Modular VAD Battery Chain for Redundant Power Without Extra Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventricular assist device (VAD) systems face challenges with power supply modularity and redundancy, leading to weight, cost, and complexity issues, which limit patient mobility and flexibility in managing varying activity levels.
Innovation Solution
The proposed energy supply system includes a base module and modular energy storage devices that are mechanically coupled in series and electrically coupled in parallel, providing redundant power sources for implantable blood pumps. This configuration allows for increased flexibility in power capacity and reduced weight, enabling patients to choose the appropriate battery configuration based on their activity needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a single large capacity battery pack is used to meet power needs for extended periods, then the duration of action is improved, but the weight of the moving object increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery power system is divided into multiple modular battery packs that can be used individually or combined. Each battery pack provides a standardized amount of power, and patients can select the number of packs needed based on their specific activity requirements, rather than carrying a single large heavy battery for all scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic adjustment of battery capacity by enabling patients to add or remove battery packs based on their daily activity needs. The battery system transitions from a fixed configuration to a flexible, adaptable configuration that changes with usage requirements.
2Reliability
If multiple redundant battery packs are carried to ensure continuous power supply, then the reliability is improved, but the weight of the moving object increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power system is segmented into multiple independent, interchangeable battery packs. This segmentation allows for redundancy without requiring all backup batteries to be carried simultaneously - patients can swap packs as needed, maintaining reliability while reducing the weight of batteries that must be carried at any one time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables patients to discard used battery packs and recover (swap in) charged replacement packs. This approach maintains continuous power availability through redundancy while allowing patients to manage the weight of carried batteries by swapping rather than carrying all backup capacity at once.
3Device complexity
If a fixed capacity battery is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into standardized modular units with consistent interfaces and connection protocols. This segmentation maintains simplicity in the design of individual packs while enabling adaptability through the ability to combine multiple identical modules in different quantities to meet varying power needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized battery pack design creates a universal interface that can serve multiple functions and configurations. The same basic battery pack unit can be used in various combinations to provide different levels of power capacity, making the system adaptable to different activity levels without requiring complex custom configurations.
4Duration of action of moving object
If additional battery capacity is added to meet varying activity needs, then the duration of action is improved, but the weight of the moving object increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power system is divided into discrete, addable battery modules. Patients can segment their total battery capacity into the specific number of packs needed for their planned activity duration, rather than being forced to carry excess capacity in a fixed large battery configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery capacity becomes a dynamic parameter that patients can adjust based on their activity plans. They can carry more packs for extended activities and fewer packs for shorter activities, allowing the system to adapt to different duration requirements without permanently increasing weight.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and related methods for supplying power to an implantable blood pump are provided. A system includes a base module and a plurality of energy storage devices. A first energy storage device is operatively coupled to the base module. A second energy storage device is operatively coupled to the first modular energy storage device. The energy storage devices are mechanically coupled in series, electrically coupled in parallel, and configured to provide redundant sources of power to drive an implantable blood pump.