Prosthetic Cardiac Valve With Flat-Spiral Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heart valve repair and replacement procedures are invasive, time-consuming, and often damage native anatomy due to the use of anchoring elements that torque or stress the chordae tendineae, and require multiple components delivered sequentially, complicating the process.
Innovation Solution
A prosthetic valve system with a frame structure and anchor having variable stiffness and flexibility, featuring a flat spiral shape with sliding bands and locking mechanisms, allowing for minimally invasive deployment and secure anchoring to the native valve without damaging the chordae tendineae.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional anchoring elements are used to secure the prosthetic valve, then the valve is firmly anchored to the native anatomy, but the chordae tendineae are torqued or stressed and damaged during deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring system is divided into multiple independent capture elements (first capture element and second capture element) that can engage native structures separately, distributing the anchoring force and reducing stress concentration on any single structure including the chordae tendineae
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of rotating the anchor to capture structures (which torques the chordae), the patent inverts the approach by having the anchor expand radially to capture native structures in place, eliminating the harmful rotational torque while maintaining secure anchoring
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are delivered sequentially to perform valve repair/replacement, then each component can be optimized for its specific function, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components (frame structure, prosthetic valve, and anchoring elements) into a single integrated assembly that is delivered through one catheter in a single procedure, eliminating the need for sequential delivery of multiple components while maintaining the functional optimization of each element
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the prosthetic valve, houses the anchoring elements, and enables both delivery and deployment functions, reducing the need for separate specialized components
3Strength
If the anchor has high stiffness in deployed configuration to ensure adequate rigidity for encircling native structures, then secure anchoring is achieved, but the delivery device requires high force and becomes difficult to manipulate
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor exhibits dynamic mechanical properties, transitioning from a flexible, low-profile state during delivery that allows easy manipulation through the catheter, to a rigid, expanded state during deployment that provides adequate strength for encircling and anchoring to native structures
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor is nested within the delivery device in a compressed, flexible configuration that allows easy delivery, then deployed outward to its expanded, rigid configuration to provide anchoring strength, enabling the system to achieve both deliverability and structural integrity
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A heart valve prosthesis for replacing a diseased native valve in a patient, the valve includes an expandable frame structure and an anchor. The anchor comprises a free end and has a flat spiral shape. The anchor comprises a housing, a lumen disposed within the housing, and a plurality of spiral bands translatably disposed within the housing. The valve may further include a valve segment mounted within the frame structure and expanded with the frame structure. The frame structure may be configured for receiving a valve segment.