Arterial Shunt with Inline Filter and Flow Meter
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
During vascular surgery, particularly in carotid endarterectomy, existing shunts do not effectively prevent clot or plaque travel and lack real-time blood flow monitoring, which can lead to complications such as stroke.
Innovation Solution
A medical shunt with an inline filter to prevent impurities and a flow meter for real-time blood flow monitoring, featuring tubular elements, balloon elements for secure insertion, and a housing with flush and balloon inflation ports, providing a secure and monitored bypass during surgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional shunt is used to bypass blood flow during endarterectomy, then blood flow is maintained through the shunt, but clots or plaque can travel through the shunt causing complications
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is nested within the shunt body, with the filter housing integrated into the shunt structure. The filter elements are contained within the shunt's internal volume, allowing the filter function to be incorporated without significantly increasing the external dimensions or complexity of the shunt device.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter and shunt are merged into a single integrated device. The filter housing forms part of the shunt assembly, and the filter elements are positioned within the shunt's flow path, combining the functions of blood flow bypass and particulate filtration in one device.
2Loss of information
If no flow monitoring is provided in the shunt, then the device remains simple, but surgeons cannot detect occlusions or monitor blood flow in real-time
Solution Approach 1:
The flow sensor provides real-time feedback on blood flow conditions within the shunt. The sensor detects flow rate and occlusion status, and this information is transmitted to the external monitoring system, allowing surgeons to immediately detect and respond to flow problems during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical flow indicators are replaced with electronic flow sensors that provide more precise and reliable measurements. The electronic sensing system substitutes for simple mechanical indicators, enabling accurate real-time monitoring of blood flow conditions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If balloon elements are added to secure the shunt in the artery, then shunt stability is improved, but the device becomes more complex with additional inflation ports and components
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon elements are merged with the shunt structure, with the balloons integrated into the shunt body and the inflation system combined with the existing shunt components. This integration minimizes the increase in overall device complexity while achieving stable positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The shunt is designed with multi-functionality, combining blood flow bypass, filtration, flow monitoring, and secure positioning functions in a single device. The balloon elements serve both to secure the shunt and to seal the arterial wall, providing multiple benefits from a single component addition.
4Reliability
If an inline filter is incorporated in the shunt, then clot and plaque travel is prevented, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter elements are nested within the shunt housing, with the filter contained inside the shunt's internal volume. This nesting approach allows the filter to be manufactured and assembled as part of the shunt assembly, simplifying the manufacturing process compared to separate filter installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter utilizes porous material structures that can be manufactured using standard medical device fabrication techniques. The porous filter elements are designed to trap particulates while maintaining blood flow, and can be produced through established manufacturing processes for medical filters.
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
The shunt effectively prevents clot and plaque travel while ensuring continuous blood flow, providing real-time monitoring to ensure surgical safety and efficacy by maintaining blood flow and alerting surgeons to potential occlusions.
Implementation Method 1
an inline filter to prevent impurities
Implementation Method 2
a flow sensor disposed within the first, second, or third tubular element
Implementation Method 3
a flow meter comprising a digital optical or audible flow indicator in electrical communication with the flow sensor
Implementation Method 4
balloon elements for secure insertion
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed toward an arterial shunts for use during vascular surgery. Some embodiments are useful during an endarterectomy, and may be configured for use with specific arteries (e.g., carotid). Additional embodiments may be configured with a filter to prevent clots or plaque from traveling through the shunt, and with a flow meter to provide indication of how much or how little blood is actually passing through the shunt.