Diffusion resistant implantable devices for reducing pulsatile pressure
Inventors
Gainor, John • Vollmers, Karl • Scandurra, John • Harder, Lucas • ELAYAPERUMAL, Piramiah
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11331105-B2
Publication Date
2022-05-17
Expiration Date
Abstract
A device for reducing pulsatile pressure within a vessel to treat heart disease, such as pulmonary hypertension, includes a compliant body structured to expand and contract upon changes in pressure within the vessel, a reservoir structured for holding a fluid therein, and a conduit extending between and fluidly coupling the reservoir and the compliant body, wherein the device includes a graphene-polymer composite designed to resist diffusion of the fluid through the device.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a system for reducing pulsatile pressure that includes a reservoir configured to hold a fluid, a transvascular conduit having a proximal region coupled to the reservoir, and a balloon implanted in a vessel and coupled to the distal region of the transvascular conduit. The balloon is configured to contract during systole to move the fluid towards the reservoir and to expand during diastole to thereby reduce peak pressure in the vessel. The balloon is formed from a carbon-polymer composite configured to resist diffusion of the fluid through the balloon, thereby supporting long-term implantation.
In one aspect, the carbon-polymer composite comprises a graphene nanoribbon (GNR). In another aspect, the balloon and at least one of the transvascular conduit or reservoir are formed from a carbon-polymer composite configured to resist diffusion of the fluid through the balloon, transvascular conduit, or reservoir, and the carbon-polymer composite comprises a graphene nanoribbon (GNR) with at most 0.5% by weight of GNR.
The disclosed system further defines diffusion-resistant components using carbon-polymer composites including graphene-family materials such as graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene nanosheets, graphene nanoflakes, graphene nanoplatelets, carbon nanotubes, and buckminsterfullerene, with polymer materials forming a graphene-compounded polymer matrix or graphene arranged between polymer layers. Diffusion resistance is also associated with forming seals and connectors and other reservoir or conduit components from the carbon-polymer composites, as described for implanted cardiovascular assist devices intended to mitigate diffusion-driven loss or uptake of fluids or vapors.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims, each directed to a system for reducing pulsatile pressure using a vessel-implanted, systole-contracting and diastole-expanding balloon coupled to a reservoir via a transvascular conduit, with diffusion resistance provided by specific carbon-polymer composite constructions using graphene nanoribbon (GNR).
Balloon-based pulsatile pressure reduction with diffusion-resistant carbon-polymer composite
A system for reducing pulsatile pressure having a reservoir holding a fluid, a transvascular conduit coupled to the reservoir, and a balloon implanted in a vessel and coupled to the distal region of the transvascular conduit, where the balloon contracts during systole to move the fluid towards the reservoir and expands during diastole to reduce peak pressure, and the balloon is formed from a carbon-polymer composite configured to resist diffusion of the fluid through the balloon.
Diffusion resistance across balloon and conduit or reservoir using limited GNR carbon-polymer composite
A system for reducing pulsatile pressure having a reservoir holding a fluid, a transvascular conduit coupled to the reservoir, and a balloon implanted in a vessel and coupled to the distal region of the transvascular conduit, where the balloon contracts during systole to move the fluid towards the reservoir and expands during diastole to reduce peak pressure, and where the balloon and at least one of the transvascular conduit or reservoir are formed from a carbon-polymer composite configured to resist diffusion of the fluid, the carbon-polymer composite comprising a graphene nanoribbon (GNR) with at most 0.5% by weight of GNR.
Across the independent claims, the core claim coverage is the combination of a pulsatile-pressure reducing balloon that moves reservoir fluid in systole and diastole with diffusion-resistant carbon-polymer composites. The coverage specifies graphene nanoribbon (GNR) as part of the carbon-polymer composite, and in the second independent claim includes diffusion resistance extending to the conduit and/or reservoir with a limitation of GNR content.
Stated Advantages
Reduces peak pressure in the vessel by contracting the balloon during systole and expanding the balloon during diastole.
Resists diffusion of the fluid through the balloon, supporting long-term implantation.
Resists diffusion of the fluid through the balloon, transvascular conduit, and/or reservoir to minimize diffusion-driven loss or uptake of fluids or vapors.
Documented Applications
Treating pulmonary hypertension and/or right heart failure using diffusion-resistant implantable cardiovascular assist devices that reduce pulsatile pressure.
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