Lymph Node Replacement Structure for Restoring Lymph Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lymph node removal procedures lead to edema due to disrupted lymphatic drainage, with existing artificial nodes failing to restore flow pathways and address the need for lymph node function.
Innovation Solution
An implantable lymph node replacement construct with multiple inlets and outlets, featuring internal parallel flow paths and unidirectional valves, mimicking lymphatic vessel function to enhance lymph flow and reduce resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lymph nodes are removed during cancer surgery, then the risk of metastatic spread is minimized, but lymphatic drainage is disrupted causing edema
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an artificial lymph node construct as an intermediary device to replace the removed natural lymph node. This construct includes a body with multiple inlets and outlets, containing an internal structure with flow paths that mimics natural lymph node architecture, enabling lymphatic drainage restoration without compromising cancer treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the structural parameters of the lymph node replacement by providing a body with multiple inlets and outlets arranged in specific configurations, with internal flow paths designed to optimize lymph flow. This parameter optimization enables effective drainage restoration while preventing edema formation
2Adaptability or versatility
If artificial lymph nodes are made from collagen sponge materials, then immune cell embedding is enabled, but complete lymph node function and flow pathway restoration are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the artificial lymph node into distinct functional components: a body portion with multiple inlets and outlets, and an internal structure with defined flow paths. This segmentation allows separate optimization of immune cell embedding capability in the body material and drainage function in the internal flow path configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction combining biocompatible materials suitable for immune cell embedding with structurally optimized internal flow paths. The body can be made from immunocompatible materials while the internal structure incorporates flow path designs that restore complete lymphatic drainage function
3Device complexity
If a single inlet and outlet configuration is used in the construct, then device simplicity is maintained, but lymph flow resistance is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the flow path into multiple parallel channels within the internal structure, connecting the inlets to outlets through distributed flow paths rather than a single channel. This segmentation reduces flow resistance by distributing lymph flow across multiple pathways while maintaining overall structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single linear flow path to a multi-dimensional network of parallel flow paths within the internal structure. This dimensional expansion allows lymph to flow through multiple simultaneous pathways, reducing resistance without significantly increasing external device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable lymph node replacement construct (10) comprising a body (12) having a plurality of inlets (24,26) and a lesser number of outlets (30). The body (12) further having an internal structure defining a fluid communication path through the body (12) from the inlets (24,26) to the outlet or outlets (30). The internal structure of the body (12) comprises an inlet portion (38), a convergent portion (40) and an outlet portion (42) such that lymph received by the construct (10) at the inlets (24,26) is conveyed through the inlet portion (38) of the internal structure to the convergent portion (40) whereupon the lymph is combined before passing to the outlet or outlets (30).