Cardiac Valve Sutures with Color Coding for Orientation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current minimally invasive cardiac valve replacement techniques face challenges in securely attaching valved venous segments or tubular valve bodies to stents, particularly in preventing inward bowing and ensuring correct orientation during implantation.
Innovation Solution
An improved suturing technique is employed to attach the valved venous segment or tubular valve body to the stent by distributing sutures at all or substantially all angled portions, using colored sutures to differentiate between inflow and outflow ends for correct orientation, and incorporating additional sutures at sinus areas to secure the valve body to the stent framework.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sutures are distributed at all or substantially all angled portions of the stent, then the attachment security is improved and inward bowing is prevented, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stent framework is segmented into multiple angled portions with identified bases, allowing systematic placement of sutures at discrete locations rather than continuous attachment. This segmentation enables secure attachment at critical points while simplifying the overall suturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent identifies and marks the bases of angled portions on the stent framework before suturing. This preliminary action provides clear guidance for suture placement, ensuring consistent and accurate attachment at all angled portions without requiring complex real-time decision-making during the suturing process.
2Ease of operation
If colored sutures are used to differentiate inflow and outflow ends, then the ease of operation is improved during implantation, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color-coded sutures (e.g., blue for inflow end, red for outflow end) to provide immediate visual identification of valve orientation. This simple color-coding system eliminates the need for complex marking systems or additional components, achieving ease of operation with minimal manufacturing impact.
3Stability of the object's composition
If additional sutures are placed at sinus areas, then the structural stability is improved, but the manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies additional sutures specifically at sinus areas where structural support is most needed, rather than uniformly distributing sutures throughout the entire valve structure. This localized approach provides enhanced structural stability at critical points while minimizing the total number of sutures required, thus reducing manufacturing time.
Data Source
AI summary
A prosthetic valve including a replacement valve having a tubular valve body wall, an expandable stent having a framework with first and second ends, and suturing holding the framework to the valve body at the first and second ends. The suturing at the first end is colored differently from the suturing at the second end.