High-Pressure Pump Seal Assembly for Leak-Free Thrombectomy Jets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thrombectomy systems face challenges in effectively removing thrombi while maintaining high pressure to generate high velocity saline jets, and they often struggle with leakages.
Innovation Solution
The proposed thrombectomy system incorporates a high pressure pump with a cylinder, piston rod, and a high pressure seal assembly that includes a T-plate and a crush washer, designed to withstand high pressures and prevent leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If high pressure is maintained to generate high velocity saline jets, then thrombus removal effectiveness is improved, but leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is segmented into multiple functional components: T-plate, crush washer, and sealing surfaces. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific sealing function, distributing the sealing task across multiple elements rather than relying on a single seal, thereby maintaining reliability at high pressures.
Solution Approach 2:
The crush washer undergoes deformation from its initial flat configuration to a deformed configuration that creates an interference fit with the high pressure fluid supply tube. This parameter change (shape deformation) under compression transforms the sealing interface to prevent leakage at high pressures while maintaining the required saline jet velocity.
2Reliability
If high pressure seal assembly is implemented to prevent leaks, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The crush washer is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily replaced. This approach reduces the complexity of maintaining the seal assembly - rather than designing a complex reusable sealing mechanism, a simple disposable crush washer provides reliable sealing that can be quickly replaced if needed, balancing reliability with manageable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex active sealing mechanisms (such as movable seals or pressure-regulating systems), the invention uses a passive deformation approach where the crush washer is compressed to create the seal. This inversion - using compression-induced deformation rather than active sealing - simplifies the overall assembly while maintaining high pressure reliability.
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
This design enables the thrombectomy system to generate high velocity saline jets effectively, while the high pressure seal assembly ensures reliable operation without leaks, enhancing the system's efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
the engagement of the second radially inward facing surface of the T-plate with the crush washer deforms the crush washer from a first configuration to a second configuration different from the first configuration
Implementation Method 2
the engagement of the second radially inward facing surface of the T-plate with the crush washer deforms the crush washer
Implementation Method 3
the piston rod is configured to pump fluid through a high pressure fluid supply tube
Implementation Method 4
the second end region of the high pressure connector includes a first threaded region, and wherein the first threaded region of the high pressure connector is configured to engage a second threaded region of the cylinder, and wherein rotation of the first threaded region of the high pressure connector along the second threaded region of the cylinder engages the second radially inward facing surface of the T-plate with the crush washer
Data Source
AI summary
An example medical device is disclosed. An example high pressure pump for use in thrombectomy system includes a cylinder having an upper region, a lower region, and a fluid pumping chamber that includes a piston rod extending within at least a portion of the fluid pumping chamber, wherein the piston rod is configured to pump fluid through a high pressure fluid supply tube. The high pressure pump also includes a high pressure connector having a first end region and a second end region, wherein the second end is coupled to the lower region of the cylinder and a high pressure seal assembly is positioned between the second end of the high pressure connector and the cylinder, and wherein the high pressure seal assembly includes a T-plate and a crush washer.