Ventricular Assist Device Dual Pump Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ventricular assist devices face challenges in being fully implantable, reliable, and efficient enough to sustain life without external components, while also avoiding blood cell damage and clot formation, and require improved redundancy for prolonged functionality.
Innovation Solution
A dual stage redundant impeller ventricular assist device with electrically-driven impeller drive motors, dual microprocessor controllers, and inductively coupled battery charging, allowing for complete pump redundancy and monitoring, ensuring continuous blood flow and life support in case of pump failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single pump is used in the ventricular assist device, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability decreases due to lack of redundancy
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is divided into two independent pump stages (first pump stage and second pump stage) that can operate independently. Each stage has its own impeller and drive mechanism, allowing one stage to take over if the other fails, thus providing redundancy without requiring a completely separate backup pump system.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates a controller that monitors the operation of both pump stages and can detect failures. When a failure is detected in one stage, the controller automatically activates the backup stage before complete pump failure occurs, ensuring continuous blood flow and providing a safety buffer against device failure.
2Duration of action of moving object
If external battery charging apparatus is required, then the device can be recharged, but the need for external connections reduces implantability and increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/wire connections for battery charging with inductive coupling technology. The external battery charger uses electromagnetic induction to transfer power through the skin without physical contact, eliminating the need for penetrating connectors and reducing infection risks while maintaining rechargeability.
Solution Approach 2:
The inductive coupling system acts as an intermediary between the external charger and the implanted battery. The external charger generates an electromagnetic field that induces current in a coil within the implanted battery, serving as a non-contact power transfer medium that eliminates the need for direct electrical connections.
3Volume of moving object
If the device is made smaller for implantability, then the implantability improves, but the pumping efficiency and blood flow capability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a nested configuration where the first pump stage and second pump stage are arranged concentrically or in a compact stacked arrangement. The impellers and drive mechanisms are integrated to share common structural elements, allowing both pump stages to be housed in a smaller overall volume while maintaining their individual pumping capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller integrates multiple functions including monitoring both pump stages, managing battery power distribution, controlling inductive charging reception, and coordinating the operation of dual impellers. This consolidation of control functions into a single integrated unit reduces the overall device volume while maintaining comprehensive control over all subsystems.
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
The device provides enhanced reliability and efficiency by maintaining blood circulation and preventing clot formation, with the dual pump redundancy ensuring continued operation until remedial intervention, and inductive charging for self-sustenance, reducing external apparatus needs.
Implementation Method 1
An inductively coupled battery charger for use outside the recipient's body is positioned proximate the battery charger to provide inductively coupled charging for use in driving the artificial heart
Data Source
AI summary
A ventricular assist device for use in a human recipient includes a housing within which a series pair of turbine pump segments are operative. The series pair of turbine pump segments provides a redundancy in turn enhances the safety factor provided by the ventricular assist device. A controller is powered by a rechargeable battery and is operative to apply appropriate drive signals to the motor drives of the turbine pump segments. The battery may be implanted along with the controller to avoid the need for any external connections to the ventricular assist device. An inductively coupled batter charger for use outside the recipient's body is positioned proximate the battery charger to provide inductively coupled charging for use in driving the ventricular assist device.