Heart Chamber Partitioning Device for Myocardial Rupture Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for myocardial rupture and incipient rupture in the heart, such as myocardial infarction leading to pericardial tamponade or ventricular septal defects, are invasive, risky, and often ineffective in restoring normal cardiac function, particularly in hemodynamically unstable patients.
Innovation Solution
A partitioning device with a reinforced membrane and radially expandable frame is deployed within the heart to separate the affected chamber into a productive and non-productive portion, using a flexible membrane and tissue-penetrating ribs to secure the device and improve diastolic function by reducing stress on weakened heart tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical therapies such as pericardial centesis or surgical creation of a pericardial window are performed, then cardiac tamponade can be treated, but the procedures are highly invasive, risky and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The heart chamber is partitioned into a first chamber and a second chamber using a partitioning device. This segmentation isolates the affected region (e.g., ruptured myocardium or pseudoaneurysm) from the healthy chamber, allowing targeted treatment while preserving normal cardiac function. The partition creates separate compartments that can be independently managed, reducing the need for extensive surgical intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The partitioning device is deployed within the existing heart chamber structure, nesting a new functional element inside the natural anatomy. The device includes a first portion positioned in the first chamber and a second portion in the second chamber, with a partitioning element connecting them, effectively placing a treatment structure within the existing cardiac geometry without requiring external surgical access.
2Productivity
If mechanical assist devices such as left ventricular assist devices are used, then cardiac output can be improved, but the devices are complex and typically used only as temporary measures
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using a complex mechanical pump to assist the entire heart, the invention segments the heart chamber to isolate the dysfunctional region. This allows the healthy portion of the heart to continue pumping naturally, maintaining cardiac output without requiring external mechanical assistance. The partitioning approach preserves native cardiac function while addressing the specific pathology.
Solution Approach 2:
The partitioning device enables the heart to self-manage the pathology by creating a physical barrier that prevents blood from the ruptured or dysfunctional region from compromising overall cardiac function. The healthy chamber continues to perform its pumping function autonomously, effectively self-correcting the hemodynamic compromise without external mechanical support.
3Reliability
If the heart chamber is partitioned to isolate the affected region, then stress on weakened tissue is reduced and ejection fraction improves, but the device must be securely anchored to prevent migration
Solution Approach 1:
The partitioning device employs anchoring elements with specific local properties - barbed portions that engage the endocardial surface and flared portions that provide stable positioning. These localized structural features are designed to interact with specific anatomical landmarks (endocardial surface irregularities) to secure the device without requiring complex anchoring mechanisms throughout the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The flared portion of the anchoring elements utilizes a curved, flared geometry that naturally engages with the endocardial surface. This curved configuration provides mechanical interlocking through geometric complementarity between the device shape and the cardiac chamber contour, achieving stable anchoring through shape-based engagement rather than complex mechanical fastening systems.
Data Source
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Figure 2A~2C
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AI summary
A method and device for the treatment of a patient with heart disease and particularly a heart chamber having a myocardial rupture or characteristics of an incipient myocardial rupture. The heart chamber is partitioned so as to isolate a non-productive portion having a rupture or a region of an incipient rupture from a productive portion. The heart chamber is preferably partitioned with a reinforced membrane which has a pressure receiving surface that defines part of the productive portion of the heart chamber. The peripheral base of the reinforced membrane may have an eccentric configuration.