Elastic Ventricular Support for Diastolic Dysfunction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for congestive heart failure and diastolic dysfunction often require extensive surgery or minimally invasive procedures that either fail to improve diastolic expansion of the left ventricle or compromise diastolic function in favor of preventing ventricular enlargement.
Innovation Solution
A percutaneously deployable elastic structure is introduced into the left ventricle, attaching to its walls and forming scar tissue bonds over time, enhancing diastolic expansion while limiting ventricular enlargement with minimal impact on systolic performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the heart is wrapped in an elastic net or rigid internal reinforcement to prevent ventricular enlargement, then systolic performance is improved, but diastolic function deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple independent elastic arms that can be deployed separately into the left ventricle. Each arm independently provides support to specific regions of the ventricular wall, allowing localized reinforcement without compromising overall diastolic expansion. This segmentation enables the system to strengthen the heart wall while preserving the ability to expand during diastole.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes elastic members that dynamically adapt to the changing volume and pressure conditions of the left ventricle. The elastic arms can flex and deform during systole to provide reinforcement, then relax during diastole to allow natural expansion. This dynamic behavior enables the device to provide systolic support without restricting diastolic filling.
2Stability of the object's composition
If extensive surgery is performed to change the shape of the left ventricle or wrap it in an elastic net, then ventricular enlargement is prevented, but surgical complexity and risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
A catheter serves as an intermediary device to deliver the elastic support structure into the left ventricle through percutaneous access. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for open surgical incisions and direct manual manipulation of the heart, reducing surgical complexity and patient risk while still achieving the goal of preventing ventricular enlargement through the deployed elastic arms.
Solution Approach 2:
The device replaces complex surgical mechanical systems (requiring open chest surgery, direct heart manipulation, and extensive suturing) with a percutaneous catheter-based delivery system. The elastic arms are deployed through the catheter and secured using simple engagement mechanisms, substituting complex surgical procedures with a minimally invasive mechanical insertion process.
3Strength
If rigid internal reinforcement is introduced via catheter to strengthen the heart wall, then ventricular wall strength is improved, but diastolic expansion is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs flexible elastic members rather than rigid reinforcement structures. These elastic arms can be compressed during systole to provide wall strength, then expand during diastole to accommodate ventricular filling. The flexibility of the elastic members allows them to function as both reinforcement and expansion assistance, unlike rigid structures that would compromise diastolic volume.
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 assists diastolic function and prevents ventricular enlargement in a single percutaneous procedure, improving heart filling capacity and reducing the effects of congestive heart failure without significantly affecting systolic performance.
Implementation Method 1
An elastic structure is introduced percutaneously into the left ventricle and attached to the walls of the ventricle. The structure helps the ventricle expand and fill with blood during the diastolic period
Implementation Method 2
The structure also strengthens the ventricular walls and limits the effects of congestive heart failure, as the maximum expansion of the support structure is limited by flexible or elastic members
Implementation Method 3
Over time the structure bonds firmly to the walls via scar tissue formation
Data Source
AI summary
An elastic structure is introduced percutaneously into the left ventricle and attached to the walls of the ventricle. Over time the structure bonds firmly to the walls via scar tissue formation. The structure helps the ventricle expand and fill with blood during the diastolic period while having little affect on systolic performance. The structure also strengthens the ventricular walls and limits the effects of congestive heart failure, as the maximum expansion of the support structure is limited by flexible or elastic members.