Atrial Assist Device Pumping Blood to Enhance Cardiac Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current therapies for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are inconclusive, and there is a need for a better understanding of its distinct pathophysiologic processes to develop novel therapeutic approaches, as existing treatments fail to reduce mortality effectively in this condition.
Innovation Solution
An atrial assist device (AAD) is positioned at the mitral valve to pump blood from the left atrium into the left ventricle, enhancing ventricular filling and reducing left atrial pressure, while modulating electrical current to synchronize with the cardiac cycle, thereby increasing cardiac output and promoting LV remodeling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional heart failure medications are used in HFpEF, then treatment is provided, but mortality reduction is not achieved and outcomes remain poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pharmacological treatment with a mechanical device (atrial assist device) that physically assists ventricular filling. The device uses a pump mechanism to actively transfer blood from the atrium to the ventricle, substituting the ineffective medication-based approach with direct mechanical intervention that addresses the core pathophysiology of HFpEF.
Solution Approach 2:
The atrial assist device is designed to work in conjunction with the patient's native heart, utilizing the atrium's contraction to drive blood flow through the device pump into the ventricle. The system leverages the heart's own physiological mechanisms rather than requiring external power sources or complex control systems, enabling the device to assist filling automatically during the cardiac cycle.
2Quantity of substance
If the ventricle is filled passively relying on high left atrial pressure, then filling occurs, but filling pressures become excessively high and diastolic function is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The atrial assist device pump acts as an intermediary between the atrium and ventricle, providing an active mechanical bridge that transfers blood without relying solely on high atrial pressure. The pump mechanism mediates the blood flow, reducing the pressure burden on the atrium while ensuring adequate ventricular filling.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs preliminary blood transfer from the atrium to the ventricle during diastole before the ventricle's natural filling cycle completes. By actively pumping blood into the ventricle in advance, the system reduces the subsequent pressure requirements for complete filling and alleviates the workload on the atrium.
3Productivity
If the ventricle is filled actively using a pump device, then filling is enhanced and cardiac output increases, but device complexity and surgical intervention requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pump device is designed to be driven by the atrium's natural contraction, eliminating the need for external power sources, motors, or complex control systems. The atrium's own mechanical action provides the driving force for blood transfer, significantly simplifying the device architecture while maintaining effective cardiac output enhancement.
Solution Approach 2:
The device extracts and utilizes only the essential functional component needed for blood transfer - a simple pump mechanism driven by atrial contraction. By removing unnecessary complexities such as external power systems, advanced controls, and monitoring apparatus, the design achieves effective filling assistance with minimal structural complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for treating a patient with a heart condition includes an atrial assist device (AAD) configured to be positioned in the patient's heart to pump blood from an atrium of the patient's heart into a ventricle associated with the atrium. The system also includes a controller operatively connected to the AAD and being configured to control the AAD to pump blood from the atrium of the patient's heart into the ventricle associated with the atrium.