Negative Pressure Urinary Tract System for Renal Fluid Removal

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods fail to effectively address fluid retention and venous congestion in the renal system, leading to impaired renal function and acute kidney injury, particularly in conditions like heart failure and sepsis, where fluid overload and elevated central venous pressure compromise kidney perfusion and function.

Innovation Solution

The use of a combination of ureteral stents or catheters and bladder catheters to apply negative pressure in the urinary tract, facilitating the removal of fluid and reducing interstitial pressures within the kidneys, thereby enhancing urine output and preventing venous congestion-induced nephron hypoxia.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If fluid removal methods are applied to treat renal fluid retention, then fluid overload is reduced, but renal function may be further compromised due to aggressive diuresis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid volumeVSAvoidrenal function

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the chemical/pharmacological mechanism of diuretics with a mechanical system (pump and catheter) that applies negative pressure to the bladder to actively draw fluid from the urinary tract, providing controlled fluid removal without the harmful side effects of aggressive diuresis on renal function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses hydraulic principles by applying negative pressure (suction force) through the bladder catheter to create a pressure gradient that drives fluid flow from the kidneys through the urinary tract, enabling controlled fluid removal that maintains renal perfusion pressure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Productivity

If negative pressure is applied to remove fluid from the urinary tract, then urine output increases, but intrarenal pressures may become too low affecting glomerular filtration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveurine outputVSAvoidintrarenal pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates monitoring of urine output and intrarenal pressures with feedback control that adjusts the negative pressure application to maintain optimal pressure gradients for glomerular filtration while maximizing urine removal, preventing excessive pressure drops that would compromise filtration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The invention dynamically adjusts the negative pressure parameter applied to the bladder based on measured urine output and renal function parameters, optimizing the balance between enhancing urine flow and maintaining sufficient intrarenal pressure for glomerular filtration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach effectively increases urine production, decreases total body sodium, and improves renal hemodynamics, thereby alleviating fluid overload and reducing the risk of acute kidney injury and worsening renal function in patients with heart failure and other conditions.

Implementation Method 1

applying negative pressure to the proximal end of the bladder catheter to induce negative pressure in a portion of the urinary tract of the patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11040180B2Systems, kits and methods for inducing negative pressure to increase renal function

Publication Date: 2021.06.22 THE STRATACA GRP

AI summary

A method for removing fluid from a patient is provided, the method including: deploying a ureteral stent or ureteral catheter into a ureter of a patient to maintain patency of fluid flow between a kidney and a bladder of the patient; deploying a bladder catheter into the bladder of the patient, wherein the bladder catheter comprises a distal end configured to be positioned in a patient's bladder, a drainage lumen portion having a proximal end, and a sidewall extending therebetween; and applying negative pressure to the proximal end of the bladder catheter to induce negative pressure in a portion of the urinary tract of the patient to remove fluid from the patient. Systems and kits related thereto also are provided.