Dual-Basket Catheter for Valve Leaflet Resection and Flow Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for heart valve replacement surgery fail to efficiently match the size, shape, and configuration of the first replacement valve, resulting in restricted blood flow through the valve, when compared to the flow of blood through the valve, which thereby restricts the flow of blood through the valve, when compared to the flow of blood through the valve, and the second-generation replacement valve is smaller than the first replacement valve. If such a mismatch occurs, the operational efficiency of the valve can be impacted adversely, a condition that is known as “patient prosthesis mismatch”. A second problem that results is that the second-generation replacement valve may not perfectly match the size, shape, and configuration of the first replacement valve, resulting in restricted blood flow through the valve, when compared to the flow of blood that would occur if the second-generation replacement valve permitted a valve opening that was as large as the valve opening permitted by the native heart valve.
Innovation Solution
A heart catheter is provided for removing the soft part of a defective heart valve, comprising a catheter sheath with a proximal and distal end, and a catheter wire with a first and second basket. The first basket is configured to receive the heart valve and has an electrically conductive material for severing the valve leaflets using electrical cauterization, while the second basket is sized to receive one or more leaflets and is movable with respect to the first basket between disengaged and engaged positions to capture and retract the leaflets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the second-generation replacement valve is placed over the first-generation replacement valve, then the valve replacement procedure can be performed without open heart surgery, but the valve opening size is reduced and blood flow is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The first-generation replacement valve is partially resected before implanting the second-generation valve, creating space for the second valve to achieve optimal opening area without being constrained by the first valve structure
Solution Approach 2:
The inner layer of the first-generation valve is extracted or removed to eliminate the constraint that would otherwise limit the opening area of the second-generation valve
2Loss of time
If the second-generation replacement valve is placed over the first-generation replacement valve, then the procedure avoids open heart surgery and heart-lung bypass, but patient prosthesis mismatch occurs due to size and shape mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter system enables dynamic adjustment and precise positioning of the second-generation valve during implantation, allowing optimization of valve size and shape matching to the patient's specific anatomy
Solution Approach 2:
The resection of the first-generation valve is performed selectively in specific areas to create optimal space and configuration for the second-generation valve, rather than uniform removal
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
Enables complete resection of the native heart valve without open heart surgery, allowing for the placement of a first-generation replacement valve and subsequent implantation of a second-generation valve without the need for a heart-lung bypass machine, thereby ensuring proper blood flow and valve size matching.
Implementation Method 1
The first basket is configured to receive the heart valve and has an electrically conductive material for severing the valve leaflets using electrical cauterization
Data Source
AI summary
A heart catheter for removing at least one leaflet of a defective heart valve includes a catheter sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and an interior passageway extending between the distal end and the proximal end. A catheter wire is insertable into the passageway of the catheter sheath, with the catheter wire having a proximal end and a distal end. A first basket is coupled to the distal end of the catheter wire and is sized and configured for being received interiorly of a heart valve. A second basket is coupled to the distal end of the catheter wire and is disposed distally (more aortic) than the first basket. The second basket is sized and configured to interiorly receive one or more valve leaflets and the first basket.