Backboneless Anchoring Net for LAA Occluder

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current left atrial appendage occluders face challenges with uneven stress distribution and risk of piercing the LAA wall due to local fixation, leading to complications such as pericardial effusion, and difficulties in repeated release and proper occlusion.

Innovation Solution

A backboneless anchoring net with a bi-layer structure, featuring a rolled design and super elastic metal wires or shape memory alloy wires, ensures uniform force distribution and repeated release by accommodating into a transport device, reducing the risk of stress concentration and wall damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a plug structure LAA occluder is implanted deeper into the LAA for fixation, then the fixation reliability is improved, but the risk of piercing the LAA wall increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation reliabilityVSAvoidrisk of piercing LAA wall

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The LAA occluder is divided into multiple anchoring units distributed around its circumference, each capable of independent engagement with the LAA wall. This segmentation allows the fixation force to be distributed across multiple points rather than concentrated at a single deep implantation site, reducing the risk of piercing while maintaining reliable fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The anchoring units are designed with localized barbs or hooks that engage with the LAA wall tissue. This local quality approach concentrates the fixation function at specific interaction points while keeping the overall structure flexible and adaptable to the LAA geometry, preventing excessive force concentration that could cause wall piercing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If barbs are provided on the anchoring disc for fixation, then the anchoring strength is improved, but the risk of complications such as pericardial effusion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring strengthVSAvoidrisk of pericardial effusion

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The anchoring units are designed to be deployable and adjustable, allowing the operator to control the engagement depth and force of each barb with the LAA wall. This dynamic capability enables optimal anchoring strength to be achieved while minimizing the risk of excessive force that could cause pericardial effusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The barbs are designed with controlled dimensions and angles, and their engagement parameters can be adjusted during deployment. By optimizing the barb geometry and deployment force parameters, sufficient anchoring strength is achieved while keeping the interaction force within safe limits to prevent pericardial effusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the occluding disc is made to fit the LAA opening for reliable occlusion, then the occlusion effectiveness is improved, but the difficulty of repeated release increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveocclusion effectivenessVSAvoidease of repeated release

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The anchoring units are designed to engage with the LAA wall at controlled positions that do not interfere with the occluding disc's ability to be released. The barbs are positioned and oriented such that they can remain engaged for anchoring while allowing the occluding disc to be detached and removed if needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device is segmented into the occluding disc and the anchoring units, which are functionally independent. This segmentation allows the occluding disc to be released and removed while the anchoring units remain in place to maintain LAA closure, enabling repeated release attempts if initial occlusion is not satisfactory.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution effectively prevents thrombus formation by uniformly attaching to the LAA, ensuring reliable occlusion and reducing the risk of complications, improving surgical success rates and patient safety.

Implementation Method 1

super elastic metal wires or shape memory alloy wires

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuper elasticity: Pseudoelasticity

Implementation Method 2

super elastic metal wires or shape memory alloy wires

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape memory alloy effect: Shape Memory Alloy

Data Source

PatentUS11026694B2Left atrial appendage occluder

Publication Date: 2021.06.08 HANGZHOU NUOMAO MEDTECH CO LTD

AI summary

A left atrial appendage (LAA) occluder is provided. The LAA occluder includes a sealing disc and an anchoring device, both of which are mutually connected; a part where an LAA cooperates with the anchoring device is an anchoring net, and the anchoring net is of a backboneless structure. The whole anchoring device is of the backboneless structure. The anchoring device is formed by weaving super elastic metal wires or shape memory alloy wires, a distal end of the anchoring device is opened, and a proximal end of the anchoring device is constricted and is connected with the sealing disc to form a conical net. The distal end of the anchoring device is opened and is rolled towards the proximal end to form the anchoring net, and the anchoring net surrounds the conical net. The anchoring net is connected with the conical net through an arc transition area.