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Publication Number
US-11992670-B2
Publication Date
2024-05-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
The invention includes three flushing channels each having a flushing channel longitudinal axis oriented parallel to the rotary shaft, which are distributed evenly around a rotary shaft with each flushing channels including a flushing channel cross-section oriented orthogonally to the rotary shaft. The cross-sections are each kidney-shaped and surround the rotary shaft in sectors.
Core Innovation
The invention is a blood pump with a pump housing that includes a bottleneck-shaped flow inlet region. A blade assembly is mounted for rotation on a rotatable shaft and encloses a main flow channel together with the pump housing, while a rotary motor is located within an inner housing and is rotatably connected by a magnetic coupling to the blade assembly for rotating the blade assembly.
The inner housing in conjunction with the pump housing encloses a flow channel continuing the main flow channel, and together with the blade assembly encloses a secondary channel. The secondary channel is fluidically connected to at least one flushing channel passing through the blade assembly and opening into the bottleneck-shaped flow inlet region.
Three flushing channels are distributed evenly around the rotary shaft, each having a longitudinal axis oriented parallel to the rotary shaft and each including a kidney-shaped cross-section in each section surrounding the rotary shaft. In each flushing channel cross-section, a concave peripheral contour and a convex peripheral contour are defined lying on a first virtual circular line and a second virtual circular line, respectively, with the second radius larger than the first.
The blade assembly is enclosed within the pump structure and is defined by n flat blades oriented radially to the rotary shaft and disposed equidistantly around the rotary shaft. Dependent refinements further define blade counts and blade geometry relationships using virtual circular lines, as well as bearing and inlay material options.
Claims Coverage
The document contains one independent claim with a pump-housing architecture and internal hydraulic and flush-channel geometry, and dependent claims that refine blade geometry, blade count constraints, and bearing and inlay material arrangements. Across the independent claim and refinements, the coverage centers on three evenly distributed kidney-shaped flushing channels, a magnetic-coupled rotary drive, and specific blade and bearing/inlay constraints.
Blood pump housing with bottleneck-shaped flow inlet region and rotary drive via magnetic coupling
A pump housing for a blood pump comprising a bottleneck-shaped flow inlet region with a blade assembly mounted for rotation on a rotatable shaft, enclosing a main flow channel together with the pump housing, with a rotary motor located within an inner housing and rotatably connected by a magnetic coupling to the blade assembly to rotate the blade assembly.
Main-to-secondary channel with flushing channels through the blade assembly into the bottleneck-shaped inlet region
An inner housing in conjunction with the pump housing enclosing a flow channel continuing the main flow channel, and together with the blade assembly enclosing a secondary channel fluidically communicating with the main flow channel, the secondary channel being fluidically connected to at least one flushing channel passing through the blade assembly and opening into the bottleneck-shaped flow inlet region.
Three evenly distributed parallel-axis kidney-shaped flushing channels surrounding the rotary shaft
Three flushing channels distributed evenly around the rotary shaft, each flushing channel having a longitudinal axis oriented parallel to the rotary shaft and each flushing channel including a kidney-shaped cross-section in each section surrounding the rotary shaft.
Concave and convex flushing-channel peripheral contours on first and second virtual circular lines
In the kidney-shaped cross-section, a concave peripheral contour and a convex peripheral contour are defined to lie on a first virtual circular line and a second virtual circular line, respectively.
Equidistantly arranged radially oriented flat blades driven on the rotary shaft
A total number of n blades oriented radially to the rotary shaft, each blade being flat and disposed equidistantly around the rotary shaft, with the blade assembly enclosing a main flow channel together with the pump housing.
Lower bearing with a pot-shaped inlay element of ceramic or UHM plastic
A bearing arrangement in which the upper end of the rotary shaft is mounted in a bearing sleeve located in the bottleneck-shaped flow inlet region indirectly secured to the pump housing, and a lower bearing facing the blade assembly for rotatably receiving a lower end of the rotary shaft, the lower bearing including a pot-shaped inlay element and the inlay element being made either of ceramic or of UHM plastic.
Blade geometry refinement using defined blade count and virtual-circle-based radial extension relationships
Refinements in which the blood pump includes a total of 6 blades and/or a blade arrangement divided into two groups of n/2 with differing radial extensions defined between first, second, and third virtual circular lines along the rotary shaft, with the blades arranged alternatingly around the shaft.
Overall, the claims coverage is directed to a blood pump pump housing with a bottleneck-shaped inlet, a magnetic-coupled rotary motor and rotatable blade assembly, internal main and secondary channels that feed flushing channels through the blade assembly into the bottleneck-shaped inlet region, and a specific flushing-channel geometry using kidney-shaped cross-sections with virtual-circle-defined concave and convex contours. Additional claim refinements cover specific blade count and alternating blade grouping using virtual circular-line constraints, and bearing and inlay material options including ceramic or UHM plastic with a pot-shaped inlay element.
Stated Advantages
Improved delivery at lower rotational speed.
Gentle blood handling.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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