Aortic Occlusion Device Embolic Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cardiac procedures requiring open-chest access are associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and complications, particularly due to the risk of emboli release during aortic cross-clamping, which can lead to strokes and other serious consequences.
Innovation Solution
The development of aortic occlusion devices with radially expandable and collapsible portions, including annular self-expanding stents or frames, that secure within the aorta to restrict blood flow and filter emboli, allowing for cardiopulmonary bypass without open-chest access, using a catheter and porous covering to filter emboli and a one-way valve to prevent retrograde blood flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If open-chest access (median sternotomy or lateral thoracotomy) is used for cardiac procedures, then the heart and aorta are readily accessible for surgery, but the patient suffers from significant morbidity, mortality, pain, and trauma
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (aortic occlusion device with filter) that mediates between the need for aortic access and the risk of emboli release. The device provides a controlled interface for delivering cardioplegia and filtering emboli, eliminating the need for direct surgical access to the aorta while maintaining surgical capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical open-chest surgical approach with an endovascular device-based system. Instead of physically opening the chest and directly clamping the aorta, the system uses a catheter-delivered occlusion device that achieves similar functional results through minimally invasive means
2Ease of operation
If external cross-clamp is applied to the aorta for cardiopulmonary bypass, then the heart can be isolated for surgery, but emboli may be released into the brachiocephalic, carotid or subclavian arteries causing strokes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of emboli release into a beneficial filtering function. The device includes a filter positioned in the aortic arch that captures emboli that would otherwise be released into the carotid and subclavian arteries, transforming the potential harm into a protective function
Solution Approach 2:
The filter component acts as an intermediary between the aortic occlusion site and the cerebral arteries. It intercepts emboli before they can enter the brachiocephalic, carotid, or subclavian arteries, providing a protective barrier while allowing controlled delivery of cardioplegia
3Ease of operation
If traditional open-chest surgery is performed, then complete access to the heart is achieved, but weeks of hospitalization and months of recuperation are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traumatic mechanical open-chest approach with a minimally invasive endovascular system, resulting in significantly reduced hospitalization and recuperation time while maintaining the ability to perform necessary cardiac procedures
4Reliability
If aortic occlusion device with filter is used for minimally invasive procedure, then emboli are filtered and hospitalization time is reduced, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated device: the occlusion function (to isolate the heart), the filtering function (to capture emboli), and the delivery system (catheter). This consolidation achieves the therapeutic goals while managing complexity through functional integration
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables minimally invasive cardiac procedures by isolating the heart, reducing the risk of emboli and complications associated with traditional open-chest surgeries, facilitating safer cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegic arrest.
Implementation Method 1
a porous covering, or filter, positioned around the catheter and between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion and configured to filter emboli from blood flowing into upper-body arteries
Implementation Method 2
a one-way valve positioned at or adjacent to the distal end portion of the device and configured to restrict retrograde blood flow through the device toward the heart
Implementation Method 3
radially expandable and collapsible proximal and distal end portions, such as annular self-expanding stents or frames, that are configured to radially expand within an aorta to secure the device within the aorta
Data Source
AI summary
Aortic occlusion and embolic protection devices include radially expandable and collapsible proximal and distal end portions, such as annular self-expanding stents or frames, that are configured to radially expand within an aorta to secure the device within the aorta. The devices can also include a catheter extending axially between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion and a porous covering, or filter, positioned around the catheter and between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion and configured to filter emboli from blood flowing into upper-body arteries. The device can further include a one-way valve positioned at or adjacent to the distal end portion of the device and configured to restrict retrograde blood flow through the device toward the heart.