One-Piece Heart Prosthesis Actuator Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable heart prostheses face issues with high power consumption and space constraints due to synchronized operation of hydraulic actuators, leading to tissue inflammation and non-compliance with physiological diastole and systole durations.
Innovation Solution
A heart prosthesis with a main actuator between the hydraulic fluid chambers of both artificial ventricles and an auxiliary actuator between the driven ventricle and the fluid reservoir, allowing for controlled diastolic and systolic flow rates with opposite durations, reducing power consumption and bag displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If both actuators operate independently in synchronized way, then both ventricles can be respectively and simultaneously either in diastole or in systole, but the soft bag undergoes large displacements causing tissue inflammation and high power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coupling mechanism between the two actuators where the first actuator primarily drives the systolic phase while the second actuator manages the diastolic phase. This intermediary arrangement allows coordinated operation without requiring both actuators to operate independently at full power simultaneously, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining physiological functionality.
2Reliability
If both actuators operate independently in synchronized way, then both ventricles can be respectively and simultaneously either in diastole or in systole, but the soft bag undergoes large displacements causing tissue inflammation
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism acts as an intermediary that coordinates the operation of two actuators, allowing them to work in a complementary manner rather than independently. This reduces the amplitude of soft bag displacements by distributing the workload, thereby minimizing tissue inflammation while preserving the physiological operation of both ventricles.
3Use of energy by moving object
If one actuator is removed and ventricles operate in phase opposition, then space and power consumption are reduced, but diastole durations are necessarily equal to systole durations which does not enable physiology to be complied with
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cardiac cycle control into two distinct actuators: the first actuator primarily controls the systolic phase (ejection) while the second actuator controls the diastolic phase (filling). This segmentation allows each actuator to be optimized for its specific phase, enabling independent control of systole and diastole durations to match physiological requirements, while still achieving reduced power consumption compared to fully independent synchronized operation.
4Use of energy by moving object
If one actuator is removed and ventricles operate in phase opposition, then space and power consumption are reduced, but the risk of drawing the atria and failing to fill the ventricles or performing too slow ejection increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the control functions between two actuators, the system ensures reliable ventricle filling and ejection performance. The first actuator is dedicated to systolic ejection while the second handles diastolic filling, eliminating the risks associated with single-actuator phase opposition operation. This segmentation maintains physiological performance while achieving power savings through coordinated rather than fully independent operation.
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 reduces power consumption and bag displacement, enabling more efficient operation within the pericardial cavity while maintaining physiological flow rates, thus minimizing tissue inflammation and improving prosthesis accommodation.
Implementation Method 1
one of said actuators is a main one and is provided between the hydraulic fluid chambers of both artificial ventricles... the main actuator: transmits to said driving artificial ventricle diastolic and systolic flow rates having desired respective values
Implementation Method 2
the other of said actuators is a auxiliary one and is provided between the hydraulic fluid chamber of said driven artificial ventricle and said reservoir of hydraulic fluid... the auxiliary actuator transmits to said driven artificial ventricle correction systolic and diastolic flow rates
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an implantable one-piece heart prosthesis having a driving artificial ventricle and a driven artificial ventricle. A main actuator is configured to transmit to the driving artificial ventricle diastolic and systolic flow rates having desired respective values for the driving artificial ventricle. An auxiliary actuator is configured to transmit to the driven artificial ventricle correction systolic and diastolic flow rates that correct the systolic and diastolic flow rates transmitted by the main actuator to the driven artificial ventricle.