Intravascular Impeller Pump with Flow Restrictor for Edema

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Solution Overview

Problem

Congestive heart failure leads to edema due to elevated blood pressure, which causes fluid accumulation in tissues, weakening the heart and increasing the risk of severe health consequences, and existing treatments are inefficient in managing this condition.

Innovation Solution

An impeller assembly with structural features that guide smooth fluid flow without recirculation, connected to a catheter, is used to decrease pressure at a lymphatic duct, promoting lymph drainage and reducing edema symptoms by enhancing blood flow through the impeller assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional impeller structures are used, then the impeller can pump blood, but flow recirculation and vortices occur reducing treatment efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood pumping efficiencyVSAvoidenergy loss from recirculation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The impeller assembly is segmented into multiple functional components: an impeller for pumping, a flow guide with vanes for directing flow, and a housing for containment. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function while working together to eliminate recirculation and improve overall pumping efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A flow guide with vanes is introduced as an intermediary component between the impeller and the blood flow path. This flow guide acts as a mediator that channels blood flow smoothly, preventing recirculation and vortices, thereby improving energy efficiency and pumping effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the impeller operates to pump blood, then blood flow is increased, but pressure at the lymphatic duct output increases preventing effective lymph drainage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood flow rateVSAvoidpressure at lymphatic duct output

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The device creates different pressure conditions at different locations: high pressure at the impeller inlet to drive blood flow, and controlled pressure at the lymphatic duct output to facilitate drainage. The flow guide vanes are positioned to create localized pressure gradients that simultaneously achieve both blood pumping and lymph drainage objectives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the catheter is inserted into the jugular vein, then the device can treat edema, but the procedure carries risks of vascular injury and infection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveedema treatment capabilityVSAvoidvascular injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates a balloon that can be dynamically inflated and deflated. When inflated, the balloon provides support and stabilizes the catheter position within the jugular vein, reducing the risk of vascular injury. When deflated, the catheter can be easily removed. This dynamic capability allows the device to adapt to different operational requirements while minimizing harm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The balloon is designed to be inflated beforehand to provide cushioning and support for the catheter within the vascular system. This pre-positioning cushioning protects the catheter from causing vascular injury during insertion and operation, thereby reducing the harmful effects of the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 impeller assembly efficiently pumps blood without recirculation or vortices, providing effective relief from edema symptoms by facilitating lymph drainage and improving heart function.

Implementation Method 1

operating the impeller in a vicinity of a lymphatic duct, the device promotes and increases blood flow along the jugular vein, which by Bernoulli's principle decreases pressure at an output of the lymphatic duct

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBernoulli's principle: Bernoulli Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20250319287A1Devices and methods for treating edema

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 WHITE SWELL MEDICAL LTD

AI summary

The disclosure relates to devices and methods for the treatment of edema, which devices use a restrictor for flow compensation. Devices and methods of the invention further use a flow-restrictor in the circulatory system, upstream of an intravascular pump, to balance pressure changes induced by the pump and to compensate for downstream flow. The device may be provided as an indwelling, intravascular catheter with a mechanical pump such as an impeller and a selectively deployable restrictor such as an inflatable balloon. Congestive heart failure or edema is treated by\ operating the pump in an innominate vein and using the restrictor for flow compensation, to restrict the upstream flow and thus amplify or maintain pressure reduction at the lymphatic outlet.