Implantable Cardiac Leaflet Enhancers for Regurgitation Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cardiac valve regurgitation, particularly in the mitral and tricuspid valves, leads to inefficient heart function and requires timely repair to restore competence.

Innovation Solution

Devices and systems that alter the physical and functional properties of cardiac valve leaflets by enhancing or modifying their dimensions, features, and properties to ensure proper closure, including leaflet sections, engaging members, and covering members to improve valve function.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If valve repair or replacement is performed to restore valve competence, then regurgitation is corrected and cardiac function is improved, but the complexity of the medical intervention increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve competenceVSAvoidintervention complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into multiple sections including a first section, second section, and leaflet section, allowing targeted modification of specific leaflet regions while preserving overall valve structure and function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device applies localized enhancement to the valve leaflet through the leaflet section, which modifies only the specific region requiring repair while leaving the rest of the valve structure unchanged, thereby reducing overall intervention complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the physical dimensions and properties of valve leaflets are altered to ensure proper closure, then valve competence is restored, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve closureVSAvoidleaflet dimension precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device modifies leaflet parameters such as length, curvature, and thickness through the leaflet section to achieve proper valve closure, allowing adjustment of multiple geometric parameters simultaneously to optimize closure without requiring extreme precision in any single dimension

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If devices are used to modify leaflet characteristics, then regurgitation is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregurgitation correctionVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device combines multiple functional elements including the first section, second section, and leaflet section into a single integrated structure that performs both mechanical support and leaflet modification functions, thereby reducing the number of separate components needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device sections serve multiple functions: providing structural support, modifying leaflet geometry, and ensuring proper closure, allowing a single device to address multiple aspects of valve incompetence simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250318926A1Cardiac Valve Leaflet Enhancer Devices and Systems

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 EMORY UNIVERSITY

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a device that is configured to be implanted on the native leaflet of a heart valve to increase its length and/or thickness and thereby to improve the valve function and reduce regurgitation. The device may include a leaflet section. The leaflet section may include a central member. The central member may include a first portion, a second portion that opposes the first portion, and a base portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The first section may extend from the first portion and the second section may extend from the second portion. The device may include one or more engaging members extending from the central member at an angle with respect to the first section and the second section. The second section may be larger than the first section. The leaflet section may define a three-dimensional region or a bulge.