Pericardial Restraint Control via Segmented Scroll Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current therapies for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) do not effectively address pericardial restraint, which leads to increased left heart pressure and breathing difficulties during physical activity.

Innovation Solution

A medical device with scroll sets and spindles is used to control pericardial restraint by making incisions in the pericardium and deploying covering materials to manage the pericardial pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If pericardial restraint is maintained to provide structural support, then pericardial stability is improved, but pericardial pressure increases causing breathing difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepericardial stabilityVSAvoidpericardial pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The pericardium is divided into multiple segments through incisions, allowing the restrained structure to be segmented into independent sections that can expand individually, reducing overall pericardial pressure while maintaining localized stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pericardial restraint is transformed from a static constraining structure to a dynamic system where the pericardium can selectively expand in response to physiological demands, balancing stability with pressure relief

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If pericardial restraint is increased to support heart structure, then structural support is improved, but heart expansion space is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidheart expansion space

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pericardium is segmented through incisions, creating multiple compartments that can expand independently, thereby increasing the total expansion space for the heart while maintaining structural support in each segment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pericardial membrane is utilized as a flexible structure that can dynamically adjust its configuration, providing structural support when needed while allowing expansion when cardiac volume increases

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Object-affected harmful factors

If pericardial restraint is reduced to relieve pressure, then breathing difficulty is improved, but pericardial structural integrity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebreathing difficultyVSAvoidpericardial structural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The pericardium is divided into segments through incisions, allowing pressure relief in specific areas while maintaining structural integrity in other segments, thus reducing breathing difficulty without compromising overall structural strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250204949A1Device for controlling pericardial restraint

Publication Date: 2025.06.26 EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORP

AI summary

A medical device is provided that includes a scroll set including first and second sides, both comprising respective anchors to affix the respective sides relative to pericardium tissue at first and second locations. A covering material is provided having a first end attached to the first side of the scroll set and a second end attached to the second side, such that the covering material spans a gap between the first and second sides of the scroll set. In some instances, each of the first and second sides respectively comprise first and second biasing means, where the first biasing means is configured to resist rotation of the first side in a first direction and the second biasing means is configured to resist rotation of the second side in an opposite second direction, such that the first and second ends maintain a bias force on the covering material.