Catheter Stabilizers for Cardiac Valve Leaflet Modification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical technologies lack effective methods for removing clips, cysts, and other structures from valve leaflets, as well as modifying or removing luminal valve leaflets, which is essential for cardiac valve diagnosis and treatment.

Innovation Solution

The development of advanced catheter systems and robotic manipulators that enable precise cutting, grasping, and modification of valve leaflets, allowing for the removal of clips, cysts, and other structures, as well as the reshaping or replacement of valve leaflets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional surgical methods are used for valve leaflet modification, then complete removal of clips and cysts can be achieved, but the invasiveness and recovery time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplete removal of clips and cystsVSAvoidinvasiveness and recovery time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical surgical instruments with a catheter-based system that uses RF energy and mechanical cutting elements delivered through a catheter to remove clips and cysts from valve leaflets, enabling minimally invasive access while maintaining effective tissue modification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a catheter as an intermediary device that delivers cutting and modification tools to the valve leaflet through the bloodstream, avoiding direct surgical access and reducing trauma to surrounding tissues while enabling precise removal of unwanted structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If precise cutting and modification of valve leaflets is performed, then diagnostic and treatment outcomes improve, but the complexity of the procedure and device requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecise cutting and modification of valve leafletsVSAvoidcatheter system and robotic manipulator complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple functions into a single catheter system, combining RF energy delivery, mechanical cutting, grasping, and tissue modification capabilities within one device platform, reducing the need for multiple separate instruments while maintaining precise control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the catheter system into modular components including the catheter body, robotic manipulator, cutting elements, and energy delivery systems, allowing each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system precision and control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250057594A1Devices and methods for performing procedures on cardiac tissue

Publication Date: 2025.02.20 TRANSMURAL SYSTEMS LLC

AI summary

The disclosure provides an elongate tissue dissection and removal catheter having a length and defining a longitudinal axis along the length of the catheter. The tissue dissection and removal catheter includes an outer tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and defining an elongate passage therethrough along its length, and a subassembly slidably disposed in the elongate passage of the outer tubular member. The subassembly includes first and second deployable stabilizers configured to expand in lateral width along a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis when unconstrained by the outer tubular member. Each stabilizer can define a curved free distal end that is configured to be received within a cusp of a respective cardiac valve leaflet.