Heart Valve Loading Assembly Tapered Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional crimping devices for collapsing stented bioprosthetic heart valves are cumbersome, difficult to master, time-consuming, and impart undue stress on the valve, while also struggling to securely engage the stent with the delivery device, especially when loading into minimally invasive delivery systems.
Innovation Solution
A loading assembly comprising a compression member with a tapered wall, a support member with a recess, and a constricting member, along with a spacer, which allows for radial compression of the heart valve and secure engagement with the delivery device, minimizing stress and facilitating efficient loading into a minimally invasive delivery system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional crimping devices are used to collapse the stented valve, then the valve can be compressed for loading, but the devices are bulky, difficult to master, time-consuming, and impart undue stress on the valve
Solution Approach 1:
The crimping device is divided into two separate members: a compression member with a tapered bore that applies radial compressive force, and a support member with a recess that provides stable support for the stented valve. This segmentation allows each component to be simpler in design while collectively achieving the crimping function more effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex mechanism to directly crimp the valve, the invention inverts the approach by using a tapered compression member that naturally guides and concentrates the crimping force through its geometry, while the support member provides passive support. This reverses the traditional active-passive role distribution.
2Productivity
If conventional crimping devices are used to collapse the stented valve, then the valve can be compressed, but the process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is prepared in advance with a recess of specific depth to accommodate the stented valve in a predetermined position. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex positioning operations during the actual crimping process, reducing overall procedure time.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression member features a tapered bore with a curved surface that naturally guides the crimping action. This geometric design allows for smoother, more efficient compression compared to flat or angular surfaces, reducing the time and force required to achieve valve collapse.
3Ease of operation
If conventional crimping devices are used to collapse the stented valve, then the valve can be compressed, but undue stress is imparted on the stented valve
Solution Approach 1:
The compression force is distributed locally through the tapered bore of the compression member, which concentrates force at specific points along the valve stent. This localized compression allows for more controlled and uniform stress distribution compared to conventional devices, reducing peak stresses that could damage the valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member acts as an intermediary between the compression member and the stented valve. By providing a stable recess that supports the valve during compression, it mediates the interaction to ensure force is applied evenly and prevents excessive stress concentration at any single point.
4Reliability
If conventional crimping devices are used, then the valve can be loaded, but it is difficult to securely engage the stent with the delivery device
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement function is separated into distinct components: the compression member engages the stent during crimping, and the support member provides stable positioning. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific engagement task, improving overall reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved tapered surface of the compression member and the contoured recess of the support member work together to guide the stent into proper engagement with the delivery device. This geometric design ensures secure engagement through natural mechanical guidance rather than complex locking mechanisms.
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 assembly effectively compresses and secures the heart valve for loading, reducing the time and effort required, minimizing stress on the valve, and ensuring proper engagement with the delivery device, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the minimally invasive procedure.
Implementation Method 1
movement of the support member and the compression member from the initial position to the operative position pushes the heart valve through the open space such that the heart valve is radially compressed by the tapered wall of the compression member
Data Source
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AI summary
An assembly (200) for collapsing a self-expanding prosthetic heart valve (100) includes a compression member (202), a support member (204), a constricting member (300), and a spacer (270) which may be used for smaller sized heart valves. The compression member has a tapered wall (206) between its first open end and its second open end, the tapered wall defining an open space adapted to receive the heart valve. The support member has a base (220) and a recess (226) adapted to receive an end of the heart valve. The support member and the compression member are movable toward one another to compress the heart valve and push it through a relatively small aperture (218) in the second open end of the compression member. The second end (306) of the constricting member is sized to receive the compressed heart valve from the second open end of the compression member for loading into a delivery device (10).