Split Sleeve Sealing for Intravascular Pump Blood Loss Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing intravascular blood pumps face challenges in preventing blood loss during insertion due to blood flow through the inlet, which can occur when the pump is inserted into a patient's cardiovascular system, and existing solutions like longer sheaths outside the body limit flexibility and increase the risk of over-advancing the introducer, while rapid insertion may cause damage.

Innovation Solution

A split sleeve is designed to be removably disposed over the inlet of the intravascular pump, forming a seal by applying pressure to prevent blood loss, featuring a flexible body with a slit that can conform to the pump and dislodge from the introducer sheath during insertion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If a longer sheath is used outside the body to prevent blood loss, then blood loss is reduced, but flexibility is limited and the risk of over-advancing the introducer increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood lossVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protective covering is divided into two distinct parts: an introducer sheath for insertion and a separate protective covering that remains outside the body. This segmentation allows the introducer to be flexible and manageable during insertion, while the external protective covering continues to prevent blood loss without limiting operator flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The function of preventing blood loss is extracted from the introducer sheath itself and transferred to a separate protective covering. This allows the introducer to be shorter and more flexible, while the protective covering independently performs the blood loss prevention function from outside the body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Loss of substance

If rapid insertion is performed to prevent blood loss, then blood loss is reduced, but damage to the cardiovascular system may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood lossVSAvoiddamage to cardiovascular system
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective covering is pre-positioned outside the body before insertion begins. This preliminary positioning allows the operator to control the insertion speed and process without concern for blood loss, as the covering is already in place to prevent it, thereby eliminating the need for rapid insertion that could cause damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of substance

If the protective covering remains attached to the intravascular pump after insertion, then blood loss prevention continues, but the pump cannot be properly positioned

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood loss preventionVSAvoidpump positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into the intravascular pump and the protective covering as separate components. The covering can be attached during insertion to prevent blood loss, then detached after positioning is complete, allowing both blood loss prevention and proper pump positioning to be achieved at different stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective covering performs its blood loss prevention function preliminarily during the insertion and positioning process, then is removed or detached to allow the pump to function normally in its final position. This preliminary use of the covering enables safe positioning without interfering with the final pump operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4706735A1Split sleeve for use with an intravascular pump
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 ABIOMED INC
  • EP4706735A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4706735A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4706735A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4

AI summary

The disclosed technology includes a flexible sleeve having a split that can be removably disposed over an inlet of an intravascular pump while the pump is inserted into a cardiovascular system. The split sleeve can be configured to prevent blood from flowing out the inlet, thereby reducing or preventing blood loss. As the intravascular pump is inserted into an introducer sheath and into a patient, the physician can apply pressure to the split sleeve and the inlet of the intravascular pump, thereby creating a seal and preventing blood loss.