Right Atrium VAD Bypassing Left Ventricle for Stroke Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ventricular assist devices (VADs) face challenges such as mechanical failure, thrombosis, and limited lifespan due to high pressures in the left ventricle, and difficulties in minimally invasive implantation and thrombotic stroke risks when implanted in the left atrium.
Innovation Solution
A VAD system is designed for implantation in the right atrium, bypassing the left ventricle by drawing oxygenated blood from the left atrium and pumping it directly into the aorta, using a motor-driven impeller with a secondary flow path to reduce stress and thrombosis risk, and employing anchors and conduits for secure placement and monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a VAD is implanted in the left ventricle to assist cardiac function, then cardiac support is provided, but mechanical failure and thrombosis risk increase due to high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the right atrium as an intermediary chamber between the left atrium and the pump. By routing blood through the right atrium before it reaches the pump, the system uses the lower-pressure environment of the right atrium to protect the pump from the high-pressure stresses of the left ventricle, thereby reducing mechanical failure risk while maintaining cardiac support function
2Reliability
If a VAD is implanted in the left atrium to bypass the left ventricle, then thrombosis risk is reduced, but the risk of thrombotic stroke increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the right atrium as an intermediary chamber that receives blood from the left atrium and directs it to the pump. This routing ensures that blood enters the pump through the lower-pressure right atrium (reducing thrombosis) while maintaining proper blood flow direction away from the brain (reducing stroke risk). The right atrium acts as a protective mediator between the left atrium and the pump system
3Duration of action of moving object
If a VAD is designed for long-term implantation, then cardiac support duration increases, but mechanical failure risk accumulates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by designing the pump implantation site and blood flow path to prevent high-pressure stress from reaching the pump components. By routing blood through the right atrium first, the system pre-provides pressure protection that cushions the pump against mechanical stress throughout its entire implantation duration, enabling long-term use without accumulating failure risk
4Power
If a VAD uses high power to pump blood from the left ventricle, then cardiac function is restored, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the right atrium as an intermediary chamber that reduces the pressure requirements for blood pumping. By routing blood through the right atrium before the pump, the system leverages the lower-pressure environment to decrease the energy consumption of the pump while maintaining adequate cardiac function
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 system provides prolonged cardiac support with reduced mechanical failure and thrombosis risk, allowing for longer-term implantation with minimal disruption and improved patient quality of life, while facilitating minimally invasive procedures and reducing the risk of thrombotic strokes.
Implementation Method 1
A VAD system is designed for implantation in the right atrium, bypassing the left ventricle by drawing oxygenated blood from the left atrium and pumping it directly into the aorta, using a motor-driven impeller
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices and methods are provided for supporting cardiac function. A device comprises an elongate housing configured for implantation into the right atrium and/or the superior vena cava of a human heart. The housing includes a first inlet and an outlet that define a primary blood flow path from the left atrium through at least a portion of the housing within the right atrium, and to the aorta. The housing comprises a motor disposed within the housing and an impeller coupled to the motor for pumping blood from the first inlet to the outlet of the housing through the primary blood flow path. The device bypasses the left ventricle by drawing freshly oxygenated blood from the left atrium and propelling this blood directly into the aorta. Implanting the pump in the right atrium eliminates the risk of bloods clots forming on the pump from passing into the arteries supplying blood to the brain. In addition, this decreases the stresses and loads on the blood pump, thereby reducing bleeding events, mechanical failure and/or wear on the pump components.