Circulatory Assistance Membrane for Pulsatile Blood Flow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current cardiopulmonary bypass systems using linear flow pumps cause blood trauma, hemolysis, and complications due to the absence of pulsatile flow, leading to inadequate blood pressure regulation and increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity in patients with refractory arterial hypertension.
Innovation Solution
Development of a membrane for artificial circulatory assistance chambers that provides pulsatile flow by varying its internal volume without distension or contraction, made from impermeable, flexible non-elastic material, to mimic the natural arterial pulse wave and reduce peripheral vascular resistance, thereby enhancing vascular distensibility and aortic capacitance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If linear flow pumps are used in cardiopulmonary bypass systems, then continuous blood flow is achieved, but blood trauma and hemolysis occur due to absence of pulsatile flow
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane varies its internal volume periodically to generate pulsatile flow patterns that mimic natural arterial pulse waves. This periodic volume variation creates rhythmic blood flow instead of continuous linear flow, reducing blood trauma and hemolysis while maintaining reliable blood circulation during cardiopulmonary bypass procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane changes its internal volume parameter dynamically without distension or contraction, allowing it to modulate blood flow characteristics. By varying the internal volume in a controlled manner, the system transforms continuous linear flow into pulsatile flow, eliminating blood trauma while preserving continuous flow reliability.
2Reliability
If membrane internal volume is varied to produce pulsatile flow, then blood pressure regulation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a flexible membrane made of impermeable, flexible non-elastic material that can vary its internal volume through controlled deformation. This flexible shell approach allows complex volume variations to be achieved with relatively simple structural components, improving blood pressure regulation without excessive device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane volume control is achieved through pneumatic or hydraulic actuation, which allows precise control of internal volume variation using fluid pressure. This approach enables sophisticated blood pressure regulation through simple pressure control mechanisms, avoiding complex mechanical systems.
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 membrane effectively dampens arterial pulse waves, stabilizes blood flow, reduces hemolysis, and minimizes blood pressure, thereby reducing the risk of complications such as stroke and acute myocardial infarction, and improving cardiac output in patients with refractory arterial hypertension.
Implementation Method 1
provides pulsatile flow by varying its internal volume without distension or contraction
Implementation Method 2
The membrane effectively dampens arterial pulse waves, stabilizes blood flow, reduces hemolysis, and minimizes blood pressure
Data Source
AI summary
Membranes are provided to be specially developed for use in chambers for artificial circulatory assistance which may be employed primarily in cardiovascular procedures, notably to produce arterial capacitance, to regulate blood pressure, to produce aortic counterpulsation and to pump blood. The membrane may have circular sections that may vary in size or not depending on the function to be performed and are interconnected so that the transition between one section and the other is smooth, regardless of the size of each section. Further, chambers and pumps may be used for cardiopulmonary bypass and a pumping system.