Helical Anchor Prosthetic Valve for Chordae-Safe Transcatheter Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transcatheter procedures for heart valve replacement, particularly for mitral and tricuspid valves, face challenges due to anatomical complexities and patient variability, leading to invasive and time-consuming procedures with risks of damaging chordae tendineae during deployment.

Innovation Solution

A prosthetic valve system comprising a frame structure, valve segment, and anchor, where the anchor is a helical wire that guides the system into position, minimizes chordae entanglement, and secures the valve with a self-expanding or balloon-expandable design, allowing for quick and less-invasive implantation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If existing transcatheter procedures are used for mitral and tricuspid valve replacement, then valve replacement can be performed with less invasive approach, but the procedures become time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveless invasive approachVSAvoidprocedure duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the delivery catheter and anchor into a single integrated assembly that can be deployed simultaneously. The anchor is pre-formed on the delivery catheter in a compressed state, allowing both delivery and anchoring functions to be performed in one procedure step, thereby reducing overall procedure time while maintaining the less-invasive transcatheter approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor is pre-formed and pre-positioned on the delivery catheter before reaching the target valve. The anchor is compressed into a small profile for delivery, then expanded at the target location to engage the valve annulus. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex in-situ formation and reduces procedure time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If existing transcatheter procedures are used for mitral and tricuspid valve replacement, then valve replacement can be performed with less invasive approach, but the risk of damaging chordae tendineae increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveless invasive approachVSAvoidchordae damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor is designed with differentiated regions: a proximal portion for engaging the valve annulus and a distal portion with a larger radius of curvature for safely passing through the valve leaflets and chordae. This local geometric variation allows the anchor to perform its anchoring function while minimizing the risk of damaging the chordae tendineae during deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor incorporates a distal portion with a larger radius of curvature that is specifically designed to navigate around the valve leaflets and chordae without causing damage. This curved geometry allows the anchor to bend and conform to the complex anatomy of the mitral or tricuspid valve region while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of operation

If existing transcatheter procedures are used, then valve replacement is possible, but patient-to-patient flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetranscatheter feasibilityVSAvoidpatient anatomy flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor is designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing it to be compressed into a small profile for delivery through the catheter, then expanded at the target location to engage the valve annulus. This dynamic transformation enables the same device to accommodate different valve sizes and anatomical configurations, providing flexibility across diverse patient populations while maintaining the transcatheter approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 system provides a quicker, less-complicated, and safer method for heart valve replacement, reducing the risk of chordae damage and enabling a variety of valve assemblies to accommodate individual patient anatomies.

Implementation Method 1

the anchor is a helical wire that guides the system into position, minimizes chordae entanglement, and secures the valve with a self-expanding or balloon-expandable design

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHelical expansion: Spring

Implementation Method 2

secures the valve with a self-expanding or balloon-expandable design

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelf-expansion: Shape Memory Alloy

Implementation Method 3

secures the valve with a self-expanding or balloon-expandable design

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBalloon expansion: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3897453B1System for prosthetic cardiac valve devices

Publication Date: 2026.04.08 SHIFAMED HLDG LLC

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AI summary

A heart valve prosthesis for replacing a diseased native valve in a patient, the valve includes a compressible and expandable frame structure and an anchor connected to an outer periphery of the frame structure. The anchor comprises a free end and has a flat spiral shape. The valve may further include a valve segment mounted within the frame structure and expanded with the frame structure. The frame structure may be configured for receiving a valve segment.