Phase-Changing Blood Pump Impeller for Hemolysis Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantable blood pumps with static rotor blades face challenges in minimizing hemolysis and thrombus formation, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential damage to blood components during pumping.
Innovation Solution
An implantable blood pump impeller with blades made of a metal alloy that phase changes from solid to liquid between normal body temperature and 40°C, using a heating or cooling element controlled by a controller, allowing the flexible material blades to extend and change shape, reducing hemolysis and thrombus formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If static rotor blades are used in implantable blood pumps, then the device structure is simple and reliable, but hemolysis and thrombus formation occur due to inefficient blood flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the impeller blades changeable rather than static. The blades can dynamically alter their shape, position, or configuration in response to operating conditions such as flow rate or pressure differential, enabling optimized blood flow patterns that reduce hemolysis and thrombus formation while managing the increased structural complexity through controlled adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying physical parameters of the impeller system, such as blade geometry, angle of attack, or rotational speed, based on real-time operating conditions. This allows the blood pump to adapt its performance characteristics to minimize harmful effects on blood components while maintaining efficient pumping across varying physiological demands.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the impeller blades are made flexible to reduce hemolysis, then blood flow efficiency improves, but the structural strength and stability of the impeller decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining flexible blade elements with stronger supporting structures or using composite material constructions that provide both flexibility for blood flow optimization and sufficient structural strength for mechanical integrity. This allows the impeller to achieve the dual goals of reducing hemolysis through blade flexibility while maintaining the strength necessary for reliable operation in the implantable environment.
3Productivity
If a single blade profile is used throughout the rotation, then manufacturing is simple, but blood flow efficiency varies during different phases of rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the impeller blade into multiple segments or sections that can move or change independently relative to each other. This allows different portions of the blade to have optimized profiles for different rotational phases or flow conditions, improving overall blood flow efficiency while keeping the manufacturing of individual segments simpler than creating a completely variable geometry blade.
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 phase-changing metal alloy impeller design reduces hemolysis and thrombus formation by dynamically altering blade shape and profile, enhancing blood flow efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
at least a portion of the impeller being composed of a metal alloy that is a solid at normal body temperature and is configured to phase change to a liquid between a predetermined temperature above normal body temperature and about 40 degrees Celsius
Implementation Method 2
a heating element is coupled to the impeller, wherein the heating element is configured to heat the metal alloy above normal body temperature
Implementation Method 3
a cooling element is coupled to the impeller, wherein the cooling element is configured to cool the metal alloy from temperatures above normal body temperature to normal body temperature
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable blood pump including an impeller, at least a portion of the impeller being composed of a metal alloy that is a solid at normal body temperature and is configured to phase change to a liquid between a predetermined temperature above normal body temperature and about 40 degrees Celsius.