Micro-motor actuated therapeutic device

What is this patent about?

'609 is related to the field of in vivo mechanical energy sources, specifically miniaturized motors for use in percutaneous transluminal devices like catheters. The background involves treatments like angioplasty where catheters are used to open obstructions in blood vessels. Existing methods rely on external motors connected via long drive shafts, which suffer from significant energy loss and compromise catheter flexibility. There is a need for a compact, powerful energy source located close to the work site within the body.

The underlying idea behind '609 is to integrate a miniaturized motor directly at the distal end of a catheter to provide mechanical energy for various medical devices. This eliminates the need for a long, inefficient drive shaft. The motor is designed to be small enough to fit inside a blood vessel while still generating sufficient power to drive devices like perfusion pumps or atherectomy tools.

The claims of '609 focus on a system comprising a miniaturized mechanical energy source (micromotor) and a load (e.g., a perfusion pump) housed within a percutaneous transluminal device (e.g., a catheter). The micromotor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy to power the load. The system includes conductors for carrying current to the motor and driving electronics for controlling the motor's operation, potentially based on feedback from a position sensor.

In practice, the micromotor uses a reciprocating magnet driven by proximal and distal coils. A position sensor detects the magnet's location and adjusts the current to the coils, ensuring the motor stays in phase even under varying loads. The coils are connected in series to ensure alternating attraction and repulsion of the magnet. This linear configuration optimizes coupling between the coils and magnet, allowing it to fit within a catheter.

This design differs from prior approaches by placing the energy source directly at the point of use, avoiding the power losses associated with long drive shafts. The use of a position sensor to control the driving current allows the motor to adapt to varying loads, improving efficiency and reliability. The linear configuration and miniaturization enable the integration of a powerful mechanical energy source into a standard catheter, facilitating a range of in vivo medical procedures. The direct coupling of the motor to the load is a key differentiator.