Contoured Prosthetic Heart Valve Sewing Ring for Mitral Annulus Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing prosthetic heart valves do not adequately conform to the unique anatomy of the mitral annulus, leading to suboptimal implantation and potential trauma or abrasion due to improper fit and alignment.
Innovation Solution
A contoured sewing ring with axially-raised portions on the outflow end, designed to match the mitral annulus's anterior aspect, providing variable compliance and improved attachment to the annulus, allowing for better alignment and reduced trauma during implantation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standard circular sewing ring is used for mitral valve implantation, then the valve can be easily manufactured and implanted, but it does not conform to the malformed D-shape and variable compliance of the mitral annulus, leading to improper fit and potential trauma
Solution Approach 1:
The sewing ring incorporates axially-raised portions at specific locations (anterior aspect corresponding to trigones) to provide localized structural features that match the mitral annulus anatomy. This allows different parts of the sewing ring to have different heights and compliance characteristics, enabling better conformity to the malformed D-shape of the mitral annulus while maintaining overall structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The sewing ring transitions from a standard circular symmetric design to an asymmetric contoured design with axially-raised portions. This asymmetric structure better matches the malformed D-shape of the mitral annulus, which has different compliance characteristics at different locations (more compliant posteriorly, less compliant anteriorly at the trigones)
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sewing ring is made uniformly compliant, then it can easily conform to the annulus, but it cannot provide sufficient structural support at the anterior aspect where the trigones are located
Solution Approach 1:
The axially-raised portions are strategically positioned at the anterior aspect where the trigones are located to provide localized structural support and rigidity. The remaining portions of the sewing ring maintain lower compliance to allow conformity to the mitral annulus. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between needing support at specific locations and overall adaptability
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A sewing ring for a prosthetic heart valve comprising a suture-permeable annular member arranged about an axis defining an inflow-outflow direction, the annular member having variable compliance around its circumference.