Compliant Pulmonary Artery Device Ovalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure primarily focus on reducing pulmonary vascular resistance but fail to effectively address decreased pulmonary arterial compliance, which is a significant contributor to right ventricular after-load and heart failure.
Innovation Solution
Implantable compliant devices are introduced to increase the volumetric compliance of the pulmonary arterial vasculature by ovalizing the pulmonary artery trunk and branches, featuring adjustable elongate elements and anchoring mechanisms to reduce the right ventricular after-load, with configurations that adapt to hydraulic pressure changes during the cardiac cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If compliant elements are implanted to increase pulmonary arterial compliance, then right ventricular after-load is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pulmonary artery is divided into multiple segments (pulmonary arterial trunk, left pulmonary artery, right pulmonary artery), with separate compliant elements implanted in each segment. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of compliance in different regions, improving overall treatment effectiveness while managing device complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The compliant elements are designed to be dynamically adjustable after implantation, allowing clinicians to modify the degree of ovalization and compliance enhancement based on patient response. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by enabling precise control of the therapeutic effect without requiring an overly complex fixed-structure device
2Reliability
If elongate elements push outward on pulmonary artery walls to ovalize the artery, then cross-sectional area changes improve compliance, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device utilizes changes in geometric parameters (from circular to oval cross-section) to achieve the therapeutic effect. By systematically varying the ovalization parameters (major axis, minor axis, orientation) in a controlled manner, the device achieves reliable compliance enhancement while managing manufacturing precision through standardized parameter sets rather than requiring ultra-precise custom geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The device intentionally creates asymmetric ovalization of the pulmonary artery cross-section, with different dimensions in orthogonal directions. This asymmetric geometry is deliberately designed and manufactured to specific tolerances, transforming a potential precision challenge into a controlled design feature that achieves the desired compliance enhancement
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device is configured to unwind or relax in response to hydraulic pressure changes, then adaptability to cardiac cycle improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compliant elements are designed to automatically unwind or relax in response to hydraulic pressure changes during the cardiac cycle, without requiring external control mechanisms. The device self-regulates its mechanical response based on the natural pressure variations, achieving adaptability through passive mechanical properties rather than active control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The device exploits changes in mechanical parameters (torsional stress, curvature) in response to hydraulic pressure changes. As pressure varies during the cardiac cycle, the device naturally transitions between wound and relaxed states, with the mechanical parameters changing in a controlled manner that achieves adaptability without complex control mechanisms
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 solution effectively increases pulmonary arterial compliance, reducing the right ventricular after-load and improving heart function by adjusting the cross-sectional area of the pulmonary arteries in response to systolic and diastolic pressures, thereby treating pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure.
Implementation Method 1
The stent like device is configured to generate significant torque on the pulmonary artery. The torsional force generated by the compliant device may be sufficient to reduce the internal diameter of the pulmonary artery trunk, left pulmonary artery, and/or right pulmonary artery.
Implementation Method 2
The device may be further configured to unwind or relax in response to changes in hydraulic pressure inside the pulmonary artery. The torsional action of the device may be configured to allow the internal diameter of the pulmonary artery to expand temporarily during systole and then return to its reduced volume in diastole.
Implementation Method 3
The device may be further configured to unwind or relax in response to changes in hydraulic pressure inside the pulmonary artery
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for treating heart disease by increasing the pulmonary vascular compliance and thereby decreasing the right ventricular afterload are disclosed. Devices may include a means for reducing the cross-sectional area of the pulmonary artery during diastole and allowing the cross-sectional area to increase during systole.