Curved-Cell Implantable Frame for Transcatheter Valve Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation due to improper coaptation caused by physical anomalies or pathologies leads to severe complications, and existing treatments are inadequate.

Innovation Solution

An implantable frame with struts defining non-radially-constrained cells that elongate and curve circumferentially, facilitating delivery through curved anatomy and deploying to support a prosthetic valve, featuring a cylindrical part and atrial part to secure the valve in place and reduce regurgitation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the frame is designed with straight cells in radially-constrained configuration, then the frame structure is simple and rigid, but the frame cannot navigate curved anatomy during delivery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to navigate curved anatomyVSAvoidcell configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature to the cell structures by configuring them to curve circumferentially around the longitudinal axis when transitioning to non-radially-constrained configuration. This allows the frame to navigate curved anatomy during delivery while maintaining structural integrity, directly resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the cells are configured to curve circumferentially around the longitudinal axis, then the frame can navigate curved anatomy, but the axial length of cells must be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to navigate curved anatomyVSAvoidaxial length of cells

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by adding a circumferential dimension to the cell configuration. Instead of merely extending axially, the cells curve around the longitudinal axis, utilizing the circumferential dimension to achieve navigation capability while managing axial length constraints through the geometric relationship between axial and circumferential components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Strength

If the frame is made rigid to support the prosthetic valve, then the valve support function is strong, but the frame cannot be delivered through curved blood vessels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve support strengthVSAvoidability to traverse delivery path

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by designing the frame with configurable cells that can transition between radially-constrained and non-radially-constrained states. During delivery, the cells are constrained to allow navigation through curved vessels; upon deployment, the cells assume their configured shape to provide rigid valve support, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and adaptability through state transition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If the cells are configured with different axial lengths, then the frame can accommodate curved anatomy, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration adaptabilityVSAvoidcell axial length precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the frame into multiple cells with different axial lengths, where each cell is independently configured. This segmentation allows the frame to accommodate curved anatomy through the collective arrangement of cells with varying lengths, while the modular nature of segmentation facilitates standardized manufacturing processes that can maintain precision across multiple cell types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 frame effectively supports a prosthetic valve, reducing regurgitation and minimizing tissue injury during delivery, while enhancing the seal and stability of the native atrioventricular valves.

Implementation Method 1

In transitioning from the non-radially constrained configuration of the frame to the radially-constrained configuration of the frame, at least a portion of the cells are configured to elongate and to curve circumferentially around a longitudinal axis of the frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20260013984A1Implantable frame

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 INNOVALVE BIO MEDICAL LTD

AI summary

Apparatus and methods are described, including placing an implantable frame (20) that comprises struts (98, 99) that define cells (93) into a delivery device (40), such as to cause the frame (20) to transition from a non-radially constrained configuration of the frame (20) to a radially constrained configuration of the frame (20), thereby causing at least a portion of the cells (93) to elongate and to curve circumferentially around a longitudinal axis of the frame (20), such that for each of the portion of the cells (93), a tip (94) of the cell (93) becomes circumferentially non-aligned with a base (96) of the cell (93). The implantable frame (40) is released from the delivery device (40) to thereby cause the frame (20) to transition from the radially constrained configuration of the frame (20) to the non-radially constrained configuration of the frame (20). Other applications are also described.