Wire-Actuated Artificial Heart Chambers for Pulsatile Blood Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current artificial hearts are bulky, complex, and pose biocompatibility issues, leading to thromboembolic and hemorrhagic events, and are not suitable as a permanent solution for heart failure due to donor organ shortages.
Innovation Solution
A compact, durable implantable total artificial heart with soft, biocompatible materials and an actuator system that mimics natural heart movement, using wires to compress and decompress chambers for pulsatile blood flow, reducing stress on blood and minimizing side effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional total artificial hearts are used, then pumping function is provided, but device complexity increases and biocompatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The artificial heart is divided into two separate pumping chambers (first pumping chamber for right ventricle, second pumping chamber for left ventricle), each with its own inlet and outlet. This segmentation allows independent operation of each ventricle, improving reliability while simplifying the overall control mechanism compared to a single complex chamber design.
Solution Approach 2:
The pumping chambers are constructed with flexible membranes that can expand and contract to simulate natural heart movement. This flexibility enables the chambers to change volume during the pumping cycle without requiring complex mechanical components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining effective pumping function.
2Reliability
If conventional total artificial hearts are used, then pumping function is provided, but biocompatibility worsens leading to thromboembolic and hemorrhagic events
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane material provides a biocompatible surface that reduces blood interaction with rigid components. This flexibility allows the membrane to conform to blood flow patterns, minimizing turbulence and reducing the risk of thromboembolic events, while also preventing hemorrhagic events through controlled compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The pumping chambers are designed to change volume dynamically during operation, mimicking the natural heart's pumping action. This volume change parameter creates a pulsatile flow pattern that prevents blood stasis and reduces thrombus formation, thereby improving biocompatibility while maintaining reliable pumping function.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional total artificial hearts are used, then temporary treatment is provided, but adaptability for permanent use deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane construction allows the device to adapt to long-term implantation conditions. The material can withstand continuous cyclic deformation for permanent use, and the flexibility enables the device to conform to the patient's anatomy over time, making it suitable for both temporary and permanent applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The pumping chambers are designed with dynamic volume change capability that can be adjusted during operation. This dynamic adaptation allows the device to optimize its performance for long-term use, adjusting to changing physiological conditions and patient needs, thereby enabling both temporary and permanent treatment scenarios.
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 artificial heart achieves efficient blood circulation, mimicking natural heart function with fewer side effects, and is suitable for both temporary and permanent use, addressing the limitations of existing devices.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the plurality of first wires and/or the second wires are configured to compress the first pumping chamber and/or the second pumping chamber, relative to operation of the actuator between the first operating state to the second operating state for receiving fluid into and pumping fluid out of the first pumping chamber and the second pumping chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Present disclosure discloses an implantable total artificial heart. The artificial heart includes a first pumping chamber, a second pumping chamber and an actuator disposed between the first pumping chamber and the second pumping chamber. The actuator is configured to operate between a first operating state and a second operating state. Further, the artificial heart includes a plurality of first wires wound around the first pumping chamber and the actuator, and/or a plurality of second wires wound around the second pumping chamber and the actuator. Each of the plurality of first and second wires are configured to compress the first and second pumping chambers relative to operation of the actuator for receiving fluid into and pumping fluid out of the first and second pumping chamber. The configuration of the artificial heart is compact, improves durability and mimicking the natural movement of a human tissue for reducing stress on blood and resulting in fewer side effects.