Conically Expandable Mitral Valve Implant for Rapid Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mitral valve repair methods, such as open heart surgery and transcatheter approaches, are invasive, time-consuming, and pose risks, while existing implants for mitral valve regurgitation require lengthy actuation times, increasing surgical complications.
Innovation Solution
A conically expandable implant with a fastener, crowns, and anchors that facilitate rapid actuation by rotating a top portion to move a nut, reducing stress on the tissue and allowing for quick reshaping and reconnection of mitral valve leaflets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional open heart surgery is performed for mitral valve repair, then the valve can be repaired, but the procedure is invasive, painful, and has slow recovery time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical open heart surgery approach with a transcatheter-based device that delivers repair functionality through a less invasive catheter insertion, eliminating the need for chest opening while achieving the same valve repair objective
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a transcatheter delivery system as an intermediary mechanism that carries the repair device through the bloodstream to the mitral valve location, serving as a non-invasive bridge between the operator and the target valve without requiring direct surgical access
2Productivity
If transcatheter approach is used for mitral valve repair, then operation time is reduced, but existing implants require lengthy actuation time increasing surgical complications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a pre-loaded expandable mesh structure that is prepared in advance within the delivery catheter, allowing immediate expansion and engagement with the mitral valve annulus upon deployment, eliminating the need for time-consuming on-site construction or actuation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the repair device into modular components including a delivery catheter, an expandable mesh scaffold, and supporting elements, allowing the device to be transported in a compact form and then rapidly assembled at the target site through controlled expansion of the mesh segments
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 implant efficiently reduces mitral valve regurgitation by quickly reshaping the annulus, minimizing tissue damage and surgical time, making it suitable for patients ineligible for invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The top portion is rotated in a predefined direction leading to upward movement of the nut in order to actuate the implant
Data Source
AI summary
An implant (100) for treatment of regurgitation in a mitral valve (100) is disclosed. The implant (100) comprising at least one fastener (50) including a top portion (52) and a shank (54). The top portion (52) including a ring (51a) and a plurality of crowns (60). The crowns (60) include a primary arm (61) and a secondary arm (63), the primary arm (61) being longer than the secondary arm (63). The ring (51a) is attached at a proximal end (51) of the shank (54) and a nut (53a) is attached at a distal end (53) of the shank (54). The primary arm (61) is attached to the ring (51a) and the secondary arm (63) is attached to the nut (53a). The top portion (52) is rotated in a predefined direction leading to upward movement of the nut (53a) in order to actuate the implant (100).