Implantable Cardiac Assist Casing With Annular Compression Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circulatory support devices for heart failure are bulky, difficult to implant, have limited effectiveness, and require external components that increase infection risk, while not adequately supporting the heart's natural diastolic and systolic functions, leading to complications and limited accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A cardiac muscle assist device with an implantable envelope and actuation organs that mimic the heart's natural movements, providing active support by varying volume between diastolic and systolic states, synchronized with heart activity, and using electromagnetic or piezoelectric actuators for precise muscle assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If circulatory support devices are implanted to assist heart function, then cardiac output is improved, but device bulk and implantation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The assist device is segmented into multiple independent compression elements arranged circumferentially around the heart. Each element can be controlled independently or in coordinated sequences, allowing the overall device to assist cardiac function while maintaining a less bulky configuration compared to a single large mechanical pump.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression elements are designed to be nested or closely integrated around the cardiac muscle, with each element positioned to contact the heart surface. This nested arrangement allows the device to envelop the heart efficiently, providing support without requiring excessive external space or bulk.
2Reliability
If external components are used for circulatory support, then device functionality is achieved, but infection risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful external components (power sources, controllers, cables) are extracted from the implantable device and replaced with miniaturized integrated components. The device uses miniaturized power sources and controllers that are implanted within the patient's body, eliminating the need for external cables that pass through the skin and create infection pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates self-contained power sources and control systems that operate autonomously within the implant. The system monitors and adjusts compression timing and force based on intrinsic cardiac signals, eliminating the need for external control connections that would compromise the skin barrier and increase infection risk.
3Ease of operation
If compression systems are made compact for easier implantation, then implantability is improved, but effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple compact compression elements that can be individually implanted or positioned around the heart. This segmentation allows each element to be small enough for minimally invasive implantation while the collective arrangement of multiple elements provides sufficient compression force and coverage to maintain effective cardiac support.
Solution Approach 2:
Each compression element is designed with localized contact surfaces and force application points optimized for specific regions of the heart. The elements can be positioned to provide targeted compression where most needed, ensuring that compact sizing does not compromise the local effectiveness of cardiac assistance.
4Productivity
If artificial heart replacement or turbine implantation is performed, then cardiac output is restored, but clot formation and embolic events increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using foreign surfaces that promote clot formation, the device uses controlled mechanical compression of the cardiac muscle to enhance natural blood flow patterns. The compression and relaxation cycles create beneficial flow disturbances that prevent stasis and reduce clot formation risk, converting the mechanical interaction into a protective effect against thrombosis.
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 device offers reduced bulk, improved implantability, enhanced support of heart muscle movements, and reduces complications by mimicking natural heart functions, thus improving cardiac output and patient quality of life.
Implementation Method 1
using electromagnetic or piezoelectric actuators for precise muscle assistance
Implementation Method 2
using electromagnetic or piezoelectric actuators for precise muscle assistance
Data Source
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AI summary
A cardiac muscle assistance device (10) for a living being, comprising: - an implantable casing (11) having a casing axis (12) and having a plurality of annular actuation elements (16) around the casing axis (12), each actuation element (16) having a contact surface (25) configured to be placed in contact with at least a portion of an external surface (5) of the cardiac muscle (1), and - a control system (35) comprising at least one actuator (36) configured to move the actuation elements (16) along the casing axis (12) such that the casing (11) has a deployed state in which the actuation elements (16) are separated from each other and the contact surfaces (25) delimit a diastolic volume of the cardiac muscle,and a retracted state in which the actuation organs (16) are brought close together and the contact surfaces (25) delimit a systolic volume of the cardiac muscle (1).