Dynamic Dual Chamber Breathing Prosthesis for Lung Hyper-Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lung prosthetics fail to mimic the dynamic changes in size and shape of native lung tissue during respiration, leading to hyper-expansion and ineffective prevention of perturbations in lung volumes, which exacerbates exertional dyspnea in patients with lung resection or emphysema.

Innovation Solution

A dual chamber breathing prosthesis with an elastic lung prosthetic and reservoir, connected by a tube, allowing fluid communication and dynamic size changes during inspiration and expiration phases to mimic real lung behavior and maintain optimal chest cavity occupancy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a static-sized lung prosthetic is implanted to occupy chest cavity space, then the prosthetic provides structural support, but it cannot mimic the dynamic changes in lung size and shape during respiration, leading to hyper-expansion of remaining lung tissue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoiddynamic size change capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lung prosthetic is designed with a flexible membrane structure that can dynamically change its volume and shape in response to pressure changes during respiration. The membrane expands during inspiration when chest cavity pressure decreases and contracts during expiration when pressure increases, allowing the prosthetic to adapt its size continuously throughout the respiratory cycle rather than remaining static.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The prosthetic employs a flexible membrane as its primary structural component. This thin film structure provides the necessary structural support while simultaneously allowing dynamic deformation. The membrane's flexibility enables it to expand and contract with chest cavity pressure changes, mimicking the behavior of native lung tissue without requiring complex mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Volume of stationary object

If a static lung prosthetic is used to fill the chest cavity, then space occupancy is maintained, but the prosthetic becomes too large during deep expiration when the chest cavity decreases in size, causing discomfort and potential harm

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechest cavity occupancyVSAvoidhyper-expansion and discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible membrane structure allows the prosthetic volume to dynamically adjust throughout the respiratory cycle. During deep expiration when the chest cavity decreases in size, the membrane contracts to reduce the prosthetic's volume, preventing it from becoming too large for the reduced space. This dynamic adaptation eliminates the harmful effects of a static prosthetic that would otherwise cause discomfort and hyper-expansion issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a pressure relieving area is added to allow fluid decompression, then safety during thoracic pressure changes is improved, but the prosthetic still cannot mimic normal lung size and shape changes during respiration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety during pressure changesVSAvoiddynamic size and shape mimicry

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible membrane structure inherently provides both pressure relief and dynamic size adaptation. As thoracic pressure changes during respiration, the membrane naturally expands or contracts to equalize pressure while simultaneously mimicking normal lung size and shape changes. This eliminates the need for separate pressure relieving areas while achieving both safety and adaptability functions through the membrane's physical properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 prosthesis effectively prevents lung hyper-expansion, restoring normal respiration and pulmonary function by dynamically adjusting size and shape in response to breathing cycles, thereby improving respiratory mechanics and reducing exertional dyspnea.

Implementation Method 1

whereby during the inspiration phase the elastic lung prosthetic increases in size and during the expiration phase the elastic lung prosthetic decreases in size

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

an elastic lung prosthetic capable of being implanted in a chest cavity of the patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10258457B1Dynamic dual chamber breathing prosthesis and methods

Publication Date: 2019.04.16 JWEIED GHASSAN E

AI summary

A dynamic dual chamber breathing prosthesis and methods are provided. The dual chamber breathing prosthesis can include an elastic lung prosthetic capable of being implanted in a chest cavity of a patient in place of an excized portion of lung, such as a lobe, and a reservoir capable of being implanted in the patient. A tube can be configured to be operatively arranged between the elastic lung prosthetic and the reservoir such that the elastic lung prosthetic is in fluid communication with the reservoir. As a breathing cycle including an inspiration phase and an expiration phase alternatingly occur during normal respiration, a fluid is capable of being dynamically transferred between the elastic lung prosthetic and the reservoir during each breathing cycle.