Catheter Aortic Valve Stent With Support Arms for Secure Anchoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transcatheter aortic valves rely solely on friction for fixation, leading to risks of migration, displacement, and failure due to complex pathological structures.
Innovation Solution
An aortic valve replacement prosthesis with a radially compressible and re-expandable stent design, featuring support arms and skirts for structural matching with the aortic annulus, eliminating reliance on frictional fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If friction fixation is used to secure the valve stent, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of valve fixation deteriorates due to migration and displacement risks
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm is divided into multiple functional segments: a first support portion for engaging the aortic annulus, a second support portion for engaging the ascending aorta, and a bending section connecting them. This segmentation allows each portion to independently engage with different anatomical structures, providing reliable fixation without complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arm transitions from a simple linear structure to a three-dimensional configuration with bending sections that allow angular adjustment. The first and second support portions can be positioned at different angles relative to the valve stent body, enabling engagement with the aortic annulus and ascending aorta in multiple spatial dimensions simultaneously.
2Manufacturing precision
If simple friction fixation is used, then the manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but the stability of the implanted valve deteriorates due to pulling and pressing forces from the original structure
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm is segmented into distinct engagement portions (first support portion for aortic annulus, second support portion for ascending aorta) that can be independently positioned and engaged. This segmentation allows precise control over the interaction between the support arm and surrounding anatomical structures, maintaining valve stability despite complex pathological changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The bending section of the support arm provides dynamic adaptability, allowing the arm to bend and adjust its configuration based on the specific anatomical conditions of the patient. This dynamic capability enables the support arm to maintain optimal engagement with the aortic annulus and ascending aorta while accommodating variations in pathological structures.
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
Reduces the risk of implant failure by ensuring secure anchoring and minimizing paravalvular leakage, enhancing the success rate of valve implantation.
Implementation Method 1
a radially compressible and re-expandable stent design
Data Source
AI summary
An aortic valve replacement prosthesis that is delivered through a catheter and does not depend only on friction for fixation. According to the device, multiple supporting arms (50) are provided on an intermediate portion (102) of a tubular body (105); the supporting arms are “D”-shaped after full expansion, and are fixed between a narrowest part (73) of the aorta close to the heart and a narrowest part (74) on an aortic annulus (70), so as to achieve sufficient match between the outer surfaces of the support arms (50) and surrounding tissues; each supporting arm (50) comprises three landing areas (54) and two bending sections (59). The present invention can accurately control the position of a valve to be released on the aortic annulus (70), and thus, adverse events caused by existing fixation relying solely on friction are avoided, thereby better curing aortic valve diseases.