magnetizable particles through the vessel. The system maintains uninterrupted propulsion action, ensuring continuous circulatory support without mechanical wear

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 approach increases operational safety and service life by minimizing mechanical wear and eliminating the need for anticoagulation, ensuring uniform blood supply and simulating natural heart function without mechanical failures.

Implementation Method 1

a device for applying a magnetic field to a magnetized body fluid, in particular blood, within a region of a vessel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

a control device configured to control the device for applying a magnetic field such that a magnetically induced force acts on the magnetized body fluid in the longitudinal direction of the vessel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetically induced force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentEP3274011B1System providing ventricular circulatory support

Publication Date: 2019.10.02 ENSMINGER STEPHAN

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a system for ventricular circulatory support, comprising a device (2) for applying a magnetic field to a magnetised body fluid (1), particularly blood, in a region of a vessel (3), particularly a blood vessel. The system also comprises a control device designed to actuate said device (2) for applying a magnetic field such that, in the region of the vessel (3), a magnetically-induced force acts on the magnetised body fluid (1) in the longitudinal direction of said vessel (3).