Intra-aortic Electrical Counterpulsation via Aortic Stimulation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Many patients suffer from impaired coronary perfusion, which is inadequately addressed by existing technologies that aim to enhance coronary blood flow through the heart by increasing blood supply via counterpulsation devices and vasodilation methods.

Innovation Solution

A sensing electrode implanted near the aorta detects electrical parameters to coordinate a control unit's output, driving currents to dilate or constrict the aorta in sync with the cardiac cycle, enhancing nitric oxide secretion during systole and constriction during diastole to peristaltically pump blood and improve coronary blood flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If counterpulsation devices are used to increase blood supply to the heart, then coronary blood flow is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoronary blood flowVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential counterpulsation function from complex mechanical devices and implements it through electrical stimulation of the aortic wall. By using electrodes to deliver electrical signals that trigger nitric oxide release and subsequent aortic constriction/dilation, the system achieves counterpulsation effects without requiring complex mechanical pumps or balloons, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining coronary blood flow improvement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical counterpulsation systems (such as intra-aortic balloon pumps) with an electrical stimulation system. Electrical signals are applied to the aortic wall to induce biochemical responses (nitric oxide release) that lead to the desired mechanical effects (aortic constriction and dilation), substituting a simpler electrical field-based system for complex mechanical apparatus

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If vasodilation methods are applied to enhance coronary blood flow, then blood supply to the heart is improved, but control precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoronary blood flowVSAvoidcontrol precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic electrical stimulation synchronized with the cardiac cycle to achieve precise control over aortic tone. By delivering electrical signals at specific phases (systole and diastole), the system creates rhythmic patterns of nitric oxide release and aortic constriction/dilation that precisely match cardiac timing requirements, thereby achieving both improved coronary blood flow and precise control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where electrical parameters are adjusted based on detected cardiac cycle phases and physiological responses. The control system monitors the cardiac cycle and modifies stimulation timing, duration, and intensity to optimize the counterpulsation effect, ensuring precise control over coronary blood flow enhancement while adapting to varying physiological conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

This method effectively increases coronary blood flow by reducing left ventricular afterload during systole and elevating diastolic blood pressure, thereby improving cardiac output and organ perfusion.

Implementation Method 1

A sensing electrode implanted near the aorta detects electrical parameters to coordinate a control unit's output

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical parameter detection: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

driving currents to dilate or constrict the aorta in sync with the cardiac cycle, enhancing nitric oxide secretion during systole

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical stimulation-induced nitric oxide secretion: Electrical Impedance Tomography

Implementation Method 3

enhancing constriction during diastole to peristaltically pump blood and improve coronary blood flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPeristalsis: Peristalsis

Data Source

PatentUS9005106B2Intra-aortic electrical counterpulsation

Publication Date: 2015.04.14 ENOPACE BIOMEDICAL

AI summary

In some embodiments of the present invention, apparatus is provided, including a sensing electrode configured to be implanted at a non-cardiac site in a vicinity of an aorta of a subject and to detect an electrical parameter of the aorta, and a control unit configured to receive the detected parameter and to generate an output in response to the detected parameter. Additional embodiments are also described.