Offset-Motor Catheter Pump for High Flow With Lower Hemolysis

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mechanical circulatory support devices for treating acute heart failure are either too large for percutaneous insertion or provide insufficient flow rates, and there is a need for a pump that can be inserted minimally-invasively, provide elevated flow rates, and reduce the risk of hemolysis and thrombosis.

Innovation Solution

A catheter pump assembly with a motor-driven impeller system that allows for percutaneous insertion, featuring a flexible shaft, impeller, and a drive system with a motor positioned laterally to minimize vibrations and facilitate lubrication, enabling high flow rates with reduced rotational speeds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If fixed cross-section ventricular assist devices are designed to provide near full heart flow rate, then flow rate is improved, but the device becomes too large to be advanced percutaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow rateVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into multiple components that can be collapsed into a compact configuration for percutaneous delivery and then expanded at the target site. The pump housing, impeller, and other components are designed to segment and reconfigure from a compressed delivery state to a functional expanded state, enabling small delivery profile but large operational volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pump components are nested within each other during the delivery phase, with the impeller housed inside the pump housing, which itself is contained within the delivery catheter. This nested configuration minimizes the overall device volume during percutaneous advancement while allowing full expansion at the implantation site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Productivity

If the flow rate of a rotary pump is increased by rotating the impeller faster, then flow rate is improved, but the risk of hemolysis increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow rateVSAvoidhemolysis risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pump operates at optimized rotational speeds and flow rates that balance performance with blood compatibility. The impeller design parameters including blade angle, curvature, and spacing are specifically configured to minimize shear stress on red blood cells while maintaining adequate flow rates, avoiding the hemolysis associated with higher speeds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The impeller blades are designed with varying local properties including different thicknesses, curvatures, and angles along their length to optimize blood flow patterns and minimize areas of high shear stress. The blood-contacting surfaces have specific finish qualities that reduce turbulence and hemolysis risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If a motor is positioned at the proximal end of the drive shaft, then ease of operation is improved, but vibrations increase and lubrication becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotor positioningVSAvoidvibration and lubrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The motor is extracted from the proximal end of the drive shaft and repositioned to the distal end, separating the motor from the vibration-sensitive and lubrication-dependent components. This extraction eliminates the source of vibrations from the rotational interface and allows independent optimization of the motor positioning without compromising bearing performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 catheter pump achieves high flow rates up to 10 Lpm with reduced risk of hemolysis and thrombosis, suitable for emergency medical use and minimally-invasive procedures.

Implementation Method 1

The tension member is coupled with the motor and with the driven component to cause the driven component to rotate when the motor rotates and thereby to cause the elongate flexible shaft and the impeller to rotate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical transmission through tension member: Gear

Implementation Method 2

The catheter pump assembly includes an impeller that can be rotated by the motor to pump blood or other fluid from a patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpeller pumping action: Impeller

Data Source

PatentUS12478774B2Catheter pump with off-set motor position

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 TC1 LLC

AI summary

A catheter pump assembly is provided that includes an elongate body, an elongate flexible shaft disposed in the elongate body, and an impeller coupled with the distal end of the elongate flexible shaft. The drive system includes a drive component, a motor and a tension member. The tension member is coupled with the motor and the drive component and to cause the drive component to rotate, and thereby to cause the impeller to rotate.