External Venous Valve Apparatus for Occluding Retrograde Blood Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for venous-associated conditions like deep venous insufficiency (DVI) are invasive, costly, and carry risks of thrombosis and lifelong anti-coagulation, with limited clinical effectiveness, and existing solutions do not adequately address the issue of retrograde blood flow.
Innovation Solution
A valve apparatus is positioned externally on the veins, comprising sensors, controllers, and electromagnets that detect blood flow direction and occlude retrograde flow, reducing the risk of thrombosis and eliminating the need for anti-coagulation by controlling blood flow through the veins without invasive placement within the vein lumens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical options (valve placement within vein lumens) are used to treat deep venous insufficiency, then blood flow control is improved, but the risk of thrombosis increases and lifelong anti-coagulation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external magnetic field as an intermediary mechanism to control valve members positioned outside the vein lumen. The magnetic field acts as a mediator that transmits control signals to the valve members without requiring direct contact or invasion of the blood flow path, thereby achieving reliable blood flow control while eliminating the thrombosis risk associated with intra-luminal devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical valve placement within the vein lumen with an external magnetic actuation system. Instead of mechanically inserting valves into the blood flow path, the invention uses magnetic fields to actuate valve members positioned externally, substituting a potentially harmful mechanical invasion with a non-contact magnetic control mechanism
2Reliability
If invasive valve placement within vein lumens is performed, then retrograde blood flow is occluded, but the procedure becomes more complex and carries higher risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by positioning valve members outside the vein lumen rather than inside. This inversion allows the valve members to occlude retrograde flow effectively while being controlled from the external side using magnetic fields, thereby simplifying the surgical procedure and reducing the risks associated with intra-luminal manipulation
3Reliability
If compression garments are used as non-surgical treatment, then retrograde blood flow is controlled, but the treatment is cumbersome and decreases quality of life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service system where the valve members are automatically actuated by magnetic fields in response to detected blood flow conditions. The system monitors blood flow parameters and autonomously adjusts valve activation to control retrograde flow, eliminating the need for continuous patient intervention or wear of cumbersome compression garments while maintaining effective flow control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism that monitors blood flow characteristics and uses this information to control the activation of valve members. The system continuously detects flow conditions and adjusts valve actuation accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that effectively manages retrograde flow without requiring patient intervention or external compression devices
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 external valve apparatus effectively occludes retrograde blood flow, reducing swelling and chronic pain, and assists in pumping blood back to the heart, minimizing risks and complications associated with traditional surgical interventions.
Implementation Method 1
the valve member includes a ferromagnetic material and the apparatus includes an electromagnet positioned about the vein and configured to provide a magnetic field to attract the ferromagnetic material when activated
Implementation Method 2
configured to provide a magnetic field to attract the ferromagnetic material when activated
Data Source
AI summary
Valve apparatuses and methods are provided for controlling blood flow in a vein of an individual. One example valve apparatus includes at least one valve member configured to be positioned adjacent to an exterior surface of a vein of an individual and outside of a lumen of the vein, at least one sensor configured to be positioned adjacent to the exterior surface of the vein, and a controller configured to receive, from the at least one sensor, a signal representing one or more characteristics of blood flow through the lumen, determine a direction of the blood flow based on the one or more characteristics, and in response to the determined direction of the blood flow being away from a heart of the individual, activate the at least one valve member to occlude blood flow through the lumen away from the heart.