Support structures for intravascular blood pumps
Inventors
Clifton, William • Earles, Ronald G. • HERTZOG, Benjamin • Heuring, Jason J. • Durst, Christopher A. • BENAVIDES, Omar • Fain, Eric S.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12017060-B2
Publication Date
2024-06-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
An improved system for supporting (e.g., localization and/or positioning of) intravascular devices discussed herein provides for example a multi-element arrangement. A set of struts optionally projects from the intravascular device and contacts the vessel walls. The localization and positioning of the pump may be provided by the struts and/or by use of a tether opposing a propulsive force to ensure localization.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a blood flow assist system that includes a pump comprising a pump housing having a longitudinal axis, and a cable or lead extending away from the pump housing. The pump is coupled with a plurality of struts, each strut supporting an end portion of the pump housing and a plurality of convex contact pads configured to at least intermittently contact a blood vessel wall at one or more respective locations along the longitudinal axis, where the locations are longitudinally offset from the pump housing.
The contact pads comprise convex contact pads with a convex profile in a cross-sectional plane disposed transverse to a longitudinal axis of the corresponding strut, and in some configurations further comprise domed surfaces configured to engage the blood vessel wall. The contact pads are configured to maintain spacing of the pump housing from the blood vessel wall without hooking the blood vessel wall in use, including configurations where the plurality of convex contact pads are disposed distal and radially outward of the pump housing.
In related configurations, the struts include knees/inflection zones, and the struts have expanded and collapsed configurations for positioning. A related aspect of the system uses the elongate body configured as a tether that opposes a thrust force generated by the pump when operating in a blood vessel to pump blood, with intermittent centering aided by the tether and at least one contact pad contacting the wall and moving away from the wall throughout the procedure.
Claims Coverage
The document provides multiple independent claims focused on maintaining pump housing spacing from a blood vessel wall using convex or domed contact pads on struts and, in some claims, tethered cable or lead behavior that opposes pump thrust. Across the independent claims, the coverage is built from a core set of geometry and engagement features involving convex profile transverse to the strut axis, intermittent wall contact, and spacing maintenance, with additional independent coverage for tether-thrust opposition and constraints on collapsed strut dimensions.
Intermittent convex contact pads on longitudinally offset locations without hooking
A blood flow assist system with a pump housing and a plurality of convex contact pads coupled with struts, where each convex contact pad is configured to at least intermittently contact a blood vessel wall without hooking the blood vessel wall at one or more respective locations along the longitudinal axis longitudinally offset from the pump housing to maintain spacing of the pump housing from the blood vessel wall, the convex contact pads comprising a convex profile in a cross-sectional plane disposed transverse to a longitudinal axis of the corresponding strut.
Domed convex engagement surfaces disposed transverse to strut axis
A blood flow assist system with convex domed contact pads disposed at respective distal portions of elongate struts coupled with an end of the pump housing, where the domed surfaces are configured to engage a blood vessel wall and maintain spacing of the pump housing from the blood vessel wall, the domed surface being convex in a cross-sectional plane disposed transverse to a longitudinal axis of the corresponding strut.
Convex strut-end contact pads maintaining spacing with tethered thrust opposition
A blood flow assist system with a pump housing, a cable or lead, and convex contact pads disposed at a free end of corresponding struts coupled with an end of the pump housing, where the convex contact pads comprise a convex profile in a cross-sectional plane disposed transverse to a longitudinal axis of the corresponding strut, the cable or lead is configured as a tether configured to oppose a thrust force generated by the pump when operating in a blood vessel to pump blood, and the contact pads are configured to only intermittently contact the blood vessel wall so that throughout a procedure at least one contact pad contacts the wall and moves away from the wall.
Collapsed strut configuration with major lateral dimension no more than pump housing
A blood flow assist system with a pump housing and an elongate body, where convex contact pads comprise a domed surface configured to engage a blood vessel wall with the domed surface convex in a cross-sectional plane, and a plurality of elongate struts extend between first and second ends with contact pads disposed at respective distal portions, the domed surface disposed transverse to a longitudinal axis of the corresponding strut, wherein in a collapsed configuration of the struts at least a portion of the struts has a major lateral dimension that is no more than a major lateral dimension of the pump housing.
Overall, the independent claim set targets a blood flow assist pump positioned within a blood vessel by convex or domed contact pads that at least intermittently contact the vessel wall to maintain spacing without hooking, with geometric orientation transverse to strut axes. Additional independent coverage specifies tethered cable or lead behavior opposing pump thrust while preserving intermittent wall contact, and a dimensional constraint on strut collapsed configuration relative to the pump housing.
Stated Advantages
Reduced sheath diameter.
Atraumatic/non-thrombogenic contact.
Compatibility with endothelialization and removal.
Long-term localization with intermittent centering aided by thrust-tether balance.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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