Catheter-Based Left Atrial Appendage Ligation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for ligating the left atrial appendage, such as open surgical procedures and catheter-based techniques, pose significant health risks and are not always effective in preventing thrombus formation and embolization in patients with atrial fibrillation, particularly due to the need for general anesthesia and implantation of mechanical devices.
Innovation Solution
A novel catheter-based system that ligates the left atrial appendage on the outside of the heart using a combination of guide and ligating catheters, allowing for precise alignment and placement of a ligating element without the need for mechanical intracardiac devices, thereby avoiding major chest incisions and general anesthesia.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If open surgical ligation of the atrial appendage is performed, then successful ligation is achieved, but the patient requires general anesthesia and chest incision which pose serious health risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical open-surgical system with a catheter-based system that uses fluoroscopic and echocardiographic guidance to deliver a ligating element to the atrial appendage, eliminating the need for mechanical chest opening and general anesthesia
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a catheter as an intermediary device that delivers the ligating element to the target site through the vascular system, serving as a mediator between the operator and the deep cardiac structure, thereby avoiding direct surgical access
2Object-affected harmful factors
If catheter-based mechanical devices are implanted inside the left atrial appendage, then occlusion is achieved without major incision, but clot formation and incomplete occlusion may occur over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ligating element from the intracardiac space by placing it externally on the atrial appendage through a catheter, removing the harmful mechanical device from inside the heart while maintaining occlusion function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by ligating the atrial appendage from the outside rather than placing devices inside, reversing the direction of intervention to eliminate the need for intracardiac mechanical devices
3Reliability
If blood thinners are administered to prevent thrombus formation, then clot prevention is achieved, but substantial health risks are posed particularly to elderly patients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary mechanical occlusion of the atrial appendage before thrombus formation can occur, eliminating the need for ongoing pharmacological anticoagulation and its associated bleeding risks
Data Source
AI summary
A novel catheter-based system that ligates the left atrial appendage (LAA) on the outside of the heart, preferably using a combination of catheters and/or instruments, e.g., a guide catheter inserted into the interior of the left atrial appendage that may assist in locating the left atrial appendage and/or assist in the optimal placement of a ligature or constricting element on the outside of the appendage, and a ligating catheter and/or instrument outside the heart in the pericardial space to set the ligature or constricting element at the neck of the left atrial appendage.