Superior Vena Cava Occlusion for Heart Failure Unloading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for heart failure, including pharmacologic approaches, are limited in effectively arresting or reversing cardiac remodeling, exacerbate co-morbidities, and increase healthcare burden, with few options for ambulatory or chronic use.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the continuous occlusion of the Superior Vena Cava (SVC) using a balloon catheter for 6 hours to reduce venous return, thereby unloading the heart and promoting myocardial recovery, combined with a trans-valvular heart pump for assistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pharmacologic treatments are used to treat heart failure, then symptoms and survival may be improved, but costs and side effects increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesurvivalVSAvoidside effects

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces pharmacologic treatments with a mechanical intervention - a removable occlusion device that physically blocks the superior vena cava to reduce venous return. This mechanical approach directly addresses the hemodynamic problem of volume overload without the side effects and costs associated with multiple medications, while still achieving improved survival and reduced hospitalizations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The occlusion device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the patient's heart failure condition and the desired therapeutic effect. By introducing this intermediate device that temporarily restricts blood flow, the system achieves cardiac unloading and promotes myocardial recovery without directly modifying the patient's physiology through drugs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stress or pressure

If continuous occlusion of SVC is performed, then cardiac pressures are reduced and myocardial recovery is promoted, but device complexity and treatment duration increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecardiac pressuresVSAvoidocclusion device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The occlusion device is designed to be dynamic rather than static - it can be inserted and removed based on patient needs. The device transitions between an occluding state (when inserted) and a non-occluding state (when removed), allowing flexibility in treatment duration and adaptation to patient response without requiring complex permanent modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The treatment approach is segmented into discrete phases: device insertion, occlusion period (6 hours), device removal, and recovery period. This segmentation allows for controlled, temporary intervention rather than continuous permanent occlusion, reducing overall device complexity while achieving the desired pressure reduction and myocardial recovery effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Duration of action of moving object

If occlusion device is removed after 6 hours, then treatment duration is limited, but reliability of sustained effect is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveocclusion durationVSAvoidsustained therapeutic effect

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves continuity of useful action through repeated cycles of device insertion and removal. Rather than relying on a single prolonged occlusion event, the treatment can be administered multiple times, ensuring sustained therapeutic effect. Each 6-hour occlusion period provides immediate benefit, and repeated administrations maintain long-term improvement in cardiac function and reduction in hospitalizations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 reduces cardiac pressures, improves renal function, decreases hospital stays, and reverses myocardial remodeling, enhancing quality of life and reducing the risk of co-morbidities associated with heart failure.

Implementation Method 1

delivering an occlusion device through the vasculature into the Superior Vena Cava ('SVC') of the patient. The occlusion device is activated within the SVC such that blood flow from the SVC is effectively continuously occluded

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical occlusion: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS20260060687A1Method of treating heart failure in a patient

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 TUFTS MEDICAL CENTER INC

AI summary

A method of treating heart failure in a patient includes delivering an occlusion device through the vasculature into the Superior Vena Cava (“SVC”) of the patient. The occlusion device is activated within the SVC such that blood flow from the SVC is effectively continuously occluded for a period of about 6 hours. After the 6-hour period of time, the occlusion device within the SVC is deactivated. The occlusion device is removed from the vasculature of the patient.