Spiral Inlet Tube for Circulatory Pump Flow Transition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Circulatory support devices experience turbulence and shear stress due to the transition from axial to circular blood flow, which affects the efficiency and stability of blood pumps.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a spiral feature within the inlet tube and pump housing to support a spiral flow of blood, including spiral wires and expandable membranes, and angled blades to facilitate a continuous spiral motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If axial flow transitions directly to circular flow after the inlet guide, then the blood pump can process blood efficiently, but shear stress increases and turbulence occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet tube is pre-configured with a spiral shape before blood enters the pump, so that the blood flow is gradually transitioned into a spiral flow pattern before reaching the impeller. This preliminary spiral configuration reduces the abrupt transition from axial to circular flow, thereby reducing shear stress and turbulence while maintaining efficient blood processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The inlet tube is designed with a spiral curvature instead of a straight configuration. This curved path gradually redirects the axial blood flow into a spiral flow pattern that matches the circular motion required by the impeller, reducing turbulence and shear stress during the transition while maintaining flow efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the inlet tube is curved to follow the aorta toward the ventricle, then anatomical compatibility is improved, but turbulence is generated in the blood flow
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet tube incorporates a controlled spiral curvature that follows the natural aortic path while simultaneously transforming the blood flow from axial to spiral motion. This dual-function curvature maintains anatomical compatibility for implantation while the specific spiral geometry reduces turbulence by creating a smoother flow transition.
3Ease of operation
If radially oriented blades are used in the inlet guide, then flow direction is controlled, but the abrupt transition to circular flow creates shear stress
Solution Approach 1:
The spiral inlet tube performs the flow direction transformation in advance, before the blood reaches the inlet guide with radially oriented blades. By the time blood enters the inlet guide, it is already in a spiral flow pattern, so the blades work with this pre-conditioned flow rather than creating an abrupt transition, thereby reducing shear stress.
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
Reduces turbulence and enhances flow efficiency by maintaining a consistent spiral flow, improving the performance and stability of circulatory support devices.
Implementation Method 1
a spiral feature disposed within the lumen and configured to support a spiral flow of the incoming blood
Data Source
AI summary
An inlet tube of a circulatory support device includes a first end configured to receive incoming blood and a second end coupled to a first end of a blood pump. A lumen extends from the first end to the second end, and a spiral feature is disposed within the lumen and configured to support a spiral flow of the incoming blood.