Heart Shape Preserving Anchor for Prosthetic Valve

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing replacement heart valves face challenges in securing themselves to intralumenal tissue without causing trauma and in maintaining their position over time, particularly in preserving the natural shape of the heart.

Innovation Solution

An anchoring system comprising a frame with upwardly extending wings and a tether that conforms to the heart's conical shape, allowing for secure attachment and distribution of anchoring forces over a large area, reducing pressure on the heart and minimizing deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If replacement heart valves are secured to intralumenal tissue using conventional anchoring methods, then the valve can be fixed in position, but trauma is caused to the heart tissue and the natural shape of the heart is deformed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve positioning stabilityVSAvoidheart tissue trauma and deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor frame is designed with a conical shape that conforms to the natural geometry of the heart apex, distributing anchoring forces along a curved surface rather than concentrating them at a single point. This curvature-based design reduces stress concentration and prevents deformation of the heart's natural shape while maintaining secure valve positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor frame is divided into multiple segments including a conical body and multiple wings extending from the apex. This segmentation allows the structure to distribute anchoring forces across multiple contact points on the heart surface, reducing trauma to any single area while maintaining overall positioning stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If conventional anchors are used to secure replacement valves, then the valve can be anchored to the heart, but the anchoring forces are concentrated on a small area causing high pressure and potential tissue damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring strengthVSAvoidpressure on heart tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor frame is divided into multiple segments including a conical body and multiple wings extending from the apex. This segmentation allows the structure to distribute anchoring forces across multiple contact points on the heart surface, reducing trauma to any single area while maintaining overall positioning stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor frame is designed with a conical shape that conforms to the natural geometry of the heart apex, distributing anchoring forces along a curved surface rather than concentrating them at a single point. This curvature-based design reduces stress concentration and prevents deformation of the heart's natural shape while maintaining secure valve positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP3720389B1Heart shape preserving anchor

Publication Date: 2024.07.03 EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORP

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AI summary

Embodiments of a heart shape preserving anchor are disclosed herein. The heart shape preserving anchor can include a frame having one or more wings extending from a lower end of the frame. The frame can be sized and shaped to distribute forces over a large surface area thereby reducing pressures applied on the heart. The anchor can include a tether for coupling to a prosthesis, such as a replacement heart valve prosthesis. In some embodiments, the anchor can include a tether adjustment mechanism which can be wirelessly operated to adjust a length of the tether relative to the frame.