Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement via Robotic Port Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Natural heart valves often become damaged due to disease, leading to impaired blood flow, and existing valve replacement methods are invasive, posing risks and requiring large incisions, which can be detrimental to patients.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive method for replacing aortic valves using remotely operated devices and robotic systems, allowing for precise excision of native valve leaflets and implantation of prosthetic valves through small access ports, with the aid of cameras and control devices that translate surgeon movements into robotic tool operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional open-heart surgery is used for valve replacement, then the surgeon can directly visualize and manipulate the valve, but the procedure requires large incisions causing significant tissue damage and longer recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical procedure is segmented into distinct phases: accessing the valve through small ports, visualizing with camera systems, manipulating leaflets with separate grasping devices, and excising with cutting devices. Each function is performed through independent access ports rather than requiring a single large incision, thereby minimizing tissue damage while maintaining operational capability
Solution Approach 2:
A camera system acts as an intermediary to provide visualization of the surgical site without requiring direct line-of-sight access. The camera transmits images to a display system, allowing the surgeon to see inside the heart through small access ports, thereby eliminating the need for large incisions while preserving visual access to the valve
2Manufacturing precision
If remotely operated devices are used for valve excision, then precision is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The remotely operated devices are designed with self-contained control systems that translate surgeon inputs directly into precise device movements. The system includes integrated feedback mechanisms that allow the surgeon to control grasping and cutting functions through a user interface, reducing the need for additional manual manipulation steps and simplifying the overall operational complexity despite the remote operation capability
Data Source
AI summary
A minimally invasive method of implanting a prosthetic aortic valve includes forming a surgical site within a patient's chest that includes a first access port, a second access port, a viewing port and a delivery port. A camera is inserted into the viewing port. The native aortic valve leaflets may each be grasped and removed via tools inserted through the first and second access ports. The prosthetic aortic valve may be delivered through the delivery port to the valve annulus using a delivery device. The prosthetic aortic valve is implanted at the valve annulus and the delivery device is withdrawn. A surgeon may perform the remotely operated steps while viewing images provided by the camera.