Interatrial Pressure Vent Stent Coronary Sinus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for heart failure, particularly diastolic and systolic failure of the left ventricle, lack effective methods to relieve elevated pressures in the left atrium, leading to symptoms like breathlessness and increased risk of thrombi and systemic emboli.
Innovation Solution
The development of an interatrial pressure vent stent and method for implantation, which creates a controlled opening between the coronary sinus and the left atrium to relieve pressure by allowing blood flow from the left atrium to the right atrium while minimizing flow in the reverse direction, using a stent with a radially-expanding portion and a flow control element to manage pressure and prevent thrombi formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a stent is deployed in the coronary sinus to create an opening to the left atrium, then left atrial pressure is reduced, but there is a risk of thrombi formation and emboli
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is designed with a porous or mesh-like structure that allows blood flow through multiple small openings rather than a single large opening. This reduces the risk of thrombi formation by minimizing areas of stagnant flow while still effectively relieving left atrial pressure through the coronary sinus
Solution Approach 2:
The stent acts as an intermediary device that creates a controlled communication pathway between the coronary sinus and left atrium. The stent structure mediates the pressure relief function while simultaneously preventing direct thrombus formation and emboli by filtering and distributing blood flow through its porous architecture
2Ease of operation
If a stent is deployed to relieve pressure in the left atrium, then symptoms of heart failure are alleviated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it creates the opening for pressure relief, filters blood flow to prevent thrombi, and provides structural support to maintain the patent opening. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate devices while achieving comprehensive treatment of heart failure symptoms
Solution Approach 2:
The stent utilizes changes in physical parameters such as radial force and porosity to achieve its functions. By adjusting these parameters during design and deployment, the stent can effectively relieve pressure and prevent thrombi formation without requiring overly complex mechanical structures
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 interatrial pressure vent effectively reduces left atrial pressure, alleviates symptoms of heart failure, and minimizes the risk of thrombi and emboli by controlling blood flow direction, thereby improving patient outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
The interatrial pressure vent effectively reduces left atrial pressure, alleviates symptoms of heart failure
Data Source
AI summary
A method and devices for relieving pressure in the left atrium of a patient's heart is disclosed. The method includes using an ablative catheter in a minimally invasive procedure to prepare an opening from the coronary sinus into a left atrium of the patient's heart. Once the opening is prepared, the opening may be enlarged by a technique such as expanding a balloon within the opening. A stent is then placed within the coronary sinus of the patient, with a transverse portion expanding within the opening, allowing blood to flow from the left atrium to the coronary sinus and then to the right atrium. Pressure within the left atrium is thus relieved.