Heart Prosthesis Information Markers for Valve-in-Valve Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional heart valve replacement surgeries are highly invasive and pose significant risks, while minimally invasive techniques rely on frictional engagement and lack precise selection of replacement valves based on original prostheses, necessitating improved methods for selecting compatible replacement valves.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of information markers on heart prostheses that provide details such as manufacturer, type, model, size, and date, enabling precise selection and positioning of replacement prosthetic heart valves using clinical imaging techniques.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If percutaneous delivery techniques are used for heart valve replacement, then invasive procedures are reduced, but precise selection of replacement valves based on original prostheses becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveinvasivenessVSAvoidprosthesis identification information
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses radiopaque markers with distinct patterns, shapes, or colors that can be detected by imaging techniques to identify specific prosthesis characteristics. These visual markers enable clinicians to read prosthesis information non-invasively through imaging, resolving the contradiction between reduced invasiveness and loss of identification information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces radiopaque markers as intermediary elements that carry prosthesis information and can be detected by imaging systems. These markers act as a bridge between the physical prosthesis and the clinician's ability to identify it, enabling information retrieval without invasive procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If conventional open-heart surgery is used for valve replacement, then precise selection and positioning of replacement valves is achieved, but patient risk and invasiveness increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve selection precisionVSAvoidpatient risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/open surgical approach with an imaging-based detection system. Radiopaque markers enable precise prosthesis identification and selection through non-invasive imaging techniques, eliminating the need for open-heart surgery while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If frictional engagement is used to maintain prosthesis position, then surgical complexity is reduced, but reliable positioning and selection of replacement valves becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical procedure complexityVSAvoidprosthesis positioning reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates detectable markers that provide feedback about prosthesis characteristics and positioning status. Imaging systems can detect these markers to verify correct prosthesis placement and identify characteristics, enabling reliable positioning without increasing surgical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3788987B1Information markers for heart prostheses
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 GUY S & ST THOMAS S NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
  • EP3788987B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3788987B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3788987B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A heart prosthesis that includes at least one information marker and methods of using the heart prosthesis are disclosed. The at least one information marker can indicate any suitable information associated with the heart prosthesis, e.g., one or more of a manufacturer, type, model, feature, size, and date. And the heart prosthesis can include any suitable prosthesis, e.g., a prosthetic heart valve or an annuloplasty prosthesis.