Left Atrial Appendage Closure Framework for Adaptive Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices for closing the left atrial appendage in patients with atrial fibrillation are inadequate in effectively preventing thrombi formation and migration, leading to stroke or heart attack risks.
Innovation Solution
A left atrial appendage closure device with an expandable framework of struts, transitioning through various positions to conform to the atrial appendage geometry, is deployed using a delivery sheath, allowing sequential exposure and expansion to achieve secure sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the expandable framework is fully constrained by the delivery sheath, then the device maintains a compact delivery profile, but the framework cannot expand to conform to the atrial appendage geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable framework is nested within the delivery sheath in a compressed state, allowing the device to maintain a compact delivery profile while being delivered through vasculature. Upon deployment, the framework expands from its nested configuration to conform to the atrial appendage geometry, resolving the contradiction between compact delivery and adaptive expansion
2Adaptability or versatility
If the struts are configured with multiple bends and segments, then the device can conform to complex atrial appendage geometries, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The framework is divided into multiple struts with specific bend configurations, where each strut segment serves a functional purpose in achieving geometric conformity. The segmentation allows the device to adapt to complex atrial appendage geometries while maintaining manufacturability through modular design
3Reliability
If the framework expands to fully unconstrained position, then the sealing effectiveness is maximized, but the risk of device migration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The framework is pre-configured with specific bend angles and segment orientations that guide its expansion into the desired final configuration. This preliminary geometric design ensures that when the framework expands to its unconstrained position, it automatically achieves optimal sealing while maintaining positional stability through its predetermined geometry
Data Source
AI summary
A left atrial appendage closure device may include an expandable framework having a plurality of struts joined at a proximal and distal hub. When the framework is fully constrained in a first position, a first segment of struts extends distally from the distal hub parallel to a central longitudinal axis to a first bend and a second segment of struts extends from the first bend proximally. A first amount of the framework is unconstrained in a second position, where the first segment extends distally from the distal hub parallel to the central longitudinal axis to the first bend, the second segment extends from the first bend proximally and radially outward to a second bend, a third segment of struts extends from the second bend proximally and radially inward to a third bend, and a fourth segment of struts extends from the third bend proximally to within the delivery sheath.