Caval Prosthetic Valve With Selective Covering for Tricuspid Regurgitation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current transcatheter devices for treating tricuspid valve insufficiency are complex and difficult to deploy, often requiring multiple components and precise orientation, leading to inefficient and risky surgical interventions.

Innovation Solution

A prosthetic valve device with a stent frame anchored in the superior and inferior vena cava, featuring a partially covered proximal and distal portion with valves, and an uncovered medium portion within the right atrium, allowing for a single, easy deployment that ensures unidirectional blood flow and effective treatment of tricuspid insufficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If current transcatheter devices are used for treating tricuspid valve insufficiency, then treatment can be performed via catheter, but the devices are complex and difficult to deploy requiring multiple components and precise orientation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment simplicityVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functional components (stent frame, proximal valve, distal valve, and atrial portion) into a single integrated transcatheter device. This merging eliminates the need for separate deployment of multiple components and precise orientation procedures, thereby simplifying the deployment process while maintaining comprehensive functionality for treating tricuspid valve insufficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single integrated device performs multiple functions: it provides structural support via the stent frame, prevents backflow at the vena cava interfaces through proximal and distal valves, and manages blood flow within the right atrium through the uncovered portion. This multi-functionality in a single device reduces operational complexity compared to multiple specialized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If current transcatheter devices require precise orientation and multiple components, then treatment coverage is comprehensive, but surgical intervention becomes risky and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidsurgical efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is pre-configured with all necessary functional elements (stent frame, valves, and atrial portion) in their correct spatial relationships before deployment. This preliminary arrangement ensures that upon deployment, the device immediately provides comprehensive treatment coverage without requiring complex orientation maneuvers, thereby maintaining reliability while improving surgical efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

While integrated, the device is designed with distinct functional segments (proximal portion with valve, medium uncovered portion, distal portion with valve) that can be independently optimized. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function effectively, ensuring comprehensive treatment coverage while simplifying the overall deployment process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the stent frame is fully covered with prosthetic material, then sealing is improved, but blood flow freedom in the right atrium is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing qualityVSAvoidblood flow restriction
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The stent frame is selectively covered with prosthetic material only in the proximal and distal portions where sealing is critical for preventing backflow between the vena cavae and right atrium. The medium portion within the right atrium remains uncovered, providing local quality differentiation that ensures sealing where needed while maintaining blood flow freedom where required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The stent frame is divided into three functional segments with different covering characteristics: covered proximal portion for sealing at the superior vena cava interface, uncovered medium portion for free blood flow in the right atrium, and covered distal portion for sealing at the inferior vena cava interface. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between sealing quality and blood flow freedom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4623864A1Prosthetic valve for treatment of tricuspid valve insufficiency
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 MEDIRA GMBH
  • EP4623864A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4623864A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4623864A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device for implantation into the heart of a mammal under longitudinal and rotational freedom of orientation and is intended for treating tricuspid regurgitation. The prosthetic valve device comprises a tubular stent to be implanted into the superior vena cava and inferior vena cava and at least one valve allowing unidirectional blood flow into the right atrium.