Intra-Cardiac Stent for VAD Cannula Alignment and Collapse Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ventricular assist devices (VADs) face issues such as suction events, adverse remodeling of the heart, ingrowth of heart tissue on the inflow cannula, and poor alignment of the inflow cannula, which pose life-threatening risks and hinder widespread application, particularly in the right ventricle, atrial, and pediatric uses.
Innovation Solution
A stent is implanted within the left ventricle, right ventricle, left atrium, or right atrium of the heart to maintain optimal heart geometry, prevent collapse, and reduce ingrowth by interfacing with the inflow cannula, which can be transferred between compact and open configurations for easy implantation and alignment with the mitral valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a VAD pump is implanted to assist heart function, then cardiac output is improved, but ventricular collapse and suction events occur due to loss of normal heart geometry
Solution Approach 1:
An intra-cardiac stent is introduced as an intermediary structure between the VAD pump and the heart chamber. The stent maintains normal heart geometry and prevents ventricular collapse by providing structural support to the chamber walls, thereby eliminating suction events while allowing the VAD to continue providing cardiac assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The stent is deployed in advance of VAD operation to pre-establish proper heart chamber geometry. By maintaining the chamber in its normal configuration before the pump begins assisting, the stent prevents the development of adverse geometric changes that would lead to suction events and ventricular collapse.
2Productivity
If the inflow cannula is implanted to connect the VAD to the heart, then blood flow assistance is improved, but heart tissue ingrowth on the cannula occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The stent acts as a protective intermediary barrier between the inflow cannula and the heart tissue. By positioning the stent around the cannula within the heart chamber, it prevents direct contact between the cannula surface and heart tissue, thereby eliminating the pathway for tissue ingrowth while preserving the cannula's blood flow function.
3Productivity
If the inflow cannula is implanted to provide blood flow, then cardiac assistance is improved, but poor alignment with the mitral valve occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The stent serves as a positioning intermediary that facilitates proper alignment of the inflow cannula with the mitral valve. By providing a structured framework within the heart chamber, the stent guides the cannula into the correct orientation and maintains stable positioning, thereby improving alignment precision without compromising cardiac assistance 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 stent effectively prevents ventricular collapse, reduces suction events, improves cannula alignment, minimizes heart tissue ingrowth, and reduces adverse remodeling, enhancing VAD efficiency and patient outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
The stent may be transferable between a first compact configuration for implantation and a second open configuration for use in the heart
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of assisting a heart for the operation of a ventricular assist device comprising the steps of implanting a cannula to the heart and deploying a stent within a left ventricle, a right ventricle, a left atrium, or a right atrium of the heart. The stent may be transferable from a first compact configuration to a second open configuration to facilitate implantation. The stent may also have a flared distal end to assist with alignment, positioning, and prevent outgrowth.