Cardiac Annulus Cord Fastener With Integrated Locking and Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for affixing and constraining a constricting cord to a cardiac valve annulus are labor-intensive and inefficient, particularly in terms of knot-tying, crimp-based fasteners, and cord-cutting processes.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a housing with a distal portion, a shelf, and a cutting element with a slit-shaped distal portion, along with a fastener that can lock the cord in place and a mechanism for cutting the cord efficiently, allowing for the reduction of the cord diameter and secure fastening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prior art knot-tying methods are used to fasten cord segments, then the cord can be secured, but the process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual knot-tying mechanical system with a mechanical fastening system consisting of a fastener body, movable member, and cam mechanism. The movable member transitions between locked and unlocked positions through cam engagement, automatically securing cord segments without requiring manual knot-tying operations, thus reducing time while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening mechanism is designed to be self-securing through the cam and movable member interaction. Once the movable member is actuated to the locked position, the cam geometry automatically maintains the locked state without requiring continuous manual intervention or complex tying procedures, enabling quick and reliable fastening
2Reliability
If crimp-based fasteners are used to prevent cord slippage, then cord security is improved, but the fasteners must be relatively large in size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a cam mechanism with curved geometry that converts rotational or linear motion into locking force. The cam's curved surface creates mechanical advantage, generating sufficient friction and normal force to prevent cord slippage within a compact fastener body, eliminating the need for large crimp-based structures
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener uses a movable member that can dynamically transition between locked and unlocked states. This dynamic mechanism allows the fastener to apply concentrated locking forces precisely where needed to secure the cord, achieving reliable slippage prevention without requiring the fastener to be uniformly large in size
3Ease of manufacture
If prior art methods are used to cut the cord, then the cord can be severed, but the cutting process becomes labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the cutting function directly into the fastener assembly by incorporating a cutting element that works in conjunction with the movable member and cord positioning structure. This merged design allows the cutting action to occur automatically as part of the fastening sequence, eliminating separate manual cutting operations and significantly improving cutting efficiency
4Reliability
If a fastener system is designed to securely hold constricted cord, then fastening reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is divided into distinct functional segments: a fastener body for structural support, a movable member for actuation, a cam mechanism for locking, and a cutting element for cord severing. Each segment performs a specific function, and their modular arrangement achieves reliable fastening through coordinated interaction rather than through a single complex structure
Data Source
Figure 1A~3B
Figure 4A~6
Figure 7A~7C
AI summary
A cord that has been previously affixed around an annulus can be fastened using a sliding member that locks into a housing. Before those two parts are locked together, the cord is free to slide through a channel in the sliding member, and a shear pin prevents the sliding member from moving. After those two parts are locked together, portions of the cord are squeezed between the upper surface of the sliding member and one wall of the housing, and other portions of the cord are squeezed between the lower surface of the sliding member and another wall of the housing, so that the cord can no longer slide. After locking, a sliding cutting element can be actuated to cut off portions of the cord that are proximal with respect to the two locked parts.