VAD Driveline AC Power Modulation Against Corrosion Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventricular assist devices (VADs) face challenges with driveline corrosion and failure due to the use of DC power and moisture exposure, leading to reliability issues and potential loss of power.
Innovation Solution
The system provides AC power to the VAD through a driveline with redundant and reconfigurable wires, using a frequency to minimize corrosion and encoding schemes to prevent DC bias, ensuring continued operation even with wire failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If DC power is used through the driveline, then the VAD can be powered, but the driveline is susceptible to corrosion and failure due to moisture exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameter from DC power to AC power at a specific frequency (e.g., 100 Hz or higher). This frequency change prevents DC bias and reduces corrosion risk while maintaining power transmission capability through the driveline
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the DC electrical system with an AC electrical system that uses high-frequency alternating current. This substitution eliminates the DC bias that causes corrosion, thereby improving driveline reliability without sacrificing power transmission
2Reliability
If redundant wires are added to the driveline, then wire failure risk is reduced, but the driveline size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the driveline wires to serve multiple functions: they can transmit both power and communication signals. The same wire infrastructure supports both purposes through proper signal encoding and multiplexing, reducing the need for separate dedicated wires for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines power transmission and communication functions into a single driveline infrastructure. By multiplexing signals and using the same physical wires for both power and data, the system reduces overall complexity while maintaining redundancy for failover
3Object-affected harmful factors
If AC power with high frequency is used, then corrosion is minimized, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of the AC power from standard frequencies to higher frequencies (e.g., 100 Hz or above). This parameter change has the beneficial effect of minimizing corrosion while the increased frequency allows for more efficient power transmission through the driveline
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 approach reduces the risk of driveline corrosion and failure, maintaining power and communication to the VAD, thereby enhancing reliability and reducing the size and cost of the driveline.
Implementation Method 1
The implanted blood pump can include a rectifier electrically connected to the pump control unit. In some embodiments, the implantable rectifier can convert the AC to DC for powering the pump control unit.
Data Source
AI summary
Mechanical circulatory support systems are disclosed herein. A mechanical circulatory support system includes a ventricular assist device, a percutaneous driveline, and an external controller. The ventricular assist device includes an annular magnetic rotor, centrifugal impeller blades, a stator assembly, and control electronics. The stator assembly includes levitation coils and drive coils arranged radially relative to the annular magnetic rotor. The control electronics include a receiver and are configured to control electrical supply to the drive coils and the levitation coils. The percutaneous driveline includes power transmission wires connected to the control electronics. The external controller is connected to the percutaneous driveline and configured to transmit electrical power over the power transmission wires to the control electronics. The external controller includes a transmitter configured to transmit a data signal over the power transmission wires to the receiver.