Helical Clip for Chordae Stabilization in Heart Valve Repair

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical systems for heart valve replacement and repair are complex, time-consuming, and lack efficient means for temporary valve placement and stabilization, often requiring significant time and resources during surgery, with existing solutions interfering with native valve structures and lacking cost-effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A medical system utilizing a collapsible and expandable artificial valve with a collecting unit for chordae arrangement, allowing for fast and easy positioning and securing of the valve, facilitated by a steerable catheter and clip mechanism, enabling efficient temporary replacement and repair of native valves without interfering with annuloplasty devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If a temporary artificial valve is used to replace a native valve during surgery, then surgical time is reduced and heart arrest time is minimized, but the device construction becomes complicated and requires additional components such as separation units and conduits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical timeVSAvoiddevice construction
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the temporary valve with the chordae collection device into a single integrated unit. The valve is positioned at the native valve location and uses the same delivery catheter and positioning mechanisms as the chordae collection device, eliminating the need for separate separation units and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining short surgical time benefits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The temporary valve serves multiple functions: it provides immediate hemodynamic support by replacing the native valve, acts as a positioning reference for chordae collection, and can be used for both diagnosis and treatment in the same procedure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If more time is allocated for making decisions and preparations during surgery, then quality of valve replacement improves, but surgical time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality of replacementVSAvoidsurgical time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter-based delivery system allows the temporary valve to be prepared and positioned in advance during the same procedure as chordae collection. The valve can be delivered through the same catheter route, and its position can be adjusted before final deployment, providing time for decision-making and optimization without requiring separate surgical stages

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The temporary valve is designed with flexible and adjustable components that can be modified during the procedure. The valve size, position, and orientation can be adjusted dynamically based on intraoperative findings, allowing surgeons to make optimal decisions while maintaining efficient surgical flow

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the artificial valve is placed away from the native valve to avoid interference, then annuloplasty can be performed, but the artificial valve cannot utilize native valve structures for positioning and securing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveannuloplasty compatibilityVSAvoidpositioning and securing
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The temporary valve is positioned within the native valve annulus rather than adjacent to it. The valve nestles into the native valve structure, using the annulus as a reference framework for positioning. This nested arrangement allows both the temporary valve and annuloplasty devices to coexist in the same spatial zone without interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter delivery system acts as an intermediary that precisely positions the temporary valve at the native valve location. The catheter provides a guided pathway through the heart chambers, allowing accurate placement of the valve at the annulus without requiring direct manipulation of the native valve structures, thus facilitating both positioning and subsequent annuloplasty

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3597149B1A medical system with a device for collecting chordae and/or leaflets
Publication Date: 2023.09.13 HVR CARDIO OY
  • EP3597149B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3597149B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3597149B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A medical system is disclosed for replacement and/or repair of a native heart valve, comprising an artificial valve, a catheter, a device for collecting and arranging chordae and/or leaflets to hold and/or stabilize an artificial valve in a desired position, the device comprising a clip (902) being deployable from the catheter to surround the artificial valve and to lock the chordae in position towards the artificial valve, and wherein the clip is shaped as a helix.