Implantable Aortic Flow Restriction Device for Heart Failure

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Patients with heart failure and cardiovascular diseases face challenges with excess fluid buildup, leading to increased pressure on the heart, which existing treatments such as pharmaceuticals may not adequately address due to drug resistance, inaccurate dosing, or invasive procedures.

Innovation Solution

An implantable flow restriction device is configured to be placed within the aorta, adjusting its dimensions to induce stenosis of 40-80% distal to branch vessels, thereby altering blood flow into renal arteries to increase kidney perfusion and reduce fluid retention, while maintaining unrestricted blood flow proximal to the branch vessels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pharmaceutical treatments (diuretics, antihypertensive medications) are used to manage excess fluid buildup and blood pressure, then fluid removal and blood pressure control are improved, but patients experience drug resistance, inaccurate dosing, and poor compliance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment efficacyVSAvoidpatient compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the pharmaceutical chemical system with a mechanical implantable device that physically restricts blood flow in the aorta. This mechanical approach bypasses the issues of drug resistance and compliance by using a physical flow restriction mechanism rather than chemical pharmacological action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The implantable flow restriction device operates autonomously within the body without requiring patient action. Once implanted, the device self-regulates blood flow through the aorta to enhance renal perfusion and promote fluid excretion, eliminating the need for patient compliance with medication regimens.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Quantity of substance

If diuretics are used to remove excess fluid, then fluid buildup is reduced, but patients experience inaccurate dosing and drug resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid removalVSAvoiddosing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces pharmacological fluid removal with a mechanical hemodynamic approach. By restricting aortic blood flow, the device increases renal artery perfusion pressure, which mechanically drives increased urine production and fluid excretion without relying on drug dosing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The device creates a physiological feedback loop where increased renal perfusion pressure from the flow restriction automatically stimulates the kidneys to excrete more fluid, providing self-regulating fluid removal that adapts to the patient's physiological needs without requiring precise external dosing control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If implantable flow restriction device is used to enhance renal perfusion, then fluid removal and blood pressure control are improved, but the device requires complex dimensional adjustment to induce specific stenosis levels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverenal perfusion enhancementVSAvoiddimensional adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic, adjustable flow restriction device that can be dimensionally modified after implantation. The device includes mechanisms for changing the degree of aortic stenosis from 0% to 80% to optimize renal perfusion enhancement based on patient response and clinical needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device allows for parameter changes in the degree of flow restriction by adjusting dimensional characteristics such as the compression force or the diameter of the restricted segment. This enables clinicians to titrate the stenosis level to achieve optimal renal perfusion enhancement while minimizing adverse effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If flow restriction is induced in the aorta to increase renal blood flow, then kidney function is improved, but blood flow restriction in the aorta may affect other organs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekidney functionVSAvoidblood flow to other organs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies flow restriction at a specific location in the aorta (abdominal aorta) to create localized hemodynamic changes that preferentially increase renal artery perfusion. The device is positioned and sized to restrict flow in a manner that directs additional blood flow to the kidneys while maintaining adequate perfusion to other abdominal organs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The device allows for controlled parameter changes in the degree and distribution of flow restriction. By adjusting the stenosis level and positioning, clinicians can optimize the hemodynamic effect to enhance renal perfusion while monitoring and maintaining adequate blood flow to other organs, preventing harmful ischemic effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3573577B1Device for treatment and prevention of fluid overload in patients with heart failure
Publication Date: 2022.10.19 WL GORE & ASSOC INC
  • EP3573577B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3573577B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3573577B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems and methods that include arranging an implantable flow restriction device within the aorta of a patient. The methods may also include physical dimensions of the implantable flow restriction device.