Compliant Body Implant Reduces Pulmonary Pulsatile Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pulmonary arterial hypertension leads to increased pulsatile load on the right ventricle due to low compliance in pulmonary arteries, which is not effectively addressed by current therapies that primarily target steady state load.
Innovation Solution
A device with a compliant body implanted in the pulmonary artery, connected to a reservoir via a transvascular conduit, allowing gas to equalize pressure and increase vascular compliance, thereby reducing pulsatile load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a compliant body is implanted in the pulmonary artery, then pulsatile load is reduced and right ventricular workload decreases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple components: a compliant body portion implanted in the pulmonary artery to reduce pulsatile load, a reservoir positioned in the right ventricle to store blood, and a valve mechanism to control unidirectional flow. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, reducing overall ventricular workload while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The compliant body is positioned within the pulmonary artery lumen, the valve mechanism is contained within the compliant body structure, and the reservoir is implanted in the right ventricular chamber. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional elements to coexist in a compact configuration, reducing the spatial requirements and simplifying the overall device architecture while still achieving the therapeutic effect of load reduction.
2Stress or pressure
If current therapies targeting steady state load are used, then steady state pressure is reduced, but pulsatile load remains high and is not effectively addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The compliant body device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a compliance chamber to reduce pulsatile pressure waves, serves as a flow redirector to decrease afterload on the right ventricle, and functions as a mechanical assist device to reduce both steady state and pulsatile components of pulmonary arterial pressure. This multi-functionality addresses both steady state and pulsatile load components that single-mechanism therapies cannot effectively treat.
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 device decreases peak pressure in the pulmonary artery, reduces right ventricular workload, and improves elastance coupling, leading to increased energetic efficiency and delayed progression of right heart failure.
Implementation Method 1
The compliant body consists of a flexible membrane surrounding a compressible gas or other suitable fluid. With each stroke of the heart, the compliant body compresses to accommodate the stroke volume.
Implementation Method 2
Vascular compliance is a measure of the elastic properties of a vessel and is defined as the change in volume in a vessel in response to a change in pressure (ΔV/ΔP).
Implementation Method 3
The internal cavities of the components are fluidly coupled to one another, allowing gas to move and pressure to equalize between the components.
Implementation Method 4
The reservoir, transvascular conduit, and compliant body are fluidly coupled to one another, allowing gas to move and pressure to equalize between the components.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for reducing pressure within a lumen includes a reservoir structured for holding a fluid therein, an injection port in fluid communication with the reservoir, a compliant body structured to expand and contract upon changes in pressure, and a conduit extending between and fluidly coupling the reservoir and the compliant body. The fluid may be a compressible or a noncompressible fluid.