Optical Fiber Integration in Blood Pump Housing for Plastic-Free Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blood pumps face issues with insufficient sealing between transmission channels and evaluation units, leading to degradation of plastic seals and reduced long-term stability due to contact with aggressive bodily fluids.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of an optical fiber into the pump housing, embedded within metal pieces, forms a robust and compact design with a plastic-free seal, using biocompatible materials like titanium to ensure durability and prevent fluid diffusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plastic seals are used to seal transmission channels in contact with bodily fluids, then sealing is achieved, but the seals degrade over time due to exposure to aggressive fluids, reducing long-term stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes plastic seals from the system by using a plastic-free transmission channel design. The optical fiber is directly embedded in the pump housing, eliminating the need for separate sealing components that would degrade in contact with bodily fluids.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs biocompatible metal materials (such as titanium or stainless steel) for the pump housing and transmission channels. These metal materials provide both structural integrity and resistance to degradation from exposure to aggressive bodily fluids, replacing plastic components.
2Measurement precision
If an optical fiber sensor is integrated into the pump housing, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to integration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber sensor is integrated directly into the pump housing structure, combining the sensing function with the structural component. This merging approach enables precise blood parameter measurements while avoiding the need for separate, complex sensor mounting systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, houses the pump mechanism, and integrates the optical fiber sensor for blood parameter measurement. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by eliminating separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
A blood pump may be provided for supporting heart function. A method may be provided for producing a pump housing of the blood pump. The provided blood pump comprises an implantable pump housing. The blood pump additionally comprises a fiber optic sensor comprising an optical fiber. The optical fiber is at least partially accommodated in a housing part of the pump housing.