Hinged Loading Tool with Sliding Collar for Prosthetic Valves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tools lack efficiency and precision in loading self-expanding prostheses, such as heart valve prostheses, into catheter-based delivery systems, which can lead to damage during the loading process.

Innovation Solution

A loading tool with a hinged body and a sliding collar, featuring resilient clips with radial protrusions, is designed to facilitate the loading of self-expanding prostheses into delivery systems. The tool transitions between open and closed configurations, ensuring secure locking and protection of the prosthesis during loading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing tools are used to load self-expanding prostheses, then the loading process can be completed, but the prosthesis may be damaged during loading due to lack of secure engagement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprosthesis integrityVSAvoidloading difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The loading tool is pre-configured with resilient clips in an open position that automatically engage with the prosthesis frame during the loading process. The collar is designed to slide over the hinged body and trigger the closing action, ensuring the prosthesis is securely engaged before full loading occurs, thus preventing damage during the loading process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient clips are designed to automatically close and lock when the collar is slid into place, without requiring manual intervention. The radial protrusions on the clips automatically engage with corresponding features on the prosthesis frame, creating a self-securing mechanism that protects the prosthesis during loading while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a secure locking mechanism is implemented to protect the prosthesis, then prosthesis damage is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprosthesis protectionVSAvoidtool structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is segmented into modular components: resilient clips with radial protrusions, a hinged body with defined opening/closing positions, and a sliding collar. Each component performs a specific function, and together they create a reliable locking system. The segmentation allows for simpler individual parts that combine to provide robust prosthesis protection without excessive overall complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The loading tool employs dynamic elements including resilient clips that can flex between open and closed positions, and a sliding collar that transitions the tool between open and closed states. This dynamic design allows the mechanism to adapt during loading while maintaining structural integrity, providing reliable protection without requiring overly complex static structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the loading tool is designed with resilient clips and radial protrusions for secure engagement, then prosthesis damage is prevented, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure engagementVSAvoidtool fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient clips are integrally formed with the hinged body as a single piece, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing and assembly steps for the clips. The radial protrusions are directly formed on the clips during the same manufacturing process. This merging of components simplifies manufacturing while maintaining the secure engagement features necessary for prosthesis protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 loading tool effectively prevents damage to self-expanding prostheses during the loading process, ensuring secure engagement and reliable deployment within the delivery system, while also withstanding high radial loading forces.

Implementation Method 1

Each resilient clip is configured to be displaced radially inwards when a pinching force is applied thereto

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The radial protrusions are configured to lock the loading tool in the closed configuration when the resilient clips are not displaced radially inwards

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical locking: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP4333769B1Loading tools for prosthetic valve devices

Publication Date: 2025.01.22 MEDTRONIC INC

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AI summary

A loading tool to facilitate loading a prosthesis into a delivery system includes a hinged body with first and second body portions and a collar slidingly disposed over the hinged body. First ends of the body portions are attached and second ends of the body portions are not attached. Each body portion includes a resilient clip that includes a radial protrusion. Each resilient clip is configured to displaced radially inwards when a pinching force is applied thereto. The loading tool has an open configuration in which the second ends are radially spaced apart and the collar is disposed over the first ends. The loading tool has a closed configuration in which the second ends are disposed directly adjacent to each other and the collar is disposed over the second ends. The radial protrusions lock the loading tool in the closed configuration when the resilient clips are not displaced radially inwards.