Heart Valve Locking Mechanism With Invertible Leaflets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for replacing heart valves are invasive and require significant recovery time, with existing methods often being inefficient or ineffective in treating defective heart valves, particularly in the cardiovascular system.
Innovation Solution
A locking mechanism for a medical implant, comprising a buckle member, a post member, and an actuator element, which allows for the secure deployment and release of a replacement heart valve within the cardiovascular system, enabling percutaneous delivery and minimally invasive procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional open-heart surgery is used for valve replacement, then the valve can be securely replaced, but the procedure is highly invasive and requires significant recovery time
Solution Approach 1:
The replacement heart valve is nested within a delivery catheter system, allowing the entire valve assembly to be delivered through a percutaneous access point. The valve is contained within the catheter during delivery and deployment, eliminating the need for open-heart surgery while maintaining secure valve replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
A delivery catheter system acts as an intermediary device to transport and deploy the replacement heart valve through the bloodstream to the target location. This mediator enables minimally invasive delivery while ensuring proper valve placement and secure anchoring in the heart.
2Reliability
If a complex locking mechanism is used to secure the valve, then anchoring reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into multiple independent components: a buckle member with a body and leg, a post member with a receiving portion, and an actuator element. Each segment performs a specific function, and their coordinated interaction provides reliable anchoring while maintaining modular simplicity for manufacturing and deployment.
3Reliability
If the valve leaflets are securely anchored to the anchor member, then valve function is maintained, but the deployment mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The valve leaflets are pre-assembled and attached to the anchor member components before delivery. The buckle member, post member, and actuator element are pre-configured in the delivery catheter, allowing for simplified deployment at the target site while ensuring proper valve function is maintained throughout the procedure.
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 solution facilitates a minimally invasive method for delivering and deploying a replacement heart valve, reducing recovery time and improving the efficiency of valve replacement procedures, while ensuring secure anchoring and function of the valve leaflets.
Implementation Method 1
the central body portion is configured to flex towards a substantially straight configuration upon proximal translation through the buckle member
Data Source
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AI summary
A locking mechanism for a medical implant (14) may include a buckle member (58), a post member (76) axially translatable with respect to the buckle member (58), the post member (76) including a receiving portion (88) proximate a proximal end of the post member (76), a distal end, a laterally-arched central body portion extending between the receiving portion (88) and the distal end, and a cantilevered leg (84) extending proximally from the distal end, and an actuator element including a proximal shaft portion (52) and a distal engagement portion (56), the distal engagement portion (56) being configured to releasably engage the receiving portion (88) of the post member (76). The proximal shaft portion (52) may be pivotable with respect to the distal engagement portion (56).