Pleural Effusion Implant With Pressure-Driven Fluid Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for pleural effusion, such as catheter-based fluid drainage, are inefficient and can lead to fluid reaccumulation, infections, and protein loss, failing to recirculate fluid within the patient.
Innovation Solution
An implant with a collecting chamber, lateral valves, and a clamping arrangement that allows for reliable fluid extraction and recirculation without external catheters, utilizing a design that attaches to tissue to maintain minimal patient burden.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If catheter-based drainage is used to remove fluid from the pleural cavity, then fluid extraction is achieved, but fluid reaccumulation occurs and requires repeated interventions
Solution Approach 1:
The implant enables self-regulating fluid drainage through the valve mechanism that automatically opens when pleural pressure exceeds abdominal pressure, eliminating the need for external pumps or repeated catheter interventions. The system serves itself by using the pressure differential to control fluid flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant provides continuous fluid drainage capability through the always-present valve mechanism, ensuring that fluid can be removed whenever the pressure gradient exists, rather than requiring periodic catheter insertions. This creates an uninterrupted drainage function.
2Reliability
If external catheters are used for fluid drainage, then fluid removal is achieved, but infection risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the drainage function from the external catheter system and relocates it to an implanted device. The catheter is removed from the body after implantation, eliminating the ongoing external access point that serves as an infection pathway while maintaining fluid drainage capability through the implanted valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The implanted valve acts as an intermediary between the pleural cavity and the external environment, providing controlled fluid egress through a sealed, biocompatible structure rather than through an open catheter tract that exposes the patient to infection risk.
3Reliability
If fluid is drained externally, then fluid extraction is achieved, but protein loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the previously harmful effect of protein loss into a beneficial recirculation system. Fluid that would have been discarded externally is now redirected back to the patient's body through the implant, transforming waste removal into a resource recovery function that maintains protein levels.
4Reliability
If repeated catheter interventions are performed, then fluid reaccumulation is treated, but patient burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The implant performs the drainage function in advance and continuously, preventing fluid reaccumulation before it becomes a problem requiring intervention. The valve is already in place and functioning, eliminating the need for future catheter insertions and associated patient discomfort.
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 implant effectively manages pleural effusion by ensuring continuous fluid removal and recirculation, reducing infection risk and protein loss, while minimizing patient discomfort and intervention frequency.
Implementation Method 1
The valves are designed to allow for fluid flow when the pressure differential between the pleural cavity and the abdominal cavity exceeds a predetermined value
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 4a~4d
AI summary
The present invention relates to an implant for treatment of pleural effusion characterized in that it comprises a collecting chamber (4) with a proximal inlet, at least one distal lateral valve (31), which is connected to the collecting chamber (4) for draining fluid from the collecting chamber (4), and a clamping arrangement for attaching the implant (1) to tissue.