Prosthetic Aortic Valve Pacing via Inductive Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) often results in new-onset cardiac conduction disturbances, particularly left bundle branch block (LBBB), due to the lack of efficient force distribution and pacing capabilities in existing prosthetic aortic valves.
Innovation Solution
A prosthetic aortic valve system with a frame shaped to define inflow, outflow, and constriction portions, featuring prosthetic leaflets coupled to the constriction portion, and integrated electrodes and a prosthetic-valve coil for pacing, along with a non-implantable unit for energy transmission and cardiac parameter detection, enabling improved force distribution and pacing signal adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a prosthetic aortic valve is implanted via TAVI, then valve replacement is achieved, but new-onset cardiac conduction disturbances occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating pacing electrodes and a prosthetic-valve coil into the valve structure before implantation. The system enables pre-programmed pacing signals to be delivered to specific cardiac conduction pathways (such as the bundle of His or Purkinje fibers) immediately upon valve deployment, preventing the development of conduction disturbances like LBBB rather than treating them after they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a prosthetic-valve coil that acts as a mediator between the implanted valve and the heart's conduction system. This coil, when activated by an external magnet, generates magnetic fields that induce electrical currents in the myocardium, serving as an intermediate mechanism to modulate cardiac conduction and prevent harmful electrical disturbances without direct electrical contact.
2Reliability
If existing prosthetic aortic valves are used, then valve function is provided, but efficient force distribution is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the force transmission function into multiple components: the frame structure segments the mechanical load, while the integrated electrodes and prosthetic-valve coil segments the pacing function. The frame is designed with specific structural features that distribute horizontal forces away from the commissures to the aortic wall, preventing force concentration at critical points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry in the frame design, particularly in how the prosthetic leaflets are coupled to the frame at asymmetric positions. This asymmetric coupling allows for optimized force distribution patterns that redirect horizontal forces to more favorable anatomical locations on the aortic wall, rather than symmetrically distributing them to the commissures where tissue is more vulnerable.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a prosthetic aortic valve with pacing capabilities is implanted, then pacing control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing a passive prosthetic-valve coil that requires no internal power source or active electronics within the implanted valve. The coil is magnetically coupled to an external permanent magnet, allowing the valve structure itself to serve as the pacing device. The external magnet provides the necessary magnetic field to induce pacing currents, eliminating the need for complex battery systems, generators, or active electronic control circuits within the valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/electrical pacing system (requiring batteries, generators, and complex circuitry) with a magnetic field-based system. The prosthetic-valve coil, when exposed to an external magnetic field from a permanent magnet, generates electrical currents through electromagnetic induction. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical and electrical components, reducing device complexity while maintaining versatile pacing control capabilities.
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 system reduces horizontal forces on valve commissures, efficiently transmits pacing signals, and minimizes cardiac conduction disturbances, enhancing the stability and functionality of the prosthetic aortic valve.
Implementation Method 1
activating delivery-system control circuitry to drive a delivery-system coil to wirelessly transfer energy, by inductive coupling, to the prosthetic-valve coil
Implementation Method 2
activating external-unit control circuitry of an external unit to drive an external-unit coil to wirelessly transfer energy, by inductive coupling, to the prosthetic-valve coil
Data Source
AI summary
A valve prosthesis system includes a prosthetic aortic valve and a non-implantable unit. The prosthetic aortic valve includes a plurality of prosthetic leaflets; a frame; a cathode and an anode, which are mechanically coupled to the frame; and a prosthetic-valve coil, which is in non-wireless electrical communication with the cathode and the anode. The prosthetic aortic valve does not include any active electronic components. The non-implantable unit includes an energy-transmission coil; sensing skin ECG electrodes; and non-implantable control circuitry, which drives the cathode and the anode to apply a pacing signal to a heart, detect at least one cardiac parameter using the sensing skin ECG electrodes, and, at least partially responsively to the detected cardiac parameter, to set parameters of the pacing signal, by wirelessly transferring energy from the energy-transmission coil to the prosthetic-valve coil by inductive coupling. Other embodiments are also described.