Funnel Crimper Tissue Compression for Prosthetic Valve Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
During the crimping process of transcatheter heart valve prostheses, the tissue of the prosthesis can be pinched between the struts of the frame, leading to damage, strut crossing, and infolding, which is a challenge in existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
A funnel crimper with a tissue compressor made of a relatively soft material, such as closed cell foam or rubber, is used to apply a radially inward force to the tissue of the transcatheter heart valve prosthesis, preventing tissue protrusion into the frame and reducing the risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the crimping force is increased to compress the heart valve prosthesis, then the crimping efficiency is improved, but the tissue of the prosthesis is pinched between the struts of the frame causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
A tissue compressor made of relatively soft material (softer than the frame material) is introduced as an intermediary element between the crimping force and the prosthesis tissue. This mediator applies controlled radially inward force to push tissue away from the struts, preventing pinching and damage while enabling effective crimping. The soft material deforms under compression to distribute forces evenly without concentrating stress on the tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The tissue compressor is positioned to contact the prosthesis tissue before the crimping process begins, providing protective cushioning in advance. The soft material acts as a buffer that prevents direct contact between the hard frame struts and the delicate tissue during subsequent crimping operations, cushioning the tissue against harmful forces before they can cause damage.
2Speed
If the crimping force is increased to compress the heart valve prosthesis, then the loading speed is improved, but strut crossing and infolding occur
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue compressor serves as a mediator that maintains proper tissue positioning relative to the struts during high-speed crimping. By continuously pushing tissue radially inward, it prevents tissue from interfering with strut movement, thereby avoiding strut crossing and infolding even when high crimping forces are applied for faster loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The introduction of the tissue compressor changes the force distribution parameters during crimping. It modifies the stress field by adding a radially inward component that counteracts the pinching effect, allowing higher overall crimping forces to be applied without compromising strut alignment or causing infolding.
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 funnel crimper effectively minimizes tissue damage and strut crossing by pushing the tissue inward, ensuring a smooth crimping process and reducing the risk of infolding during the crimping and loading of transcatheter heart valve prostheses.
Implementation Method 1
The tissue compressor comprises a relatively soft material softer than a relatively hard material of the body configured to apply a radially inward force to tissue of a prosthetic valve
Data Source
AI summary
A funnel crimper includes a body having a tapered portion, an extended outflow portion, and a tissue compressor. The tissue compressor is configured to apply a radially inward force to tissue of a prosthetic valve of a transcatheter heart valve prosthesis disposed on an inner surface of a frame of the transcatheter heart valve prosthesis as the transcatheter heart valve prosthesis is advanced through a lumen of the funnel crimper. The tissue compressor may be a ring of relatively soft material extending into the lumen of the funnel crimper or pressurized fluid applied radially inward to the lumen of the funnel crimper.