Embolic Protection Filter for Percutaneous Heart Valve Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current percutaneous heart valve replacement procedures face challenges in preventing emboli from migrating into the carotid arteries, which can lead to stroke and other adverse events, especially during less invasive procedures that do not employ cardiopulmonary bypass.
Innovation Solution
The development of embolic protection devices and methods involving filtration systems with filter elements placed in the carotid arteries to capture emboli, using separate or combined delivery devices, including catheters with expandable structures and guide structures, to ensure emboli are filtered out before they reach the brain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If percutaneous heart valve replacement procedures are performed without cardiopulmonary bypass, then recovery time and patient risk are reduced, but emboli can migrate into carotid arteries causing stroke and adverse events
Solution Approach 1:
A filtration device is introduced as an intermediary element between the heart valve replacement procedure and the carotid arteries. The device includes a filter positioned in the aorta that captures emboli before they can migrate into the carotid arteries, while allowing blood flow to continue. This intermediary filtration system enables less invasive procedures without cardiopulmonary bypass while protecting against embolic events.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtration device is deployed before the heart valve replacement procedure begins. The filter is positioned in advance in the aorta to prevent emboli from entering the carotid arteries during the upcoming procedure. This preliminary protective measure allows the procedure to proceed safely without cardiopulmonary bypass by having embolic protection already in place.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If filter elements are placed in carotid arteries to capture emboli, then embolic protection is improved, but device complexity and procedure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration system is segmented into modular components including a filter element, delivery catheter, and retrieval mechanisms. The filter itself is divided into a framework and filtering material portions. This segmentation allows for simplified deployment and retrieval while maintaining effective emboli capture capability in the carotid arteries.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If separate protective devices are used for left and right common carotid arteries, then embolic protection coverage is improved, but device complexity and procedure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple protective functions into a single integrated filtration device. A single filter element positioned in the aorta provides protection for both the left and right common carotid arteries simultaneously. Alternatively, the device can be configured with multiple filter portions that work together from a single deployment point, reducing the number of separate devices needed while maintaining comprehensive embolic protection coverage.
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
These filtration systems effectively reduce the risk of emboli reaching the brain during heart valve replacement and similar procedures, making less invasive methods safer alternatives to open heart surgery by maintaining blood flow while preventing embolic events.
Implementation Method 1
positioning one or more filter elements to filter flow into the right carotid artery, such as the right common carotid artery or the right interior carotid artery, and the left carotid artery, such as the left common carotid artery or the left interior carotid artery
Data Source
AI summary
Various devices are described to provide filtering of flow from the aorta to the left carotid artery and the right carotid artery. The filters can be brought into a desired position through one or more peripheral arteries. A single filter device can provide the desired filtering or a plurality of devices can be used. In particular a single filter device can span between the brachiocephalic artery and the left carotid artery. These filter devices can be used effectively to capture emboli generated during procedures on the heart so that emboli do not travel to the patient's brain where the emboli can cause a stroke or other adverse event. In particular, these filters can be used during percutaneous procedures on the heart, such as endovascular heart valve replacement.