Implantable Flow Modulator for Renal Perfusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for heart failure and kidney diseases, such as congestive heart failure and chronic kidney disease, face challenges in effectively improving blood flow and reducing pressure to prevent organ damage, with existing therapies like diuretics and ACE inhibitors having deleterious effects on kidney function.
Innovation Solution
The development of a device and method that creates pressure differences and fluid entrainment in body lumens by using an upstream flow accelerator and downstream flow decelerator, specifically designed to be implanted near renal arteries or in the inferior vena cava, to enhance blood flow to the kidneys with minimal energy loss, reducing renal perfusion pressure and improving kidney functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If diuretics and ACE inhibitors are used to treat heart failure and kidney diseases, then blood flow improvement is achieved, but kidney function deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flow modulator device as an intermediary mechanism that physically modifies blood flow dynamics through pressure differential creation, serving as an alternative to pharmacological interventions that directly affect kidney function
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes hydraulic principles by creating pressure differences within the vascular system to redirect blood flow, thereby improving renal perfusion pressure and kidney function without relying on pharmacological agents
2Productivity
If upstream flow accelerator and downstream flow decelerator are used to create pressure differences, then fluid entrainment and blood flow enhancement are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow modulator is divided into distinct functional segments: an upstream flow accelerator portion and a downstream flow decelerator portion, each performing a specific function to collectively achieve fluid entrainment and blood flow enhancement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the flow accelerator and flow decelerator into a single integrated flow modulator device that operates as a unified system, merging multiple functions into one implantable unit
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 improves kidney function by increasing blood flow and reducing pressure, potentially treating heart failure and hypertension while minimizing the adverse effects of existing therapies, and can be used in conjunction with current treatments to enhance their efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
accelerating a fluid stream passing through the upstream component towards the downstream component to generate a low pressure region
Implementation Method 2
entrain additional fluid into the fluid stream as the fluid stream passes into the entry of the downstream component
Data Source
AI summary
The devices and methods described herein include an implantable body lumen fluid flow modulator including an upstream flow accelerator separated by a gap from a downstream flow decelerator. The gap is a pathway to entrain additional fluid from a branch lumen(s) into the fluid stream flowing from the upstream flow accelerator to the downstream flow decelerator.