Implantable Pump Flow Directors for Targeted Perfusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for poor circulation and perfusion, such as medications and mechanical devices, are invasive, costly, and lack the ability to specifically target and adjust fluid flow and pressure to particular organs or regions, leading to inefficiencies and complications.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an implantable pump with struts secured in a vessel, featuring an inlet and outlet housing, a flexible cannula, and flow directors to selectively manage fluid flow and pressure, allowing for targeted perfusion enhancements without creating alternative flow paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If medications are used to improve circulation, then circulation is enhanced, but side effects and habituation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pharmacological interventions with a mechanical pump system that physically augments blood flow and pressure. The pump device mechanically circulates blood through the body, eliminating the need for medications that cause side effects and habituation while providing reliable circulation enhancement.
2Reliability
If LVADs are implanted to improve circulation, then circulatory support is provided, but invasive surgery and long recovery are required
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is divided into separate components: an implantable pump unit and an external power/control unit connected via a flexible cannula. This segmentation allows the pump to be implanted through less invasive procedures while the power source remains external, reducing surgical complexity and recovery time compared to fully implantable LVADs.
3Duration of action of moving object
If IABPs are used to improve circulation, then short-term support is provided, but effectiveness is limited by balloon size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the balloon-based IABP mechanism with a pump system that uses an impeller to actively move blood. This mechanical substitution provides more reliable and controllable circulation enhancement without the size limitations of balloon expansion, while maintaining suitability for short-term support.
4Reliability
If systemic circulatory support is provided to improve overall circulation, then general perfusion is enhanced, but localized control is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system incorporates controllable speed and flow characteristics that can be dynamically adjusted. The pump may be rotated at variable speeds and configured to provide different flow patterns (e.g., pulsatile vs. continuous), allowing localized control of perfusion to specific organs or regions while maintaining overall circulatory support.
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 system provides precise control over fluid flow and pressure, reducing recovery time, minimizing complications, and enhancing perfusion to specific organs or regions, such as the kidneys, while maintaining native pulsatile flow and reducing the risk of embolic strokes.
Implementation Method 1
a motor disposed within the inlet housing and connected to an impeller via a shaft
Implementation Method 2
the inlet housing comprising an inlet flow director disposed therein that directs flow received radially from outside the inlet housing to the impeller and an intermediate flow director that directs flow from the impeller through the flexible cannula, and the outlet housing comprising an outlet flow director disposed therein that directs flow from the impeller radially outward from the outlet housing
Data Source
Figure A1
Figure 1~2
Figure A2~A3
AI summary
Fluid pressure or flow in a human body may be adjusted with circulation or perfusion systems and methods. The system may include a first pump implantable in a chamber or vessel of the human body, and a plurality of struts connected to a housing of said first pump, wherein said struts secure the first pump in a desired location of said chamber or vessel. The system may also include one or more flow modification elements disposed on said first pump, where said flow modification elements direct flow to a desired organ or a desired vessel to adjust pressure or flow as desired.