Expandable Pump-Outlet Tube for Aortic Centering and Flow Direction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ventricular assist devices face challenges in effectively centering and directing blood flow within the aorta, leading to inefficiencies in cardiac support and potential complications during percutaneous coronary interventions.
Innovation Solution
A left-ventricular assist device with a pump-outlet tube featuring an expandable element, such as a stent or inflatable balloon, that surrounds the delivery tube and includes blood-outlet openings, is designed to be inserted into the left ventricle, with an impeller for pumping blood. The expandable element centers the device within the aorta and directs blood flow through the openings, enhancing cardiac output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pump-outlet tube is inserted through the aorta into the left ventricle, then the device can pump blood from the ventricle, but the device cannot effectively center itself within the aorta leading to inefficient blood flow direction
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable element transitions from a compressed delivery state to an expanded deployed state, dynamically changing its configuration to perform different functions: during delivery it is compact for insertion, and during operation it expands to center the device and direct blood flow effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable element acts as an intermediary component between the delivery tube and the aorta wall, facilitating device centering and blood flow direction without requiring direct complex interaction between the main device body and the aortic wall
2Reliability
If the delivery tube extends from outside the body to the distal portion of the pump-outlet tube, then the impeller can be positioned within the ventricle, but the device lacks effective centering mechanism within the aorta
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable element enables the device to center itself within the aorta through its own expansion action, eliminating the need for external centering mechanisms or complex control systems. The device performs its own centering function autonomously
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable element is nested within or around the delivery tube during the delivery phase, allowing compact insertion. Upon deployment, it expands outward to perform the centering function while the delivery tube remains in place for continued access
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 device effectively centers itself within the aorta, ensuring efficient blood flow and cardiac support, thereby improving cardiac output and reducing complications during interventions.
Implementation Method 1
an expandable element surrounds a delivery tube of a left-ventricular assist device. For example, the expandable element may include an expandable stent, an expandable braided element, or an inflatable element (e.g., a balloon)
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods are described including a blood pump that includes a pump-outlet tube shaped to define one or more blood-outlet openings and configured for insertion into a heart of a subject. An impeller is disposed within a distal portion of the pump-outlet tube and is configured to pump blood of the subject proximally through the pump-outlet tube, such that the blood exits the pump-outlet tube through the blood-outlet openings. A delivery tube extends, from outside a body of the subject, through the pump-outlet tube to the distal portion. A drive cable passes through the delivery tube and is configured to rotate the impeller. A proximal portion of the pump-outlet tube includes multiple strips adhered to the delivery tube. Other embodiments are also described.