Customized Ventricular Support Device via 3D Printing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventricular support devices are not customized to fit individual hearts, leading to suboptimal pressure distribution and potential complications, and are often made of non-biodegradable materials that require removal after treatment.
Innovation Solution
A method involving imaging data to create a 3D heart model, mapping strain data onto the model to design a customized ventricular support device, and 3D printing using biodegradable materials to produce a device that provides tailored support based on the heart's specific needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If existing ventricular support devices are used, then they can provide general support to the heart, but they do not fit individual hearts leading to suboptimal pressure distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by creating a 3D model of the patient's heart using imaging data (CT or MRI) before device fabrication. This pre-modeling step captures the exact geometry and strain distribution of the individual heart, enabling subsequent customization of the support device to match the patient's specific anatomical requirements, thereby resolving the contradiction between customization fit and design complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by varying the mechanical properties of different regions of the ventricular support device based on location-specific strain estimates. The device is designed with region-dependent characteristics where each area provides support tailored to the local strain conditions of that particular heart region, optimizing pressure distribution while maintaining manageable design complexity through systematic regional differentiation
2Duration of action of stationary object
If non-biodegradable materials are used in ventricular support devices, then the devices provide durable support, but they require removal after treatment which increases complication risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from non-biodegradable to biodegradable materials for the ventricular support device. This material parameter change enables the device to degrade naturally over time within the body, eliminating the need for surgical removal and associated complications while providing sufficient durable support during the critical treatment period through controlled degradation timelines
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embodies the disposable principle by designing a ventricular support device intended for temporary use followed by natural degradation. The biodegradable device performs its support function during the critical recovery period and then safely decomposes in the body, avoiding the long-term presence and removal complications associated with permanent implants, effectively treating the device as a temporary therapeutic tool
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is a method of forming a ventricular support device for a diseased heart, including providing imaging data of the diseased heart, forming a three-dimensional (3D) heart model based on the imaging data, providing strain data including a plurality of strain estimates for at least one segment of the diseased heart, mapping the plurality of strain estimates onto corresponding portions of the 3D heart model to form a 3D diseased heart model, based on the 3D diseased heart model, forming a model of the ventricular support device configured to surround at least a portion of the diseased heart and provide support based upon said strain estimates, and converting the model of the ventricular support device to a digital file useful for directing a 3D printer device to print said ventricular support device for said diseased heart. Also provided is a customized ventricular support device so produced.