Duodenal Flow Reduction Device with Variable Porosity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices and methods fail to effectively prolong lipid presence and nutrient contact in the duodenum, which is crucial for appetite regulation and glucose homeostasis, as they do not adequately delay ingesta passage or provide sustained release of lipids.
Innovation Solution
A device with a spine and flow reduction elements of varying porosity is implanted in the duodenum, allowing lipid-rich nutrients to be retained for extended periods by controlling the flow of ingesta, using lipid-philic materials to attract and hold lipids, and adjusting porosity to impede or permit flow, thereby enhancing hormonal regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If current devices are used to deliver nutrients in the duodenum, then the device structure is simple, but the lipid presence time is insufficient and nutrient contact is not prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the flow reduction element into multiple segments with different porosity zones along its length. Each segment controls flow characteristics differently, allowing prolonged retention of lipids in the duodenum while maintaining a manageable device structure that can be deployed from a delivery catheter.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow reduction element incorporates zones with varying porosity along its length, creating local differences in flow resistance. The proximal portion has higher porosity to allow initial flow, while distal portions have lower porosity to trap and prolong lipid presence, achieving extended nutrient contact without requiring a completely complex device architecture.
2Manufacturing precision
If flow reduction elements with uniform porosity are used, then the device is easier to manufacture, but the flow control precision is insufficient for effective lipid retention
Solution Approach 1:
The flow reduction element is constructed with varying porosity along its length, with the proximal portion having higher porosity and distal portions having progressively lower porosity. This gradient structure provides precise flow control to trap lipids effectively while using a single continuous element that can be manufactured as one piece, balancing manufacturing feasibility with flow control precision.
3Loss of time
If the flow reduction element allows free flow of ingesta, then the device complexity is low, but the nutrient contact time with duodenal tissue is insufficient for hormonal regulation
Solution Approach 1:
The flow reduction element is divided into multiple functional zones along its length, with each zone providing progressively greater flow resistance. This segmentation creates a gradient that slows ingesta flow step-by-step, maximizing nutrient contact time with duodenal tissue while maintaining a structured yet deployable device design.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow reduction element is designed to be compressed during delivery and then expand to its full form in the duodenum. This dynamic transformation allows the device to transition from a low-profile delivery state to an expanded flow-control state, providing complex flow management functionality without requiring a permanently complex device structure.
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 prolongs nutrient release and provides a sustained presence of lipids in the duodenum, increasing hormonal regulation and satiety, effectively addressing the need for prolonged lipid residence time and delayed passage.
Implementation Method 1
a flow reduction element having variable porosity along its length
Implementation Method 2
using lipid-philic materials to attract and hold lipids
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods described include a flow reduction device adapted and configured for use within the duodenum of a mammal having a spine, a first atraumatic feature, a second atraumatic feature, and a flow reduction element having a proximal end, a distal end, an interior portion, an exterior portion and a variable porosity between the proximal end and the distal end. One aspect of the device includes a spine having a proximal end and a distal end, an atraumatic feature positioned on at least one of the proximal end and the distal end of the spine, and a flow reduction element positioned along the spine and having a variable porosity along its length.