Heart Valve Leaflet Capture Device with Pressure Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current percutaneous mitral valve repair systems face challenges in efficiently capturing and aligning mitral valve leaflets, particularly due to the risk of losing captured leaflets and reliance on costly imaging equipment, which increases procedure time and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A heart valve leaflet capture device with diverging gripping elements and actuating mechanisms, including buckling elements and pressure sensors, allows for precise capture and alignment of leaflets, enabling effective fixation and reducing the need for sophisticated imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional percutaneous mitral valve repair systems are used, then leaflet capture can be achieved, but the risk of losing captured leaflets increases and reliance on costly imaging equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates pressure sensors that automatically detect when a leaflet has been captured by monitoring pressure changes, eliminating the need for external imaging equipment to verify capture status. The system self-verifies capture through its own integrated sensing mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces sophisticated imaging equipment with a mechanical pressure sensing system. Instead of using visual or electromagnetic imaging to detect leaflet capture, the device uses direct mechanical pressure measurement to sense when the leaflet is captured between the gripping elements
2Measurement precision
If conventional imaging equipment is used to verify leaflet capture, then capture accuracy can be confirmed, but procedure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensors provide real-time self-verification of capture status during the procedure, eliminating the need for separate imaging sequences. The system continuously monitors capture status and provides immediate feedback without requiring additional time for imaging acquisition and analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure sensing mechanism operates continuously during the capture process, providing ongoing verification without interruption. Unlike intermittent imaging sequences, the pressure sensors monitor capture status throughout the entire procedure, maintaining continuous useful action
3Loss of information
If sophisticated imaging equipment is deployed, then detailed visualization is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes complex electromagnetic imaging systems with a simple mechanical pressure sensing approach. Instead of using X-rays, ultrasound, or other imaging modalities to visualize leaflet capture, the device uses direct mechanical pressure measurement to detect the same event, dramatically reducing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential information function from the complex imaging system. Rather than relying on sophisticated imaging equipment to provide visualization, the patent isolates and uses only the critical pressure information that directly indicates capture status, eliminating unnecessary imaging complexity
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 device facilitates efficient capture and alignment of mitral valve leaflets, reducing procedure time and eliminating the reliance on costly imaging equipment, thereby improving the efficiency and effectiveness of mitral valve repair procedures.
Implementation Method 1
the leaflet gripping elements are movable relative to the transvalve element between a retracted position and a capture position, respectively, by operation of an associated actuating mechanism
Implementation Method 2
pressure sensors, allows for precise capture and alignment of leaflets
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides a heart valve leaflet capture device (250) comprising a cardiac catheter probe having a proximal end for manipulating the device (250) and a distal end terminating in a transvalve element (256). The transvalve element (256) is configured to pass through a heart valve generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the catheter and includes two or three leaflet gripping elements (252). The leaflet gripping elements (252) are individually movable by operation of an associated actuating mechanism (260) between a radially retracted position, in which they are withdrawn with respect to the transvalve element (256), and a capture position, in which they diverge outwardly at an acute angle from the transvalve element (256). In the capture position, each leaflet gripping element (252) defines a convergent capture zone that is directed towards the edges of a target valve leaflet and in which the target valve leaflet may be captured.