Pressure-Responsive Venous Flow Restrictor for Right Atrial Unloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Chronic kidney disease and heart failure patients experience elevated right atrium pressure, leading to impaired kidney function and fluid overload due to inefficient diuresis, resulting in increased hospital admissions.
Innovation Solution
A flow restrictor device for blood vessels, comprising a frame, inner and outer cells, and leaflets that modulate blood flow in response to pressure changes, reducing right atrium pressure and enhancing kidney perfusion by regulating blood flow through the Superior Vena Cava and Inferior Vena Cava.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If blood flow is restricted through the Superior Vena Cava and/or Inferior Vena Cava, then right atrium pressure is reduced and kidney perfusion is improved, but blood flow to the kidneys may be insufficient during exertion
Solution Approach 1:
The flow restrictor incorporates a movable junction that can dynamically adjust the restriction level based on blood pressure conditions. During rest, the junction maintains high restriction to lower right atrium pressure. During exertion, the junction moves to reduce restriction, allowing adequate blood flow to kidneys while maintaining the benefit of reduced venous pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the flow restriction parameter in response to blood pressure changes. When blood pressure increases during exertion, the movable junction responds by reducing the degree of flow restriction, thereby adapting the device performance to match physiological demands and prevent excessive blood flow restriction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a movable junction is added to dynamically adjust flow restriction, then adaptability to blood pressure changes is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable junction is designed to respond automatically to blood pressure changes without requiring external control systems, sensors, or power sources. The junction's movement is driven directly by the pressure differential across the device, making the system self-regulating and significantly simplifying the overall device architecture while maintaining high adaptability.
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 device effectively manages blood flow to improve kidney function, reduce venous congestion, and lower hospital readmissions by actively or passively adjusting to blood pressure fluctuations, ensuring adequate blood flow during exertion and rest.
Implementation Method 1
The movable junction of the inner cell and the inflow edge of the leaflet can be configured to move axially in response to a first increase in a blood pressure within the blood vessel
Data Source
AI summary
A flow restrictor for a blood vessel can include a frame positionable within a blood vessel, an inner cell, a leaflet, and a lumen through the flow restrictor. The lumen is defined at least in part by the leaflet. An inflow edge of the leaflet can be coupled to a movable junction of the inner cell, and an outflow edge of the leaflet can be coupled to an anchoring junction of the inner cell. The movable junction of the inner cell and the inflow edge of the leaflet can be configured to move axially in response to a first increase in a blood pressure within the blood vessel, and in response to the blood pressure within the blood vessel being within a first blood pressure range. The movable junction and the leaflet can be configured such that the lumen changes size when the movable junction moves.