阅读说明：本技术 抗血栓表面电势陶瓷元件 (Antithrombotic surface potential ceramic element ) 是由 F·卡萨斯 于 2018-04-06 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种包括壳体的植入式血泵。至少一个定子被设置在该壳体内。转子被设置在该壳体内,该至少一个定子被配置成用于当电流被施加至该定子时旋转该转子。至少一个至少部分压电的盘被设置在该壳体内。(An implantable blood pump includes a housing. At least one stator is disposed within the housing. A rotor is disposed within the housing, the at least one stator configured to rotate the rotor when a current is applied to the stator. At least one at least partially piezoelectric disc is disposed within the housing.)

1. An implantable blood pump comprising:

a housing;

at least one stator disposed within the housing;

a rotor disposed within the housing, the at least one stator configured to rotate the rotor when an electrical current is applied to the stator; and

at least one at least partially piezoelectric element disposed within the housing.

2. The blood pump of claim 1, wherein said at least one at least partially piezoelectric element is one from the group consisting of a ceramic disk and a ceramic tube.

3. The blood pump of claim 2, wherein said at least one at least partially piezoelectric element is in communication with a power source.

4. The blood pump of claim 3, wherein said at least one at least partially piezoelectric element comprises a plurality of piezoelectric regions separated by at least one non-piezoelectric region.

5. The blood pump of claim 4, wherein said power source is configured for selectively applying at least one from the group consisting of voltage and current to each of said plurality of piezoelectric regions.

6. The blood pump of claim 3, wherein said at least one at least partially piezoelectric element is configured to vibrate when said power source applies at least one from the group consisting of a voltage and a current to said at least one at least partially piezoelectric element.

7. The blood pump of claim 3, wherein said at least one at least partially piezoelectric element generates a surface potential during operation of said blood pump.

8. The blood pump of claim 7, wherein said at least one at least partially piezoelectric element comprises a plurality of piezoelectric regions separated by at least one non-piezoelectric region.

9. The blood pump of claim 8, wherein said power supply is configured to adjust said surface potential of said plurality of piezoelectric regions.

10. The blood pump according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein said at least one at least partially piezoelectric element is fully piezoelectric.

11. The blood pump of claim 1, wherein said at least one stator comprises:

a first stator disposed within the housing, the first stator configured to rotate the rotor when at least one from the group consisting of voltage and current voltage is applied to the first stator, the rotor disposed within the housing downstream of the first stator; and a second stator disposed within the housing downstream of the rotor, the second stator configured to rotate the rotor when a voltage is applied to the second stator; and is

Wherein the at least one piezoelectric element comprises:

a first at least partially piezoelectric disc disposed between the first stator and the rotor; and a downstream second at least partially piezoelectric disc disposed between the second stator and the rotor.

12. The blood pump of claim 11, wherein said first at least partially piezoelectric disc and said second at least partially piezoelectric disc are in communication with a power source external to said housing.

13. The blood pump of claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the first at least partially piezoelectric disc and the second at least partially piezoelectric disc are comprised of ceramic discs.

14. The blood pump of claim 12, wherein said first at least partially piezoelectric disc and said second at least partially piezoelectric disc each comprise a plurality of piezoelectric regions separated by at least one non-piezoelectric region.

15. The blood pump of claim 14, wherein said power source is configured for selectively applying at least one from the group consisting of voltage and current to each of said plurality of piezoelectric regions, and wherein said first at least partially piezoelectric disc and said second at least partially piezoelectric disc are configured for vibrating when at least one from the group consisting of voltage and current is applied.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to blood pumps with integrated anti-thrombotic elements.

Background

Implantable blood pumps used as mechanical circulation support devices (or "MCSDs") include a pumping mechanism for removing blood from the heart to other parts of the body. The pumping mechanism may be a centrifugal flow pump, such as, for example, an HVAD @ pump manufactured by HeartWare corporation of Miami lake, Florida. The HVAD @ pump is further discussed in U.S. Pat. No.8,512,013, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety. In operation, the blood pump draws blood from a source (such as the right ventricle, left ventricle, right atrium, or left atrium of a patient's heart) and pushes the blood into the aorta (such as the ascending aorta or peripheral artery of the patient).

In the exemplary embodimentIn a pump, an impeller is positioned within a housing having an upstream inflow cannula and a downstream outlet. The impeller is configured to rotate along an axis defined by the rotor and to propel blood upstream from the inflow cannula to the downstream outlet. In such configurations, the impeller pumps blood in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis about which it rotates. The pump includes dual stators, one upstream and one downstream of the impeller, and each configured to rotate the impeller for propelling blood. A non-ferromagnetic ceramic disk is disposed between the impeller and each corresponding stator, separating the corresponding stator from the impeller and providing a smooth surface for pumping blood. However, due to the small gap between each ceramic disk and the impeller, particles may be trapped between the impeller and the ceramic disks.

Disclosure of Invention

Some embodiments advantageously provide an implantable blood pump including a housing. At least one stator is disposed within the housing. A rotor is disposed within the housing, the at least one stator being configured to rotate the rotor when a current or voltage is applied to the stator. At least one at least partially piezoelectric disc is disposed within the housing.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the at least one at least partially piezoelectric element is at least one from the group consisting of a ceramic disk and a ceramic tube.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the at least one at least partially piezoelectric element is in communication with a power source.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the at least one at least partially piezoelectric element comprises a plurality of piezoelectric regions separated by at least one non-piezoelectric region.

In another aspect of the present embodiment, the power supply is configured to selectively apply a voltage to each of the plurality of piezoelectric regions and induce a current.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the at least one at least partially piezoelectric element is configured to vibrate when a power source applies a voltage to the at least one at least partially piezoelectric element and induces a current.

In a further aspect of the present embodiment, the at least one at least partially piezoelectric element generates a surface potential during operation of the blood pump.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the at least one at least partially piezoelectric element comprises a plurality of piezoelectric regions separated by at least one non-piezoelectric region.

In another aspect of the present embodiment, the power supply is configured to adjust a surface potential of the plurality of piezoelectric regions.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the at least one at least partially piezoelectric element is fully piezoelectric.

In another embodiment, an implantable blood pump includes a housing having an upstream end and a downstream end. A first stator is disposed in the housing. A rotor is disposed within the housing, the first stator configured to rotate the rotor when a voltage is applied to the first stator. The rotor is positioned within the housing downstream of the stator. A first at least partially piezoelectric disc is disposed within the housing, the first at least partially piezoelectric disc being disposed between the first stator and the rotor. A second stator is disposed within the housing downstream of the rotor, the second stator configured to rotate the rotor when a voltage is applied to the second stator. A second at least partially piezoelectric disc is disposed between the second stator and the rotor.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the at least one at least partially piezoelectric element is in communication with a power source external to the housing.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the first at least partially piezoelectric disk and the second at least partially piezoelectric disk are comprised of one from the group consisting of ceramic disks and ceramic tubes.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the first at least partially piezoelectric disc and the second at least partially piezoelectric disc comprise a plurality of piezoelectric regions separated by at least one non-piezoelectric region.

In another aspect of the present embodiment, the power supply is configured to selectively apply a voltage to each of the plurality of piezoelectric regions and induce a current.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the first at least partially piezoelectric disc and the second at least partially piezoelectric disc are configured to vibrate when a power supply applies a voltage to the at least one at least partially piezoelectric element and induces a current.

In another aspect of the present embodiment, the first at least partially piezoelectric disc and the second at least partially piezoelectric disc generate a surface potential during operation of the blood pump.

In another aspect of this embodiment, the first at least partially piezoelectric disc and the second at least partially piezoelectric disc comprise a plurality of piezoelectric regions separated by at least one non-piezoelectric region.

In another aspect of the present embodiment, the power supply is configured to adjust a surface potential of the plurality of piezoelectric regions.

In another embodiment, a method for clearing thrombus from an implantable blood pump includes applying a voltage to an at least partially piezoelectric material disposed within the implantable blood pump and inducing a current, the blood pump having a rotor and at least one stator configured to rotate the rotor, the at least partially piezoelectric material disposed between the rotor and the at least one stator.

Drawings

A more complete understanding of the embodiments described herein, as well as the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an exemplary blood pump constructed in accordance with the principles of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled blood pump shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a slice cross-sectional view of the blood pump shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the piezoelectric disc shown in FIG. 1; and

fig. 5 is a top view of another configuration of the piezoelectric disc shown in fig. 4.

Detailed Description

As used herein, relational terms, such as "first" and "second," "top" and "bottom," and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements.

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference designators refer to like elements, there is shown in fig. 1 an exemplary blood pump constructed in accordance with the principles of the present application and designated generally as "10". The blood pump 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a static structure or housing 12 that houses components of the blood pump 10. In one configuration, housing 12 includes a lower housing or first portion 14, an upper housing or second portion 16, and an inlet portion or inflow cannula 18, which includes an outer tube 18a and an inner tube 18 b. The first portion 14 and the second portion 16 cooperatively define a helical (volume) chamber 20, the helical chamber 20 having a major longitudinal axis 22 extending through the first portion and into the cannula 18. The chamber 20 defines a radius that gradually increases about the axis 22 to an exit location on the periphery of the chamber 20. The first portion 14 and the second portion 16 define an outlet 24 in communication with the chamber 20. The first portion 14 and the second portion 16 also define an isolation chamber (not shown) separated from the spiral chamber 20 by a magnetically permeable wall.

Referring now to fig. 1 and 2, the inflow cannula 18 is generally cylindrical and extends from the first portion and generally along the axis 22. The inflow cannula 18 has an upstream or proximal end 26 distal to the second portion 16 and a downstream or distal end 28 proximal to the chamber 20. The various portions of the housing 12 referred to above are fixedly connected to one another such that the housing 12 as a whole defines a continuous closed flow path. The flow path extends from an upstream end 26 at an upstream end of the flow path to an outlet 24 at a downstream end of the flow path. In fig. 1, the upstream and downstream directions along the flow path are indicated by arrows U and D, respectively. A post 30 is mounted to the first portion 14 along the axis 22. A generally disk-shaped ferromagnetic rotor 32 having a central bore 34 is mounted within the chamber 20 for rotation about the shaft 22. The rotor 32 includes permanent magnets and also includes flow channels for transferring blood from near the center of the rotor 32 to the periphery of the rotor 32. In the assembled condition, the post 30 is received in a central bore of the rotor 32. A first stator 36 having a plurality of coils may be disposed within the first section 14 downstream of the rotor 32. The first stator 36 may be axially aligned with the rotor along the shaft 22, such that when current is applied to the plurality of coils in the first stator 36, the electromagnetic force generated by the first stator 36 rotates the rotor 32 and pumps blood. The second stator 38 may be disposed within the second section 16 upstream of the rotor 32. The second stator 38 may be configured for operation in conjunction with the first stator 36 or independently of the first stator 36 for rotating the rotor 32.

Electrical connectors 41 and 43 (fig. 1) are provided on the first and second stators 36 and 38, respectively, for connecting the coils to a power source, such as a controller (not shown). The controller is arranged to apply power to the coils of the pump for creating a rotating magnetic field that rotates the rotor 32 about the shaft 22 in a predetermined first rotational direction, such as the direction R indicated by the arrow in fig. 1, i.e. counter-clockwise as seen from upstream of the inflow cannula 18. In other configurations of the blood pump 10, the first direction may be clockwise. Rotation of the rotor 32 pushes the blood downstream along the flow path, thereby causing the blood to move along the flow path in the downstream direction D and exit through the outlet 24. During rotation, hydrodynamic and magnetic bearings (not shown) support the rotor 32 and maintain the rotor 32 out of contact with elements of the first and second portions 14, 16 during operation, as discussed in more detail below. The general arrangement of components described above may be similar to the blood pump 10 used in an MCSD sold under the name HVAD by HeartWare, inc. The arrangement of components such as magnets, electromagnetic coils, and fluid dynamic bearings used in such pumps and variants of generally the same design is described in U.S. patent nos.6,688,861; 7,575,423, respectively; 7,976,271, respectively; and 8,419,609, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Referring now to fig. 1-5, a first non-ferromagnetic disk 40 may be disposed within the first section 14 downstream of the rotor 32 between the first stator 36 and the rotor 32, and a second non-ferromagnetic disk 42 may be disposed within the second section 16 upstream of the rotor 32 between the second stator 38 and the rotor 32. The first disk 40 and the second disk 42 may be at least partially composed of a piezoelectric material, e.g., a piezoelectric ceramic, configured to vibrate in the presence of a voltage and/or current, generate an electrical potential, and/or a combination thereof. The first disk 40 and the second disk 42 may be composed entirely or at least partially of a piezoelectric ceramic by being coated with a piezoelectric material (coated) or having portions comprising a piezoelectric material. For example, in one configuration, the first disk 40 and/or the second disk 42 may define a plurality of regions 44 comprised of piezoelectric material separated by at least one non-piezoelectric region 46. The size of the non-piezoelectric region 46 may vary depending on the particular application. For example, as shown in fig. 4, the plurality of regions 44 is equal in size to the at least one piezoelectric region 46. Thus, only a portion of the first disk 40 and the second disk 42 may be piezoelectric. As shown in fig. 5, the plurality of areas 44 are sized to cover substantially all of each of the first disk 40 and the second disk 42. Any combination and size of piezoelectric regions 44 and non-piezoelectric regions 46 may encompass one or both of the disks 40 and 42.

Disk 40 and/or disk 42 and their associated plurality of zones 44 may be electrically coupled to a voltage source 48, the voltage source 48 configured to simultaneously and/or sequentially apply a potential to each of the plurality of zones 44 and induce a current in disk 40 and/or disk 42. The voltage source 48 may be the same voltage source configured to supply power to the first stator 36 and the second stator 38, or may be a separate voltage source. For example, conductors 41 and 43 may be separated for connection to multiple regions 44, or one or more separate conductors may connect the multiple regions 44 for providing a particular surface potential. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a positive potential indicated by a "+" sign is applied to the plurality of regions 44. The non-piezoelectric region 46 is indicated by "0" for representing a neutral charge. In other configurations, as shown in fig. 5, the piezoelectric region 44 may be negatively charged, or may alternate between positive and negative charges. In one configuration, application of the voltage potential causes the disks 40 and 42 to vibrate, generate an electrical potential, or both, which may have the effect of removing (disridge) any thrombus formed on the surfaces of the disks 40 and 42, respectively. A surface potential from voltage source 48 may be intermittently applied to each of disks 40 and 42 simultaneously or sequentially. For example, voltage source 48 may be programmed to apply a voltage at predetermined intervals (e.g., every 5 seconds, although any interval may be selected) and thereby deliver a current. The voltage source 48 may be further programmed for selectively applying a voltage to each of the plurality of regions 44 simultaneously or sequentially, thereby enabling a voltage potential to be applied to each region 44 independently of the other regions 44 or simultaneously with the other regions 44. Further, as shown in fig. 5, each region 44 may have the same or possibly opposite potential as the adjacent regions, or a greater surface potential than the adjacent regions. For example, one region 44 of one or both of the disks 40 and 42 may have a surface potential of a predetermined voltage, and the other region 44 may have a surface potential of one-half, two-times, three-times, etc. of the predetermined voltage. Thus, vibrating regions 44 or patterns of regions 44 of different strengths and different electrical potentials may be created for effectively cleaning thrombus from the surface of disk 40 and/or disk 42. Disk 40 and/or disk 42 may further exhibit a piezoelectric effect in that disk 40 and/or 42 may generate a surface potential in response to vibrating with applied mechanical stress. For example, based on thickness, size, and other material properties, the piezoelectric disks 40 and/or 42 may vibrate during operation of the pump, which results in the creation of a surface potential on the surface of the disks 40 and/or 42. The generated surface potential may be configured to drain thrombus (repel) away from the disc 40 and/or disc 42. The discs 40 and/or 42 may not be uniform in shape and thickness, and thus may exhibit different piezoelectric effects that may be utilized to effectively reduce thrombus. For example, certain areas 44 may generate a greater electrical potential than other areas, thereby creating a sweeping effect (sweepangeffect) for washing thrombus or other particles from the surface of the disc 40 and/or disc 42.

In one configuration, disk 40 and/or disk 42 may include a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device 50, the device 50 facing their respective stators 36 and 38 on a surface of disk 40 and/or disk 42, the device 50 configured to selectively apply a surface potential to disk 40 and/or disk 42 or receive an electrical charge from disk 40 and/or disk 42. For example, MEMS device 50 may be a sticker (packer) that is attached to disks 40 and/or disks 42, or alternatively may be attached to or etched into the surface of each disk 40 and/or 42. MEMS device 50 may be coupled to voltage source 48 and may further include a wireless transmitter and receiver (not shown), such that plurality of regions 44 may include an independently controllable array within each region 44. For example, as shown in fig. 4, MEMS device 50 defines a grid of independently controllable portions that can be activated in series, simultaneously, or in a predetermined pattern to cause a desired piezoelectric effect. MEMS device 50 may be disposed on a portion of disk 40 and/or disk 42 or encompass the entire disk 40 and/or disk 42.

While the embodiments above are described with respect to a dual stator system, it is contemplated that piezoelectric tubes may be used in the manner described herein in an axial flow pump having a single stator, such as described in U.S. patent No.8,007,254 and U.S. patent application publication No.2015/0051438a1 and sold in the name of HVAD by HeartWare, inc. For example, an axial flow pump (such as an MVAD) includes a non-piezoelectric ceramic tube within which an impeller rotates. The non-piezoelectric tube may include the piezoelectric properties described above in terms of the function or any combination of piezoelectric disks 40 and 42.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present embodiments are not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. Additionally, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. In view of the above teachings, many modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the following embodiments: