Leaflet-Anchored Heart Valve Sealing for Mitral Regurgitation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Damaged heart valves, such as the mitral valve, can lead to valvular regurgitation due to improper closure, which is often caused by leaflet prolapse, dysfunctional papillary muscles, or dilation of the mitral valve annulus, leading to significant cardiovascular compromise.

Innovation Solution

A prosthetic device with two anchor portions that can be independently or simultaneously opened and closed, featuring paddle portions and clasps that secure to native valve leaflets, allowing for precise attachment and correction of regurgitation by adjusting the position of the paddle portions and clasps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If open heart surgery is used to repair damaged heart valves, then effective valve repair can be achieved, but the procedure becomes highly invasive with increased risk of complications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve repair effectivenessVSAvoidinvasiveness and complication risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthetic device is divided into multiple independent components including a coaption element for sealing, multiple anchor portions with paddles for securing to valve leaflets, and a delivery system. This segmentation allows the device to be delivered through a catheter via transvascular approach rather than requiring open heart surgery, thereby reducing invasiveness while maintaining repair effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The prosthetic device acts as an intermediary between the damaged valve leaflets, providing a coaption element that seals the gap between prolapsed leaflets. The anchor portions with clasps serve as intermediaries to securely attach the device to the native valve structure, enabling repair without direct surgical intervention on the valve itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the prosthetic device uses multiple anchor portions with paddles and clasps to secure to native valve leaflets, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device merges multiple functions into a single integrated prosthetic structure: the coaption element provides sealing, the anchor portions provide attachment, and the paddles with clasps provide secure fixation to valve leaflets. This combining of functions into one device reduces the need for multiple separate components and simplifies the overall repair procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor portions are designed to be movable between open and closed configurations, allowing the device to be delivered in a compact state and then deployed to engage the valve leaflets. The paddles can be independently positioned and the clasps opened/closed to secure attachment, providing dynamic adaptability that simplifies implantation while maintaining secure sealing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12551344B2Heart valve sealing devices and delivery devices therefor

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORP

AI summary

An implantable prosthetic device has two anchor portions. Each anchor portion is configured to attach the prosthetic device to a native valve leaflet. The two anchor portions can be opened both simultaneously by a single actuator and can also be opened independently by two or more separate actuators.