Ventricular Cuff Rigid Frame for Stable Heart Pump Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ventricular assist devices face challenges in securely attaching to the heart, particularly in maintaining a stable position and preventing inflow cannula malposition, which can lead to reduced pump performance and adverse clinical events.
Innovation Solution
A ventricular cuff with an apical ring, sewing ring, and rigid frame that includes struts to maintain space and secure the heart pump, along with an insert ring for a friction fit engagement, and a locking mechanism to prevent accidental uncoupling, ensuring a stable and secure attachment to the heart.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a ventricular assist device is attached to the heart, then blood flow is improved, but the device may become malpositioned or unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment device is divided into multiple functional components: a cuff body for circumferential attachment, an apical ring for securing the inflow cannula, and a rigid frame with struts for maintaining spatial relationships. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, ensuring both blood flow improvement and device stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid frame with struts is pre-configured to maintain the correct spatial relationship between the sewing ring and apical ring before implantation. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the device is implanted, the inflow cannula is automatically positioned at the optimal angle and distance from the outflow graft, preventing malpositioning and ensuring stable blood flow.
2Productivity
If the inflow cannula is secured to the ventricular cuff, then pump performance is improved, but the cannula may become malpositioned
Solution Approach 1:
The apical ring acts as an intermediary component between the inflow cannula and the ventricular cuff. It provides a dedicated engagement structure that secures the cannula at a predetermined angle and position relative to the outflow graft. This intermediary ensures precise positioning without requiring complex manufacturing tolerances in the final assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid frame extends in the longitudinal dimension, creating a three-dimensional spatial relationship between the sewing ring and apical ring. This dimensional approach allows the cannula to be positioned at the correct angle and distance from the outflow graft, ensuring precise positioning through spatial geometry rather than relying solely on two-dimensional planar constraints.
3Reliability
If a rigid frame is added to maintain space between components, then positioning stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid frame is merged with the apical ring and sewing ring structures, integrating the positioning function into existing components rather than adding a completely separate structure. The struts are directly attached to these rings, combining structural support with positioning functions and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid frame with struts serves multiple functions: it maintains the spatial relationship between the sewing ring and apical ring, positions the inflow cannula at the correct angle, and provides structural support for the entire assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
In one general aspect, a cuff for attachment to a heart includes an attachment component configured to engage a blood pump to attach the cuff to the blood pump and a sewing ring for attachment to the heart. The sewing ring is coupled to the attachment component, and the attachment component and the sewing ring each define a central opening configured to admit an inflow cannula of a blood pump. The sewing ring comprises a member that provides rigidity to flatten a portion of a myocardium of the heart when the cuff is attached to the heart.