Deformable Sphere Tube Structure for Passive Blood Pressure Limiting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional arterial implants lack a mechanism to limit blood pressure, necessitating a device that can respond to fluid pressure and be tailored for optimal flow control.

Innovation Solution

A tubular device with deformable, compressible structures on its internal surface that change shape in response to pressure changes, limiting fluid pressure to a critical threshold by buckling and expanding based on material properties and geometry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional arterial implants are used, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot limit blood pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood pressure controlVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The internal surface of the tube is segmented into multiple discrete compressible structures (spheres) rather than using a continuous material. Each sphere acts as an independent pressure-limiting element, allowing the device to maintain simplicity while achieving reliable blood pressure control through the collective behavior of multiple simple units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The compressible structures utilize flexible external shells that can deform elastically in response to pressure changes. These thin-walled spherical shells buckle at specific pressure thresholds, providing automatic pressure limitation without complex control mechanisms, thus improving reliability while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If compressible structures are added to the tube, then the device can respond to pressure changes, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure response capabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The compressible structures are designed to automatically respond to pressure changes through their inherent mechanical properties. The spheres buckle and expand based on their material characteristics and geometry without requiring external control systems, sensors, or power sources. This self-service mechanism provides adaptability to varying physiological conditions while avoiding the complexity of active control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The device achieves pressure response capability by utilizing changes in the physical state and geometry of the compressible structures. The spheres transition between different deformation states (undeformed, buckled, expanded) based on pressure parameters, allowing the device to adapt to different blood pressure conditions through passive mechanical parameter changes rather than active control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stress or pressure

If the external shell is made more deformable, then the pressure threshold can be lowered, but the structural strength decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure thresholdVSAvoidshell strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The use of spherical geometry for the compressible structures provides an optimal balance between deformability and strength. The curved surface of the spheres distributes stress evenly, allowing the shells to be sufficiently deformable to buckle at low pressure thresholds while maintaining enough structural integrity to withstand physiological conditions. The spherical shape is inherently more efficient at withstanding pressure than flat or angular geometries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The external shells are constructed from composite materials that combine the necessary deformability for low pressure threshold buckling with sufficient strength for structural integrity. The composite structure allows tailoring of mechanical properties to achieve the desired balance between softness for pressure sensitivity and strength for durability in the physiological environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 effectively maintains fluid pressure within healthy limits by buckling and expanding in response to changes, ensuring stable fluid flow and compatibility with varying physiological conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The external shell is deformable between a first original shape and a second deformed shape in response to a pressure increase in the hollow interior of the tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuckling:

Implementation Method 2

The external shell is deformable based on a pressure change between a first threshold pressure and a second threshold pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20250360008A1Device with Deformable Spheres

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 PRESIDENT & FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE

AI summary

A device includes a tube extending between a first end and a second end. The tube forms a rigid structure having an internal surface that defines a hollow interior area of the tube. One or more compressible structures are seeded on and extend into the hollow interior of the tube from the internal surface. The one or more compressible structures allow a flow path through the hollow interior area.