Magnetic Mitral Valve Annulus Remodeling System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mitral regurgitation, particularly ischemic mitral regurgitation, leads to significant clinical challenges due to inadequate closure of the mitral valve, causing excessive blood leakage and contributing to left ventricular overload and dysfunction, which existing treatments struggle to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for remodeling the mitral valve annulus using magnetic forces and adjustable rods and wires to resize the annulus, ensuring better leaflet coaptation and reducing regurgitation, involving ferromagnetic bars and inductors to apply controlled magnetic forces for annular resizing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stringent restrictive rings are used in valve annuloplasty to improve leaflet coaptation, then regurgitation decreases, but device complexity and risk of adverse geometric changes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical restrictive rings with a magnetic field-based system. Inductors generate magnetic fields that interact with ferromagnetic bars embedded in the annulus, eliminating the need for physical constriction devices and their associated complexities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ferromagnetic bars as intermediary elements between the magnetic field sources (inductors) and the annular tissue. These bars serve as mediators that transmit magnetic forces to remodel the annulus geometry without direct mechanical contact
2Reliability
If restrictive rings are used to decrease regurgitation, then leaflet coaptation improves, but left ventricular volume and wall stress may be adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field-based system replaces mechanical restriction, allowing gradual and controlled remodeling of the annulus that can be optimized to maintain favorable ventricular geometry and wall stress conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic adjustment of the magnetic field strength and configuration through controllable inductors, allowing the remodeling process to be adapted in real-time to maintain optimal ventricular mechanics during treatment
3Manufacturing precision
If manual adjustment mechanisms are added to enable precise annulus resizing, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment mechanisms with electronically controlled magnetic fields. The inductors can be programmed to generate precise magnetic forces that achieve accurate annular resizing without complex mechanical adjustment components
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves precise control by changing magnetic field parameters (strength, duration, configuration) rather than relying on mechanical adjustments. This allows fine-tuned control of the remodeling process through electromagnetic parameter optimization
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
This approach effectively reduces mitral regurgitation by improving leaflet coaptation, diminishing left ventricular volume and stress, and promoting reverse remodeling, thereby improving clinical outcomes for patients with mitral valve insufficiency.
Implementation Method 1
adjust the size of a valve annulus using magnetic forces
Implementation Method 2
a first ferromagnetic bar at the first end, a second ferromagnetic bar at a second end, and a third ferromagnetic bar between the first end and the second end
Implementation Method 3
a first wire having a first end and a second end, a portion of the first wire being coiled around the first rod... The first wire and the first rod are capable of forming a first inductor
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for remodeling the annulus of a valve are disclosed. At least some embodiments disclosed herein are useful for resizing the mitral valve annulus in a safe and effective way. Such remodeling can be used to treat mitral valve regurgitation. At least some of the disclosed embodiments adjust the size of a valve annulus using magnetic forces. Other embodiments may include mechanisms for the manual adjustment of the annulus.