Blood Oxygenation Treatment Methods And Devices
Methods and devices for increasing oxygenation levels in the blood supply and thereby treating the condition of hypoxemia. Multiple approaches such as pressure reduction in the pulmonary circulatory system, reducing triggering mechanisms in the main pulmonary artery and restricting flow in the pulmonary circulatory system are disclosed. Interventions associated with those approaches can including shunting, restrictors, compliance devices, pharmacologic substances, etc.
1 . A method of improving oxygen levels in a patient comprising:
conducting oxygen measurements of a patient's blood to establish a baseline oxygen measurement for said patient;
intervening invasively in the native oxygenation process of said patient so as to increase the oxygen present in said patient's blood;
conducting post-intervention oxygen measurement of said patient's blood after said intervention;
comparing said post-intervention oxygen measurement with said baseline oxygen measurement to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention.
2 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the intervening comprises at least one of the following intervention approaches:
pressure reduction in the pulmonary circulation;
reduction in the trigger pressure signal of the pulmonary artery; and,
restriction of flow in the pulmonary system.
3 . A method according to claim 2 , wherein said intervening includes at least one of the following interventions:
shunting of said pulmonary circulation;
denervation of said trigger pressure signal of the pulmonary artery;
restricting flow in one or more blood vessels of said pulmonary system;
introducing compliance into said pulmonary circulation;
introducing pharmacology substances to said patient;
electrically stimulating the cardiac system of said patient; and,
draining the lymphatic system.
4 . A method according to claim 3 , wherein shunting of said pulmonary circulation comprises right-to-right shunting of blood vessels in said pulmonary system.
5 . A method according to claim 4 , wherein said right-to-right shunting comprises shunting flow from the right pulmonary artery to the superior vena cava.
6 . A method according to claim 2 , wherein said denervation includes RF ablation of said pulmonary artery.
7 . A method according to claim 3 , wherein restricting flow comprises placing a flow restriction element into the main pulmonary artery of said patient.
8 . A method according to claim 3 , wherein the introduction of compliance comprises placing a gas-filled balloon into the pulmonary circulation.
9 . A method according to claim 8 , wherein said balloon is disposed in the SVC.
10 . A method according to claim 3 , wherein introducing pharmacology substances includes introducing at least one of the following drugs: Riociguat, Bosentan, Selexipag, Sildenafil and Iloprost.
11 . A method according to claim 3 , wherein electrically stimulating the cardiac system includes pacing the heart to reduce of the pressure generated by the right ventricle.
12 . A method according to claim 3 , wherein draining the lymphatic system includes draining the interstitial spaces of said lymphatic system.
13 . A method according to claim 3 , wherein a combination of two or more of said interventions are performed.
14 . A method according to claim 1 , further comprising iterating said intervening based on the comparing of said post-intervention oxygen measurement with said baseline oxygen measurement.
15 . A method according to claim 14 , wherein the iterating of said intervening is repeated until target oxygen measurement is obtained.
16 . A system for improving oxygen levels in a patient comprising:
a device for measuring oxygen levels in a patient;
a device for intervening invasively in the native pulmonary oxygenation process of a patient;
a device for measuring the oxygen levels of said patient post intervention in the native pulmonary oxygenation process of said patient.
17 . A system according to claim 16 , wherein said device for intervening in the native pulmonary oxygenation process is at least one the following devices: a shunting device; a denervation device; a restricting device, a compliance device, a pharmacology substance; an electrical cardiac stimulation device; and, a lymphatic drainage device.
18 . A system according to claim 17 , wherein said shunting device is an implantable shunt.
19 . A system according to claim 18 , wherein said shunting device is configured for right-to-right shunting.
20 . A system according to claim 19 , wherein said implantable shunt is configured for placement in the right pulmonary artery and the superior vena cava of said patient.