Heart Valve Docking Frame for Secure Anchoring in Large Anatomy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Transcatheter heart valves often fail to securely expand and anchor within larger native valves or deployment sites due to variations in patient-specific anatomy, particularly in the pulmonary artery, which can be too wide for effective placement.

Innovation Solution

A docking station frame with a plurality of strut portions forming a continuous curved profile, including circumferential and longitudinal struts, that expands to accommodate larger valves and provides a valve seat, retaining portions, and sealing mechanisms to secure the valve in place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a standard transcatheter heart valve is used, then the valve can be delivered via catheter, but the valve is too small to securely anchor in larger native valves or pulmonary arteries

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring securityVSAvoidanatomical size variation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a docking station as an intermediary device between the transcatheter heart valve and the native valve or pulmonary artery. The docking station frame is deployed first to engage with the native valve annulus or pulmonary artery wall, providing a stable anchoring platform. The transcatheter heart valve is then deployed within the docking station, allowing secure fixation even in large anatomical structures where the valve alone would be insufficient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the docking station frame engages the inner surface of the pulmonary artery, then the docking station can be securely retained, but the frame must exert radial force on the vessel wall

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedocking station retentionVSAvoidvessel wall stress

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The docking station frame is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to expand and conform to the pulmonary artery geometry. The frame can adjust its radial engagement force dynamically, maintaining secure retention while adapting to the vessel wall to distribute stress evenly and minimize localized damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The docking station frame utilizes shape memory alloy materials that can change their physical parameters (shape, stiffness) in response to temperature or mechanical stimuli. This allows the frame to transition from a compressed delivery state to an expanded deployed state, engaging the vessel wall with controlled force while maintaining retention security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4401679B1Devices and systems for docking a heart valve

Publication Date: 2025.12.17 EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORP

Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2B

AI summary

A docking station frame for a medical device includes a plurality of strut portions extending from a proximal end to a distal end and forming a plurality of cells.