Artificial Circulatory Pump Membrane for Hemolysis-Safe Pulsatile Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cardiopulmonary bypass systems using linear flow pumps cause blood trauma, hemolysis, and complications due to the absence of pulsatile flow, leading to inadequate blood pressure regulation and increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with refractory arterial hypertension.
Innovation Solution
Development of a membrane for artificial circulatory assistance chambers that provides pulsatile flow by varying internal volume without distension or contraction, made from impermeable, flexible non-elastic material to prevent stagnation points and ensure continuous blood flow, simulating physiological cardiac flow and reducing peripheral resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If linear flow pumps are used in cardiopulmonary bypass systems, then continuous blood flow is achieved, but blood trauma and hemolysis occur due to absence of pulsatile flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by introducing a pulsatile flow mechanism that alternates between filling and emptying phases. The chamber periodically changes its internal volume to create pulse waves in the blood flow, simulating natural cardiac function. This periodic volume change is achieved through a membrane that expands and contracts in response to pressure differences, generating physiological pulsatile flow patterns that prevent blood trauma and hemolysis while maintaining continuous flow.
2Reliability
If membrane material is made elastic to allow volume variation, then pulsatile flow is generated, but stagnation points form due to distension and contraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from elastic material to impermeable flexible non-elastic material. This material parameter change allows the membrane to vary internal volume through geometric deformation rather than elastic distension. The membrane changes shape and orientation in response to pressure gradients, creating pulsatile flow without the formation of stagnation points that occur with elastic material distension and contraction.
3Productivity
If conventional pumping methods are used, then blood is moved through the system, but blood pressure regulation is inadequate leading to cardiovascular complications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a compliant chamber with a membrane as a mediator between the blood flow system and the pumping mechanism. This intermediary chamber receives blood during diastole when pressure is lower, and releases it during systole when pressure is higher, effectively regulating blood pressure. The membrane acts as a flexible barrier that transmits pressure changes while maintaining separation, enabling physiological blood pressure regulation that prevents cardiovascular complications.
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 membrane effectively dampens arterial pulse waves, stabilizes blood pressure, reduces hemolysis, and minimizes complications by maintaining continuous and uniform blood flow, thereby improving vascular distensibility and reducing the risk of cardiovascular events associated with hypertension.
Implementation Method 1
made from impermeable, flexible non-elastic material to prevent stagnation points and ensure continuous blood flow
Implementation Method 2
The membrane effectively dampens arterial pulse waves, stabilizes blood pressure
Implementation Method 3
provides pulsatile flow by varying internal volume without distension or contraction
Data Source
AI summary
Membranes are provided to be specially developed for use in chambers for artificial circulatory assistance which may be employed primarily in cardiovascular procedures, notably to produce arterial capacitance, to regulate blood pressure, to produce aortic counterpulsation and to pump blood. The membrane may have circular sections that may vary in size or not depending on the function to be performed and are interconnected so that the transition between one section and the other is smooth, regardless of the size of each section. Further, chambers and pumps may be used for cardiopulmonary bypass and a pumping system.