Implantable Flow Restrictor Control for Chronic Diuresis Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nonpharmacological therapies for heart failure, such as reducing volume overload and preload, lack chronic controllability and adjustability, and systemic diuretics significantly impact patient quality of life.
Innovation Solution
Implantable flow restriction systems with controllers and actuators that can occlude or divert blood flow controllably and selectively within the vasculature, allowing for partial or full occlusion of vessels, and include microcontrollers, actuators, and power sources for precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current nonpharmacological therapies are used to reduce volume overload and preload, then heart function can be improved, but the therapies lack chronic controllability and adjustability
Solution Approach 1:
The flow restrictor device is designed to be dynamically adjustable between different occlusion states (fully open, partially occluded, fully occluded) through an actuation mechanism that can be controlled chronically. This allows the device to adapt to changing patient needs and provides long-term controllability without pharmacological intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the flow restriction parameter of the blood vessel by varying the occlusion level. By adjusting the degree of vessel occlusion, the system can control blood flow dynamics, renal congestion, and diuresis to different extents, providing both reliability and adaptability.
2Ease of operation
If systemic diuretics are applied to control diuresis, then diuresis can be controlled, but patient quality of life is significantly affected
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the diuresis control mechanism from systemic pharmacological intervention and relocates it to a localized mechanical flow restriction device. By placing the flow restrictor in the blood vessel, the system achieves diuresis control through physical flow management rather than systemic drug administration, thereby improving patient quality of life while maintaining reliable control.
3Reliability
If an implantable flow restriction system is implemented, then chronic control of blood flow is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic control systems with a simpler mechanical actuation mechanism. The actuator uses mechanical means to adjust the flow restrictor position, reducing the need for complex electronics, power sources, and control circuitry while still achieving chronic controllability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control member acts as an intermediary element that transmits actuation force from the actuator to the flow restrictor. This intermediate mechanical linkage simplifies the overall system architecture by providing a direct mechanical transmission path without requiring complex electronic actuators or control systems.
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
Provides chronic control of diuresis without systemic drugs, enhancing heart function by reducing renal congestion, cardiac preload, and improving cardiac output through adjustable blood flow management.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator can include a motor. The motor can be coupled to the second end of the control member to actuate the control member.
Data Source
AI summary
A flow restriction system may include an implantable controller system for controlling an implantable flow restrictor. The controller system may include: an implantable housing, an actuator at least partially disposed within the implantable housing, the actuator having a first configuration corresponding to the implantable flow restrictor being in the low profile state and a second configuration corresponding to the implantable flow restrictor being in the high profile pressure restricting state, an internal power source configured to supply current to the actuator, and a processor configured to control operation of the actuator using power from the internal power source.