Heart Valve Crimping Sequence for Smaller Delivery Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current prosthetic heart valves face challenges such as large delivery profiles leading to vascular complications, conduction system injuries, crimp-induced leaflet damage, and device failure, primarily due to the limitations in crimping diameter and the risk of damage during the crimping process.
Innovation Solution
The use of a non-simultaneous and/or non-uniform crimping method for the valve frame during the crimping process, which allows for a gradual or stepwise reduction in the frame's outer diameter from one side to the other, facilitating a desired folding pattern of the leaflets and reducing void spaces, thereby minimizing damage and achieving a smaller crimped profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the frame size and thickness are reduced to achieve smaller crimp diameter, then the crimped profile is reduced, but the strength and structural integrity of the device after expansion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The crimping process is divided into multiple sequential stages with different crimping forces applied at different locations along the frame. The distal portion is crimped first with a first crimping force, then the proximal portion is crimped with a second crimping force, allowing progressive compression that maintains structural integrity while achieving small final profile
Solution Approach 2:
The distal portion of the frame is crimped before the proximal portion during the crimping process. This preliminary action on the distal portion prepares the structure for subsequent proximal crimping, enabling the frame to accommodate sequential compression without structural failure
2Productivity
If traditional simultaneous crimping method is used, then the crimping process is simple and fast, but leaflet damage and void spaces increase
Solution Approach 1:
The crimping process is segmented into distinct phases: first crimping the distal portion with a first crimping force, then crimping the proximal portion with a second crimping force. This segmentation allows controlled compression that reduces leaflet damage and void spaces while maintaining acceptable processing time
Solution Approach 2:
Different crimping forces are applied to different portions of the frame at different times. The distal portion receives the first crimping force while the proximal portion receives the second crimping force, creating localized quality control that protects leaflets from uniform excessive compression
Data Source
AI summary
A method of crimping a prosthetic heart valve.