Left Atrial Appendage Occluder Hinge for Adjustable Placement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantable devices for occluding the left atrial appendage lack adjustability and visibility, making it difficult to achieve optimal positioning and anatomical compatibility due to variability in ostium size and volume, and limited imaging capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with an occluder portion, anchor portion, and hinge components, where the occluder portion is coupled to a hub with radially extending frame segments, and the anchor portion is pivotably coupled to the occluder portion via hinge components, allowing for adjustable positioning and enhanced visibility through radiopaque markers for optimal placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If current implantable devices are used to occlude the left atrial appendage, then the device can be implanted percutaneously, but the device cannot be adjusted after anchoring and has limited visibility during imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the anchor portion pivotably coupled to the occluder portion via hinge components, allowing the device to be adjusted to different angles and positions after implantation. This dynamic coupling enables the physician to optimize the device positioning within the left atrial appendage while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
2Measurement precision
If current implantable devices are used to occlude the left atrial appendage, then the device can be delivered percutaneously, but the device has limited visibility with imaging techniques for recognizing optimal position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the color changes principle by incorporating radiopaque markers into the device structure. These markers appear as distinct radiopaque structures during fluoroscopic imaging, enabling the physician to precisely visualize the device position, orientation, and deployment status. The markers provide high contrast against the surrounding tissue, allowing for accurate assessment of device placement without adding significant structural complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If current implantable devices are used to occlude the left atrial appendage, then the device can address atrial fibrillation risk, but the device cannot accommodate variability in ostium size and volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by enabling the anchor portion to pivot relative to the occluder portion, allowing the device to adapt to different anatomical configurations including variations in ostium size and volume. This pivotable connection permits the device to be positioned at optimal angles for patients with diverse left atrial appendage geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the parameter changes principle by allowing adjustment of the device orientation and position through the hinge components. This enables modification of critical parameters such as the angle of insertion, depth of deployment, and orientation of the occluder portion to match the specific anatomical parameters of each patient's left atrial appendage.
Data Source
AI summary
Medical devices, systems and methods for occluding a left atrial appendage of a heart are provided. In one embodiment, the medical device includes an occluder portion and an anchor portion that are pivotably coupled to each other with hinge components. The hinge components each include a base with arms extending from the base such that the arms of each one of the hinge components extend through and capture a first eyelet of the occluder portion and a second eyelet of the anchor portion to facilitate pivotably coupling the anchor portion to the occluder portion.