Width-Adjustable Cutting Instrument for Aortic Valve Resection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical methods for aortic valve replacement, such as laser cutting and 'aorta punching devices', are inefficient due to lack of precision, potential for calcified particles to enter the bloodstream, and mismatched valve diameters leading to suboptimal fit and impaired blood flow.
Innovation Solution
A surgical cutting instrument with a mechanically adjustable cutting unit, featuring a rotatable cutting blade or punch-die assembly with a flexible foil, allowing continuous diameter adjustment to match varying aortic diameters, ensuring precise fit and minimizing particle dislodgment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If laser technology is used to separate the calcified aortic valve, then the aortic valve can be removed, but the process is very time-consuming and not very precise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces laser technology with a mechanical cutting instrument featuring a rotatable cutting blade that makes a circular incision through the calcified aortic valve. This mechanical approach eliminates the time-consuming and imprecise nature of laser separation while achieving clean, controlled cuts.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting blade is designed to be rotatable around the longitudinal axis of the shaft, enabling dynamic cutting action. This rotational movement allows the blade to efficiently separate the calcified aortic valve tissue in a controlled manner, improving both precision and speed compared to static laser methods.
2Manufacturing precision
If an aorta punching device is used to remove the calcified aortic valve, then the valve can be removed, but chalky particles may come loose and find their way into the blood circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the punching mechanism with a cutting blade that severs the aortic valve through a circular incision. This cutting action avoids the crushing and particle dislodgment associated with punching devices, preventing chalky particles from entering the bloodstream while maintaining precise removal of the calcified valve.
3Manufacturing precision
If a rigid punch head matched with the inner diameter of the aorta is used, then the aortic valve can be removed, but the aortic diameters vary between approximately 15 mm and 35 mm so that a rigid punch head does not have the optimum diameter in the majority of cases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting blade's radial distance from the longitudinal axis is adjustable, allowing the cutting diameter to be adapted to different aortic diameters (15-35 mm). This dynamic adjustment capability enables the instrument to achieve optimal fit for artificial aortic valves across varying aortic sizes, replacing the fixed rigid punch head approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument allows change of the cutting parameter (radial distance of the cutting blade) to match different aortic diameters. By adjusting this parameter, the cutting diameter can be optimized for each patient's specific aortic size, ensuring proper fit of the replacement valve while maintaining versatility across the full range of aortic diameters.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical cutting instrument for transapical aortic valve resection includes a cutting unit arranged on the distal end of a tool shaft and at least one mechanical cutting element for making a circular incision. The at least one cutting element can be adapted, in particular continuously adapted to different aortic diameters by means of a radially movable actuating mechanism.