Percutaneous Right Ventricular Assist Device with Centrifugal Pump

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for right heart failure are limited, with few effective long-term solutions that do not require heavy surgery and are free from significant risks of hemorrhage and infection.

Innovation Solution

An implantable right ventricular assist device (RVAD) that is percutaneously implanted within the right ventricle, utilizing a crimpable centrifugal pump powered by a motor, which minimizes energy consumption and avoids high shear stress, thereby reducing thrombotic and hemolytic risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If temporary VAD linked to external power cables are used, then efficient hemodynamic recovery is achieved, but patient mobility is restricted and hemorrhagic/thrombotic risks increase (40-50%)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehemodynamic recovery efficiencyVSAvoidhemorrhagic and thrombotic risks
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate functional modules: a percutaneous pump unit for blood circulation, an implanted battery for power supply, and an external controller. This segmentation allows the pump to be minimally invasive while the battery provides sustained power, eliminating the need for external cables that cause hemorrhagic and thrombotic complications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An implanted rechargeable battery serves as an intermediary energy storage device between the external controller and the percutaneous pump. This intermediary allows wireless power transmission and eliminates direct external cable connections to the pump, reducing infection and thrombosis risks while maintaining hemodynamic efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If BiVAD with heavy surgery is performed, then both ventricles are assisted, but survival rate at six months is low (56%) and peri-operative adverse event rates are high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebiventricular assistance capabilityVSAvoidsix-month survival rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention provides a modular solution where only the right ventricle is assisted with a percutaneous pump, while the left ventricle can be addressed separately if needed. This partial action approach avoids the excessive surgical intervention of BiVAD while still providing necessary hemodynamic support for right heart failure, thereby improving survival rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses a rechargeable battery with adjustable power output (1-10 Watts) and variable pump speed control to match the specific hemodynamic needs of the patient. This parameter adjustability allows effective right ventricular assistance without requiring the fixed, high-intensity support of BiVAD systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If high power motor is used to pump blood, then adequate flow rate is achieved, but energy consumption increases and shear stress causes thrombosis and hemolysis

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood flow rateVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pump system features dynamic speed control capability, allowing the motor to operate at variable speeds (5000-15000 rpm) based on real-time hemodynamic requirements. This dynamic operation enables the pump to achieve adequate flow rates only when necessary, minimizing overall energy consumption while preventing excessive shear stress that would cause thrombosis or hemolysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates feedback control mechanisms where the pump speed and power delivery are adjusted based on monitored hemodynamic parameters. This feedback system ensures adequate blood flow is maintained while preventing energy waste and excessive shear stress by reducing pump speed when flow requirements are met.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Reliability

If invasive surgical implantation is performed, then device is securely positioned, but surgery complexity and recovery time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice positioning stabilityVSAvoidsurgical procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device replaces complex mechanical surgical implantation with a percutaneous delivery system. The pump is inserted through a catheter-like access route and positioned using minimally invasive techniques, eliminating the need for open chest surgery while maintaining secure positioning through balloon expansion and anchoring mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 RVAD effectively assists the right ventricle in pumping blood to the pulmonary artery with minimal energy and distance, reducing the risk of complications such as thrombosis and hemolysis, and providing a durable, less invasive solution for right heart failure.

Implementation Method 1

a rotatable propeller displaying a diameter ranging from 5 mm to 15 mm, configured to carry the blood coming from the right ventricle, through said inlet opening, toward the pulmonary artery, through said outlet channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP4100105B1Implantable device for long-term assist of the right ventricle of a heart
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 BRIGHTFLOW
  • EP4100105B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4100105B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3B
  • EP4100105B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~5C

AI summary

The present invention relates to an implantable right ventricular assist device configured to be implanted within the right ventricle of a heart, comprising a percutaneously deliverable centrifugal pump (2) configured to carry the blood from the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery; an exit cylinder (3) configured to secure directly or indirectly said centrifugal pump within a portion of the pulmonary artery; and a power source (4). The invention also relates to a method to percutaneously and transluminally implant the Right Ventricular Assist Device (1) of the present invention within the right ventricle of a patient's heart. The invention further relates to the use of the right ventricular assist device of the present invention to long-term assist of the right ventricle of a patient's heart.