A miniature pump that can be used without surgical intervention and promotes blood circulation is designed to provide respite to chronically diseased hearts. A brushless DC motor creates the motion in the pump.
In Texas there is an exciting development for patients with chronic heart diseases: biological scientists have developed the first pump that promotes circulation. The pump can be inserted via catheter and is intended for long-term use.
Named Aortix by its developer Procyrion Inc., the system was developed to offer a treatment option for people with chronic heart disorders who cannot take medication because of their health. Two million people in the USA alone are affected by this condition. But the product is still in the testing phase. But in the near future cardiologists will be able to offer younger heart patients treatment to prevent further damage to the heart.
The intra-aortic pump supports the natural function of the heart and is a good alternative to large heart pumps that are implanted during surgical intervention and completely take over the heart’s functionality. Such operations are associated with risks that do not accompany the placement of Aortix. The 6-mm thick and 6.5-cm long pump can be inserted by a cardiologist through a catheter running through the femoral artery into the thoracic aorta. Once in place, the pump deploys automatically small anchors made of a nickel-titanium alloy that attach the pump to the wall of the aorta.
The system helps the heart by taking some of the blood and releasing it again as a jet through openings pointed downstream. The jet flows in the natural bloodstream while transferring some of its energy to the cardiovascular system. In this way, Aortix improves the supply of blood to vital organs like the kidneys. In one model for chronic heart failure, this system allowed the amount of energy the heart used to drop by about 39%. The pump is key in accelerating the rehabilitation and recovery process in heart patients.
Developing a motor for this demanding application took some time: Procyrion and Maxon Motor AG from Sachseln, Switzerland, spent more than two years working on the project. The design was based on a brushless motor type EC 6. The motor received a high-efficiency core, efficient enough to extend battery lifespan and reduce the build-up of heat.
Working in close cooperation, Maxon Motor and Procyrion also created a magnetic drive that envelopes the motor in a hermetically sealed capsule. This prevents blood from getting into the core of the motor. By the way, this same design is found in the large pumps used to extract crude oil. When applying this technology to heart pumps, engineers at Maxon gave advice to the Procyrion team and offered support, allowing both companies to benefit from their cross-industry experiences.
Each Aortix device is connected to a power cable that is fed through a tunnel to an output. Alternatively, it is possible to use a battery implant for wireless energy transmission transcutaneously (through the skin). Right now the device works for over 8 hours on its own battery. It is possible to replace the external battery and control unit during operation. The Procyrion team also developed a charging system for transcutaneous energy transmission. This system charges the battery through the skin. Its design reduces the risk of infection significantly.
Traditional devices replace the heart’s function entirely; their failure can have a fatal outcome. Since Aortix supports the heart’s activities without hindering the natural flow of blood, device failure is not a threat to the patient’s life. The device is also easy to replace.
Stefan Roschi Maxon Motor, Sachseln/Switzerland
Additional information about the motor manufacturer: www.maxonmotor.com On Twitter: @maxonmotor
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