Modular Fluid Pump with Magnetic Drive and Cartridge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Roller pumps used in extracorporeal life support systems lack inherent means to prevent venous reservoir draining and require skilled operators for optimal operation, leading to potential patient safety risks and limited tubing lifespan due to repeated stress.

Innovation Solution

A modular fluid pump system with a removable housing cartridge, direct drive brushless DC motor, and non-contact magnetic drive coupling, which includes interchangeable rollers and fluid conduit, ensuring safe pressure levels and adaptive reservoir functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If roller pumps are used to pump blood in extracorporeal life support systems, then fluid pumping function is achieved, but venous reservoir draining cannot be prevented and tubing lifespan is limited due to repeated stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient safetyVSAvoidvenous reservoir draining and tubing stress
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pump controller continuously monitors pump operation parameters and venous reservoir levels, automatically adjusting pump settings to prevent reservoir draining and detecting tubing conditions to extend tubing lifespan through optimized stress management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The pump system automatically monitors and regulates its own operation, detecting tubing wear and adjusting compression forces to minimize stress on the tubing, thereby extending its operational life without requiring external intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If roller pumps operate without skilled operators, then ease of operation is improved, but harmful effects to patient increase due to improper settings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator skill requirementVSAvoidpatient harm from improper settings
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The controller provides real-time monitoring and automatic adjustment of occlusion settings and tubing tension, alerting operators to improper conditions and correcting settings automatically to prevent patient harm while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-configures safe operating parameters and automatically prevents settings that could cause patient harm, such as excessive compression forces or improper tubing tension, before harmful effects can occur

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Productivity

If tubing is wrapped around rollers with high tension to prevent slipping, then pumping efficiency is improved, but tubing lifespan decreases due to repeated stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepumping efficiencyVSAvoidtubing lifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts tubing tension and roller compression forces based on real-time operating conditions, maintaining optimal pumping efficiency while minimizing stress on the tubing to extend its lifespan

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The controller varies compression force and tubing tension parameters during operation based on detected conditions, optimizing the balance between pumping efficiency and tubing stress management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enhances reliability, reduces user error, extends tubing life, and maintains safe fluid pressure, preventing cavitation and hemolysis, while being adaptable to various cardiac life support applications.

Implementation Method 1

A fluid pump is disclosed which includes a pump motor which generates a rotating magnetic field that induces current in a conductive rotor, causing the rotor to rotate. The rotor is directly coupled to a frame

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The magnetic coupling is provided by thin exterior permanent magnets circumferentially distributed around the rotor on a coupling part connected to the external drive motor and correspondingly thin circumferentially distributed permanently magnetized ferromagnetic regions of the pump rotor which are coupled with the permanent magnets to form a magnetic field bridge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic coupling: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP2396549B1Modular fluid pump with cartridge
Publication Date: 2019.10.23 MC3
  • EP2396549B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP2396549B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~3
  • EP2396549B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~5B

AI summary

A modular fluid pump including: a pump motor that provides a motor force, a sealed housing cartridge removably coupled to the pump motor, wherein the housing cartridge is interchangeable with a replacement housing cartridge, a frame enclosed in the housing cartridge and having a plurality of rollers arranged on the frame, a drive coupling means for transmitting the motor force from the pump motor to the frame thereby inducing rotation of the frame, and a fluid conduit, wrapped under tension around at least one of the plurality of rollers, that facilitates fluid flow from an inlet region of the fluid conduit to an outlet region of the fluid conduit. Rotation of the frame causes the plurality of rollers to compress the fluid conduit at subsequent intervals, thereby driving fluid to the outlet region with a peristaltic movement.