Totally Implantable Artificial Heart Autonomy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ventricular assist devices (VADs) for heart failure are prone to complications such as infection, bleeding, and stroke due to external cables and excessive anticoagulation requirements, limiting their effectiveness in long-term use and patient safety.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained, totally implantable blood pump with a built-in microcontroller that autonomously adjusts to hemodynamic changes, body activity, and posture, eliminating the need for external cables and using an implantable, transcutaneously rechargeable battery, and featuring tri-leaflet valves and sensors for precise blood flow control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external cables and batteries are used to power VADs, then the device can provide continuous circulatory support, but the risk of infection increases due to skin penetration sites
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the external power source and control system from the VAD configuration. The artificial heart is completely implanted within the body cavity, eliminating the need for external cables penetrating the skin. This extraction of the harmful external connection while retaining the life-sustaining function directly addresses the infection risk contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates the power source, control electronics, and pump mechanism into a single self-contained implanted unit. The microcontroller, battery, and artificial heart chambers are nested within each other in a compact configuration, allowing continuous operation without external connections while eliminating infection pathways.
2Adaptability or versatility
If external control systems are used for VADs, then the device can be monitored and adjusted, but the complexity of the system increases with external components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control system, power source, and pump function into a single integrated implanted device. The microcontroller is housed within the artificial heart unit itself, eliminating the need for separate external control systems. This merging reduces the number of discrete components and interfaces while maintaining full adaptability for hemodynamic monitoring and adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The implanted microcontroller performs multiple functions: monitoring hemodynamic parameters, controlling pump operation, adjusting flow rates, and communicating with external devices when needed. This multi-functional integration eliminates the need for separate specialized components for each function, reducing overall system complexity while preserving adaptability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If anticoagulation therapy is used with VADs, then the risk of stroke is reduced, but the risk of bleeding increases
Solution Approach 1:
The artificial heart design incorporates features that reduce thrombogenicity through optimized chamber geometry and flow patterns. The ventricular assist device is designed to minimize blood stasis and turbulence, reducing the formation of thrombi without requiring aggressive anticoagulation therapy. This self-service approach to preventing clotting reduces the need for high-dose anticoagulants and their associated bleeding risks.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the disclosed technology are directed to a self-contained, totally implantable blood pump that replaces the whole heart. It is a small spherical device that encloses all of its blood propulsion dynamics. The dynamics are controlled by a built-in microcontroller that regulates the speed of the motor in response to hemodynamic changes like blood pressure fluctuations, level of body activity, and/or posture. The hemodynamic changes are detected using a plurality of sensors disposed around the body. An implantable transcutaneously rechargeable battery provides power to the microcontroller, motor and/or sensors.