Piezoelectric Inflow Cannula for Blood Pump Backflow Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable blood pumps face issues with regurgitant flow when power is lost, causing blood to flow back into the pump instead of being circulated into the aorta, which can be life-threatening.
Innovation Solution
An inflow cannula with a flexible inner tube containing a piezoelectric element that constricts or occludes the lumen when power is lost, preventing regurgitant flow by changing shape from hyperboloid to planar, and vice versa when power is restored, ensuring blood flow into the aorta.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the inflow cannula lumen is kept open during normal operation, then blood flow into the aorta is maintained, but regurgitant flow occurs when power is lost causing life-threatening situations
Solution Approach 1:
The inner tube is designed to be flexible and capable of dynamic shape changes between a substantially planar configuration (allowing open flow) and a substantially hyperboloid configuration (constricting flow). This dynamic adaptability allows the cannula to automatically respond to power availability without complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner tube changes its geometric parameters (shape, curvature) in response to power availability. When power is lost, the tube transitions to a hyperboloid shape that constricts the lumen; when power is restored, it returns to a planar shape that allows open flow. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between maintaining flow and preventing regurgitation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the cannula constricts the lumen to prevent regurgitant flow, then patient safety is improved, but blood flow into the aorta may be restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by constricting the lumen in advance when power loss is detected, preventing regurgitant flow before it can occur. The flexible inner tube automatically constricts when power is lost, creating a protective barrier against harmful backflow while maintaining the ability to restore normal flow when power returns.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible inner tube is added to the cannula, then the ability to constrict the lumen is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner tube is constructed from flexible material that can naturally bend and change shape between planar and hyperboloid configurations. This flexible shell approach provides the constriction capability without requiring complex mechanical actuators, motors, or control systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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
Prevents regurgitant flow by actively managing the cannula's constriction based on power availability, ensuring continuous and safe blood circulation even during power outages or failures.
Implementation Method 1
the inner tube includes a piezoelectric element
Data Source
AI summary
An inflow cannula for an implantable blood pump, the inflow cannula defining an inlet at a proximal end, an opposite distal end, and a lumen therebetween, the inflow cannula being configured to constrict the lumen.