Left Atrial Appendage Containment Device with Recapturable Anchors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preventing strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation, such as pharmacological therapies and invasive surgical techniques, are inadequate due to side effects, lack of compliance, and risks associated with surgical procedures, particularly for those with compromised conditions.
Innovation Solution
An implantable device with an expandable frame and tissue anchors is designed to contain emboli within the left atrial appendage, featuring a selective arrangement of anchors for enhanced anchoring and recapturability, allowing for easier deployment and retrieval while minimizing the risk of migration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pharmacological therapies are used for stroke prevention, then stroke risk is reduced, but side effects and lack of patient compliance occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the thrombus-containing left atrial appendage from the systemic circulation by placing a containment device at its ostium, isolating the thrombus formation site from the bloodstream and eliminating the need for pharmacological anticoagulation therapy
2Reliability
If invasive surgical techniques are used to obliterate the LAA, then thrombus containment is achieved, but surgical risks and patient suitability limitations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a percutaneously delivered containment device as an intermediary solution between pharmacological therapy and open surgery, achieving LAA obliteration through a minimally invasive transcardial approach that avoids the risks of both extremes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex surgical mechanical systems with a simplified percutaneous delivery system that uses catheter-based deployment mechanisms to implant the containment device, reducing surgical complexity and patient risk
3Reliability
If traditional anchor arrangements are used, then device retention is achieved, but recapture difficulty occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the anchor configuration dynamic by allowing anchors to rotate and reposition during recapture, transforming from a static retention structure into an adaptable mechanism that can be both securely engaged and easily retrieved
Solution Approach 2:
The invention prepares for recapture in advance by designing anchors with inherent rotational capability and positioning features that facilitate easy retraction, built into the anchor structure before deployment
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 device effectively reduces the risk of stroke by containing thrombi in the left atrial appendage, improving patient safety and reducing the need for invasive procedures, while being easier to recapture and less costly.
Implementation Method 1
the struts are biased radially outwardly such that the device expands to an enlarged, implantation cross-section under its own bias following deployment from the catheter
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of barbs or other anchors are provided, for engaging adjacent tissue to retain the device in its implanted position and to limit relative movement between the tissue and the device
Data Source
AI summary
A device for containing emboli within a left atrial appendage of a patient includes a frame that is expandable from a reduced cross section to an enlarged cross section and a slider assembly. There is provided in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention methods of preventing retention anchors from projecting outside of the native diameter of the frame, thus facilitating recapture of the device.