Peristalsis Heart Assist Pump with Inflatable Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cardiac assist devices either damage blood cells due to high-speed impellers or lack bidirectional flow capabilities, necessitating a solution that minimizes cell damage while providing effective bidirectional pumping.
Innovation Solution
A peristalsis heart assist pump system utilizing inflatable elements within a stent, actuated by a dual coil linear motor, which inflates and deflates to pump blood bidirectionally, minimizing cell damage and ensuring efficient fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a high-speed rotary impeller is used to pump blood, then pumping efficiency is improved, but blood cells are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional high-speed rotary impeller mechanical system with a peristalsis-based pumping mechanism. Inflatable elements are sequentially inflated and deflated to create a peristaltic wave that propels blood forward, eliminating direct mechanical contact between moving parts and blood, thus preventing blood cell damage while maintaining pumping efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic actuation through inflatable elements that are sequentially inflated and deflated to create the peristaltic pumping action. This pneumatic system replaces direct mechanical contact with fluid-based actuation, allowing efficient blood pumping without mechanical shear forces that damage blood cells
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a linearly reciprocating pump with a single diaphragm is used, then blood cell damage is reduced, but bidirectional flow capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single diaphragm into multiple inflatable elements arranged in series. Each inflatable element can be independently actuated, allowing the system to create peristaltic waves that can propel blood in either direction. This segmentation enables bidirectional flow capability while maintaining the gentle pumping action that protects blood cells
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of multiple inflatable elements where the inflation and deflation sequence can be reversed to change flow direction. By dynamically adjusting which elements inflate and in what sequence, the system achieves bidirectional flow capability without compromising the gentle peristaltic action that minimizes blood cell damage
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 system effectively pumps blood bidirectionally with minimal damage to blood cells, achieving a high cycle count and compatibility with medical fluids, ensuring reliable operation within the cardiovascular system.
Implementation Method 1
actuated by a dual coil linear motor, which inflates and deflates to pump blood bidirectionally
Implementation Method 2
A peristalsis heart assist pump system utilizing inflatable elements within a stent, actuated by a dual coil linear motor, which inflates and deflates to pump blood bidirectionally
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a novel system for pumping liquid such as blood without damaging cells. In some embodiments, the system includes one or more inflatable elements such as balloons which force liquid from a heart assist pump. In some embodiments, one or more pumping elements are configured to directionally inflate. In some embodiments, the heart assist pump includes a reduced cross-section between two pumping elements. In some embodiments, the reduced cross-section is configured to enable the heart assist pump to be seated in the heart using the aortic valve. In some embodiments, the reduced cross-section gives the heart assist pump and hourglass shape, which allows a greater volume of fluid to be pumped through the aortic valve. In some embodiments, a controller independently controls fluid pumping elements on either side of the reduced cross-section.