Modular Impeller Assembly for Catheter-Delivered Blood Flow Support
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current ventricular assist devices (VADs) require invasive open surgery and are limited by the size of the device due to peripheral vascular access, leading to high impeller rotation speeds that cause shear stress on blood, thrombosis, and other complications, while expandable impeller pumps face issues with mechanical joints, material flexibility, and hydraulic efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A modular impeller design with interchangeable modules that can be assembled in vivo via a catheter, allowing for a larger operating diameter without the need for conventional expansion, reducing shear stress and improving hydraulic efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a larger impeller is used to reduce rotational speed and shear stress, then the device cannot be delivered through peripheral vascular access
Solution Approach 1:
The impeller is divided into multiple separate modules (first impeller module, second impeller module, third impeller module) that can be delivered through the catheter independently and then assembled together in vivo to form a larger diameter impeller, resolving the contradiction between delivering a large impeller through small vascular access and reducing shear stress through lower rotational speeds
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple impeller modules are nested within the catheter during delivery, with each module contained within the catheter lumen. Upon deployment, the modules are extracted and assembled to form the complete large-diameter impeller, enabling minimally invasive delivery of a large impeller that would otherwise not fit through peripheral vascular access
2Length of moving object
If conventional expandable impeller pumps are used to increase diameter, then mechanical joints and material flexibility issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single expandable impeller with mechanical joints, the invention segments the impeller into multiple rigid modules that are assembled together. This eliminates the need for mechanical expansion joints and flexible materials, improving reliability while achieving the desired large operating diameter through modular construction
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical expansion system (with its joints and flexible materials) with a modular assembly system. The impeller modules are connected through magnetic coupling and mechanical interlocking mechanisms that provide rigid, reliable connections without requiring material flexibility or complex joint mechanisms
3Ease of operation
If open surgery is used for VAD implantation, then the procedure is highly invasive with long recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a catheter as an intermediary delivery system to transport the modular impeller components through the peripheral vascular system to the implantation site. This intermediary approach enables minimally invasive delivery while maintaining the capability to assemble and implant a high-performance device that would otherwise require open surgery
Solution Approach 2:
The impeller modules are pre-assembled within the catheter in a compact configuration before delivery. Upon reaching the implantation site, the modules are extracted and assembled into the final large-diameter configuration. This preliminary preparation enables minimally invasive delivery while ensuring the device achieves its full performance potential at the implantation site
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
Enables minimally invasive implantation of a larger impeller without vascular damage, reducing complications and improving blood flow support with lower rotational speeds.
Implementation Method 1
Each impeller vane module has a control wire attached thereto and that control wire is manipulable to move that impeller vane module from its unassembled configuration into its assembled configuration
Implementation Method 2
The impeller is operable within at least one of the conduits of the conduit system of the mammalian body
Data Source
AI summary
Mammalian body implantable fluid flow influencing device, comprising a modular impeller having: An impeller hub module dimensioned and shaped to be deliverable to a delivery site within a conduit of a conduit system of the mammalian body via a catheter. An impeller vane module having at least a portion of an impeller vane; having, with respect to the impeller hub module, an assembled configuration in which the impeller vane module mates with the impeller hub module, and an unassembled configuration, in which the impeller vane module is unmated with the impeller hub module and being dimensioned and shaped to be deliverable to the delivery site via the catheter when in the unassembled configuration. The modular impeller being formed when the impeller vane module is retained in its assembled configuration, and dimensioned and shaped to be operable within at least one conduit of the conduit system. Method of implantation disclosed.