Annuloplasty Ring Deformable Joint for Valve Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing annuloplasty rings may not be designed for replacement or supplementation, particularly those made of elastic materials that return to their original shape, which can hinder the optimal deployment of replacement valves due to rigid constraints, leading to suboptimal hemodynamic performance and increased failure risks.

Innovation Solution

The development of annuloplasty rings with deformable portions, such as breakable or flexible hinges, that allow for permanent deformation under expansion forces, enabling the accommodation of subsequent devices like replacement valves and minimizing restrictive forces, thereby facilitating better hemodynamic performance and reducing failure chances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If annuloplasty rings are made of elastic materials to provide structural support, then the ring maintains its shape and provides reinforcement, but the ring returns to its original shape and creates rigid constraints that hinder replacement valve deployment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidaccommodation of subsequent devices

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The annuloplasty ring is divided into multiple body portions (first body portion, second body portion, etc.) connected by deformable portions. This segmentation allows the ring to maintain structural support in rigid body portions while enabling deformation at the deformable portions to accommodate subsequent devices like replacement valves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The annuloplasty ring transitions from a static, fully elastic structure to a dynamic structure with deformable portions that can permanently deform under expansion forces. The deformable portions are configured to break or bend in response to expansion forces, allowing the ring to adapt from a rigid constraint to a flexible structure that accommodates subsequent device deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If annuloplasty rings are made rigid to provide stable reinforcement, then the ring provides stable structural support, but the ring creates restrictive forces that prevent optimal deployment of replacement valves

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidrestrictive forces

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different portions of the annuloplasty ring have different mechanical properties: body portions are made rigid to provide stable structural support, while deformable portions are designed to be flexible or breakable. This local differentiation allows the ring to provide stability where needed while eliminating restrictive forces at the deformable portions, enabling optimal deployment of subsequent devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If annuloplasty rings are designed as continuous structures to provide uniform support, then the ring provides consistent reinforcement around the valve, but the ring cannot be deformed or broken to accommodate subsequent devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniform reinforcementVSAvoiddeformability for subsequent procedures

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous annuloplasty ring is segmented into multiple body portions connected by deformable portions. The deformable portions are configured to break or bend in response to expansion forces, allowing the ring to be deformed or broken to accommodate subsequent devices while maintaining uniform reinforcement through the rigid body portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical properties of the annuloplasty ring are changed at specific locations through the deformable portions. These portions are designed with different mechanical parameters (flexibility, breakability) compared to the rigid body portions, allowing the ring to maintain uniform support while enabling controlled deformation or breaking at specific locations for subsequent device deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 use of deformable annuloplasty rings with breakable or flexible materials allows for the minimization of restrictive forces, enabling optimal deployment of replacement valves and improving hemodynamic performance while reducing the risk of failure due to non-uniform stresses.

Implementation Method 1

The deformable portion is configured to break in response to expansion forces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFracture Mechanics: Fracture Mechanics

Implementation Method 2

The deformable portion is configured to bend in response to expansion forces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic Deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20230346559A1Annuloplasty ring with flexible or breakable joint

Publication Date: 2023.11.02 EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORP

AI summary

A device for treating a heart valve comprises a first body portion, a second body portion, and a first deformable portion situated between the first body portion and the second body portion. The first body portion, the second body portion, and the first deformable portion are configured to be attached to an annulus portion of the heart valve.