SVC Catheter Occlusion Control for Heart Failure Preload Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current device-based treatments for heart failure do not effectively reduce left and right ventricular volumes and pressures without causing severe side effects, and pharmaceutical approaches fail to address localized cardiac remodeling, leading to progressive deterioration and increased morbidity.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for regulating venous blood return through the superior vena cava (SVC) using a catheter with a flow limiting element, controlled by a controller, to intermittently occlude the SVC, reducing ventricular overload and cardiac preload, and improving cardiac output without adverse effects on renal function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If device-based treatments occlude the vena cava to reduce ventricular volumes and pressures, then cardiac preload is reduced, but severe side effects occur including renal function impairment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the vena cava occlusion into two separate locations: SVC occlusion for reducing right ventricular preload and IVC occlusion for reducing left ventricular preload. This segmentation allows selective reduction of ventricular volumes and pressures while directing venous flow through alternative pathways that preserve renal function by avoiding complete IVC occlusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism using a flow-limiting element rather than complete occlusion. This intermediary approach allows controlled reduction of venous return to the heart, achieving preload reduction while maintaining sufficient blood flow to the kidneys through regulated flow limitation instead of total blockage.
2Reliability
If pharmaceutical approaches are used to treat heart failure, then symptoms are palliated, but localized cardiac remodeling is not addressed leading to progressive deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces pharmaceutical chemical interventions with a mechanical device-based solution. The flow-limiting elements mechanically reduce ventricular volumes and pressures, directly addressing the structural remodeling of the heart by altering hemodynamic loads on the cardiac chambers, thereby stabilizing cardiac structure while managing symptoms.
3Volume of stationary object
If complete vena cava occlusion is performed to maximize preload reduction, then ventricular volumes are minimized, but cerebral blood flow is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the venous return reduction into two separate occlusion sites (SVC and IVC) that can be independently controlled. This allows minimization of ventricular volumes through coordinated occlusion while maintaining patent pathways for cerebral blood flow by avoiding complete occlusion and enabling selective, controlled flow limitation at each site.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs partial occlusion using flow-limiting elements rather than complete blockage. This partial action achieves sufficient preload reduction to minimize ventricular volumes while maintaining adequate blood flow to the brain by allowing controlled venous return through the flow-limiting elements.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods and devices are provided for treating conditions such as heart failure and/or pulmonary hypertension by at least partially occluding flow through the superior vena cava for an interval spanning multiple cardiac cycles. A catheter with an occlusion device is provided along with a controller that actuates a drive mechanism to provide at least partial occlusion of the patient's superior vena cava, which reduces cardiac filling pressures, and induces a favorable shift in the patient's Frank-Starling curve towards healthy heart functionality and improved cardiac performance. The occlusion device may include a lumen obstructed by a relief valve that may permit fluid flow through the occlusion device to release an excessive build-up of pressure.