Azygous Vein Shunt Device for Left Atrial Pressure Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current interatrial shunt devices face challenges such as susceptibility to occlusion due to pannus infiltration, increased risk of paradoxical embolism, and the need for long-term anti-thrombotic treatment, along with difficulties in safe retrieval and the requirement for large access sheaths for deployment.

Innovation Solution

An implantable shunting device configured to shunt blood from the left atrium to the azygous vein through an aperture in the atrial septal wall, which reduces the risk of right heart failure and paradoxical emboli, maintains luminal patency, and allows for delivery via a small access sheath with the option for full retrieval.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current interatrial shunt devices are used to shunt blood from left atrium to right atrium, then left atrial pressure is reduced, but the devices are susceptible to occlusion due to pannus infiltration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice patencyVSAvoidpannus infiltration occlusion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the shunt function from the traditional interatrial route and relocates it to the azygous vein system. The device creates a new blood flow pathway from the left atrium through the azygous vein to the superior vena cava, bypassing the problematic interatrial septum location where pannus infiltration occurs. This extraction of the shunt function to an alternative anatomical location resolves the occlusion issue while maintaining the therapeutic effect of reducing left atrial pressure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If current interatrial shunt devices are used, then blood flow is redirected, but the risk of paradoxical embolism increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood flow redistributionVSAvoidparadoxical embolism risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the shunt device from the interatrial septum location where it could facilitate paradoxical embolism, and relocates it to the azygous vein system. By extracting the shunt function to this alternative pathway, blood flow is still redistributed to reduce left atrial pressure, but the dangerous connection between left and right atria that enables paradoxical embolism is eliminated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If current interatrial shunt devices are deployed, then shunting function is achieved, but large access sheaths are required for deployment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshunting functionVSAvoidaccess sheath size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a nested delivery system where the shunt device is contained within a delivery catheter that can be introduced through a small access sheath. The device is delivered in a compressed, nested state through the small sheath, then deployed at the target location in the azygous vein. This nesting approach allows the shunt function to be achieved while avoiding the need for large access sheaths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Reliability

If current interatrial shunt devices are implanted, then left atrial pressure is reduced, but the devices cannot be safely retrieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure reduction effectVSAvoiddevice retrieval

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a retrievable design with dynamic components including expandable retention structures that can be controlled. The device includes retrieval features such as tethers or mechanisms that allow it to be collapsed and retrieved through the delivery catheter. This dynamic design maintains the therapeutic pressure reduction effect during implantation while enabling safe retrieval if needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

5Reliability

If current interatrial shunt devices are used, then shunting is achieved, but long-term anti-thrombotic treatment is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshunt functionVSAvoidanti-thrombotic treatment duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By extracting the shunt device from the interatrial septum location to the azygous vein system, the patent reduces the risk of thrombus formation and pannus infiltration that characterize traditional interatrial shunts. The alternative anatomical location has more favorable hemodynamics and less tissue reaction, allowing the shunt function to be maintained with reduced or eliminated long-term anti-thrombotic treatment requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS20250120720A1Shunting device

Publication Date: 2025.04.17 OHALLORAN TONY

AI summary

An implantable shunting device configured to shunt blood from the left atrium of the heart to the azygous vein through an aperture in the atrial septal wall is provided. The device comprises a flexible tube configured for radial adjustment between a contracted delivery configuration suitable for delivery in a delivery catheter and a deployed radially expanded configuration, the tube having a through lumen, a distal end configured to anchor within the azygous vein, and a proximal end configured to span an aperture in an atrial septal wall and anchor to the wall to provide fluid communication between the left atrium and the azygous vein. Methods of treating heart disease by implanting a shunting device of the invention are also disclosed.