Mixed Flow Blood Pump Hub with Downstream Blades
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ventricular assist devices (VADs) face challenges in providing efficient and reliable blood circulation, particularly in patients with heart failure, as they often require external power sources and may not effectively mimic the natural heart's pumping mechanism, leading to inefficiencies and potential complications.
Innovation Solution
A blood pump design featuring a cylindrical hub with magnetic material and blades extending downstream, providing mixed axial and centrifugal flow, which is powered by an implantable motor stator and controlled by a percutaneous lead, allowing for both axial and radial fluid flow components and reducing the need for an aft stator, thus enhancing efficiency and reducing shear regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an aft stator is included in the flow path, then the pump can provide axial flow component, but the device complexity increases and shear regions are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of axial flow generation and radial flow generation into a single rotor assembly with blades positioned at the downstream end region. This eliminates the need for a separate aft stator while maintaining the ability to provide both axial and radial flow components through the mixed flow configuration of the blades
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor blades are designed to perform multiple functions: they generate radial centrifugal flow through their rotation and simultaneously provide axial flow component through their geometric configuration and positioning. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require separate axial and radial flow generating components
2Productivity
If blades extend downstream of the hub, then mixed axial and centrifugal flow is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blades are positioned specifically at the downstream end region of the hub rather than being distributed along the entire hub length. This localized positioning creates the desired mixed flow pattern in the critical downstream region where flow direction control is most needed, while keeping the upstream and central regions simpler
3Reliability
If the pump provides mixed flow, then thrombosis risk is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blades are configured with curved surfaces that guide blood flow smoothly through the pump. The curvature of the blades creates a more natural flow pattern that reduces turbulence and stagnation zones, thereby reducing thrombosis risk while the curved geometry can be manufactured using standard precision techniques
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 blood pump effectively supplements or replaces the natural heart's function by providing a mix of axial and centrifugal flow, improving blood circulation efficiency, reducing the risk of thrombosis, and minimizing power source requirements, thereby enhancing patient outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
The hub includes a magnetic material
Implementation Method 2
each blade includes (i) an upstream portion that is located proximate the hub and is configured to add energy to the fluid having forward flow along the axis of the hub, and (ii) a downstream portion that is configured to add energy to the fluid having forward flow in a direction radially outward from the hub
Data Source
AI summary
A blood pump includes a hub having an axis of rotation and a generally cylindrical shape. The hub has an upstream end region, a central region, and a downstream end region, and the hub includes a magnetic material. Blades that are disposed on the downstream end region of the hub extend downstream of the hub.