Adjustable Annuloplasty Ring Catheter Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current annuloplasty rings used for heart valve repair are typically rigid or semi-rigid and cannot be delivered through a catheter, necessitating invasive open-heart surgery, which poses risks and complications for patients.
Innovation Solution
Development of adjustable annuloplasty rings that can be configured in an elongate insertion geometry for catheter delivery and transformed into a rigid or semi-rigid operable geometry for secure anchoring to the heart valve annulus, utilizing shape memory materials like Nitinol and deployable anchors to reduce the valve annulus size and prevent regurgitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional rigid annuloplasty rings are used for heart valve repair, then secure anchoring to the valve annulus is achieved, but invasive open-heart surgery is required
Solution Approach 1:
The annuloplasty ring is divided into multiple discrete anchors that can be independently deployed through a catheter. Each anchor segment can be positioned and secured separately within the valve annulus, enabling percutaneous delivery while maintaining reliable anchoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The annuloplasty ring structure is nested within a delivery catheter in a compressed state, allowing it to be delivered percutaneously through the catheter. Once positioned, the ring expands from its compressed nested state to its functional configuration, achieving secure anchoring without open-heart surgery.
2Ease of operation
If adjustable annuloplasty rings with shape memory materials are used, then catheter delivery is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Shape memory materials are incorporated into the annuloplasty ring structure to enable it to change its physical parameters (shape, rigidity) in response to temperature changes. The material transitions from a flexible compressed state during catheter delivery to a rigid functional state after deployment, enabling percutaneous delivery without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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
Enables percutaneous transcatheter delivery and fixation of annuloplasty rings to heart valves, reducing the need for open-heart surgery and improving valve function by securely anchoring the rings and reducing regurgitation without the need for additional suturing.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing shape memory materials like Nitinol and deployable anchors to reduce the valve annulus size
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for percutaneous transcatheter delivery and fixation of annuloplasty rings to heart valves. An annuloplasty ring includes an outer tube, an inner body member, and an anchor deployment system. The outer tube includes a plurality of windows and has an axis along its length. The internal body member includes a plurality of anchors formed perpendicular to the axis. The anchor deployment system selectively rotates the internal body member with respect to the axis of the outer tube. The rotation deploys the plurality of anchors through the plurality of windows.