Splanchnic Nerve Modulation for Heart Failure Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current therapies for heart failure, particularly diastolic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), are inadequate, as they often come with side effects and are ineffective, and there is a lack of promising treatments for chronic management and recurrent acute decompensated heart failure episodes.
Innovation Solution
The method involves blocking or inhibiting the activity of the greater splanchnic nerve to affect circulating blood volume, pressure, and blood flow, using electrical modulation to create a nerve block and shift blood from the effective circulation into the splanchnic vascular bed, thereby reducing cardiac preload and venous congestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current therapies for heart failure are used, then heart failure management is attempted, but the therapies come with side effects and are ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and targets the specific splanchnic nerve pathway that contributes to fluid retention and venous congestion in heart failure patients. By identifying and blocking this specific neural pathway rather than using broad-spectrum medications, the therapy eliminates the harmful effect (fluid retention) without the harmful side effects of conventional drugs. The splanchnic nerve block selectively interrupts sympathetic tone to splanchnic vessels, achieving therapeutic effect without systemic drug side effects.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional heart failure therapies are used, then treatment is provided, but there is a lack of promising treatments for chronic management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic, adjustable nerve block therapy that can be modified based on patient response and disease progression. The splanchnic nerve block parameters (duration, frequency, intensity) can be adjusted to provide chronic management while maintaining effectiveness. This dynamic approach allows for long-term treatment adaptation, addressing the lack of reliable chronic management options in conventional heart failure therapy.
3Quantity of substance
If electrical modulation of splanchnic nerve is applied, then blood volume and pressure are affected, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by blocking the splanchnic nerve rather than directly manipulating blood volume or pressure. The nerve block serves as an intermediary mechanism that indirectly achieves blood volume redistribution and pressure reduction through neural pathway interruption. This simplifies the treatment approach compared to direct hemodynamic manipulation devices, reducing overall system complexity while achieving the desired physiological effects.
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 reduces pulmonary congestion, relieves dyspnea, increases stroke volume, and improves overall heart function, providing a reliable and safe treatment option for heart failure patients, especially those with HFpEF, by modulating the splanchnic vascular bed to improve fluid distribution and reduce pulmonary pressures.
Implementation Method 1
electrically modulating a greater splanchnic nerve
Implementation Method 2
shift blood from the effective circulation into the splanchnic vascular bed, thereby reducing cardiac preload
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a device, and method for treating heart failure by electrically modulating a splanchnic nerve with an implantable device.