Modular Arteriovenous Shunt with Patency Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable arteriovenous shunts for hemodialysis are prone to failure due to issues like myointimal hyperplasia, thrombosis, and stenosis, and lack the ability to monitor and report patency data or be adjusted for optimal fit, posing health and logistical challenges.
Innovation Solution
An implantable modular arteriovenous shunt system capable of monitoring and reporting its own patency, comprising modular components that can be assembled and adjusted during implantation to provide a custom fit, with a valve control system and integrated surveillance system for data collection and wireless transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional AV shunts are used for hemodialysis, then blood flow access is established, but the shunts are prone to failure due to myointimal hyperplasia, thrombosis, and stenosis
Solution Approach 1:
The AV shunt is divided into multiple modular segments that can be independently adjusted and configured. This segmentation allows for customized length and configuration to match patient anatomy, reducing turbulence and compliance mismatch that lead to myointimalhyperplasia and stenosis, thereby improving long-term patency reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The shunt incorporates adjustable elements that allow dynamic modification of the shunt configuration during implantation. This dynamic adjustability enables optimization of the shunt path to minimize harmful factors like turbulence and compliance mismatch, reducing the risk of thrombosis and stenosis while maintaining reliable blood flow access
2Loss of information
If conventional AV shunts are used, then hemodialysis access is provided, but there is no ability to monitor and report patency data
Solution Approach 1:
The shunt system incorporates self-monitoring capabilities with integrated sensors that automatically detect and report patency status, flow rates, and potential complications. This self-service monitoring eliminates the need for complex external monitoring systems while providing continuous patency data, enabling timely intervention before failure occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes feedback mechanisms where sensors continuously monitor shunt performance and provide real-time data to both the device control system and external monitoring systems. This feedback loop enables automatic adjustment of shunt parameters and alerts healthcare providers to potential issues, maintaining patency without requiring complex manual monitoring systems
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional AV shunts are used, then blood flow is established, but the shunts cannot be adjusted for optimal fit
Solution Approach 1:
The shunt is manufactured as modular segments that can be easily assembled and adjusted during implantation to achieve optimal fit for each patient's anatomy. This segmentation simplifies the manufacturing process while enabling high adaptability, as each segment can be independently configured to match the patient's vascular pathway requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The shunt incorporates adjustable elements during implantation that allow the surgeon to optimize the shunt configuration for each patient's specific anatomy. This dynamic adjustability enhances adaptability to various patient requirements while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized adjustable components rather than custom-made shunts
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an implantable modular AV shunt device, which is capable of monitoring and reporting its own patency, and which comprises a plurality of modular components that may be assembled and adjusted by the vascular surgeon during the implantation procedure, using well-known surgical techniques, in order to provide a custom fit and arrangement for the particular patient involved. The device comprises an arterial anastomotic valve that permits blood flowing through an artery to pass into the shunt device, a venous anastomotic valve that permits blood flowing through the shunt device to pass into a vein, a medial flow control unit, a first flexible shunt that carries blood from the arterial anastomotic valve to the medial flow control unit, a second flexible shunt that carries blood from the medial flow control unit to the venous anastomotic valve, and a valve control system. The valve control system is operable to control both the rate at which blood is permitted to enter the shunt device via the arterial anastomotic valve, as well as the rate at which blood is permitted to exit the shunt device via the venous anastomotic valve.