Atrioventricular Valve Implant With Atrial-Wall Resting Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implants for improving coaptation of atrioventricular valves face instability due to high dynamic loads, which can cause tilting and potential injury to adjacent heart tissues, and often require invasive surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
An implant with a support structure fixed to the annulus or leaflets, featuring a resting element that rests against the atrial wall for enhanced stability, and includes retention means to prevent leaflet prolapse, using compressible materials and shape-memory alloys for secure anchoring and deployment via minimally invasive methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing implants are used to improve coaptation of atrioventricular valves, then valve coaptation is improved, but stability deteriorates due to high dynamic loads causing tilting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third spatial dimension by extending the implant into the atrial cavity with a resting element that contacts the atrial wall. This additional dimensional support prevents tilting and instability caused by high dynamic loads, while maintaining improved valve coaptation through the original support structure.
2Reliability
If existing implants are used to improve coaptation, then valve function is improved, but harmful factors increase due to potential injury to adjacent heart tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The resting element acts as an intermediary between the implant and the atrial wall, distributing mechanical loads and preventing direct contact between the implant and adjacent heart tissues. This mediator function reduces the risk of tissue injury while maintaining improved valve function.
Solution Approach 2:
The resting element provides beforehand cushioning by contacting the atrial wall in advance, creating a protective buffer that prevents the implant from tilting and potentially injuring adjacent tissues during high dynamic load events.
3Reliability
If invasive surgical procedures are used for implant deployment, then secure anchoring is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The implant incorporates shape-memory alloy materials that dynamically change their mechanical properties in response to temperature changes during deployment. The device transitions from a compressed low-strength state for minimally invasive delivery to an expanded high-strength state for secure anchoring, eliminating the need for invasive surgical procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in shape-memory alloy materials, where temperature-induced phase transitions alter the mechanical strength and rigidity of the implant. This allows the device to be deployed through minimally invasive catheter-based procedures while achieving secure anchoring equivalent to or exceeding traditional surgical methods.
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 implant provides stable coaptation of atrioventricular valves, reducing the risk of leaflet prolapse and tissue injury while allowing for minimally invasive deployment and long-term stability.
Implementation Method 1
the support structure is made of a shape-memory alloy, in particular nitinol
Implementation Method 2
the support structure comprises a compressible material
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an implant for improving coaptation of an atrioventricular valve in a heart, the atrioventricular valve having a native first leaflet, a native second leaflet and optionally an annulus adjacent a wall of an atrium of the heart, the implant comprising a support structure configured to be arranged on and fixed to the annulus or to at least one of the first and second native leaflets, the implant further comprising retention means fixed to the support structure so as to prevent prolapse of the at least one native leaflet, whereby the support structure comprises a resting element that is configured to rest against the wall of the atrium adjacent the valve.