Microanchor-Based Annuloplasty Ring Implantation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for mitral regurgitation, often caused by malformation of the mitral annulus, require invasive open heart surgery and are not always effective in preventing blood from flowing back into the left atrium, leading to congestive heart failure.
Innovation Solution
The development of systems and methods for implanting an annuloplasty ring at the mitral annulus using microanchors and sutures, which allow for precise positioning and deployment of the ring to reshape and stabilize the annulus, thereby preventing regurgitation without the need for extensive surgical intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If open heart surgery is used to implant annuloplasty rings, then the ring can be securely fixed to the mitral annulus, but the surgical risk and invasiveness increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the critical fixation function from the complex open heart surgery procedure by using microanchors that can be deployed independently through catheter-based delivery. The microanchors are separated from the annuloplasty ring and delivered separately, then engaged with the ring to provide secure fixation without requiring full surgical exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The microanchors serve as intermediary elements between the catheter delivery system and the annuloplasty ring. They are deployed first through minimally invasive catheter access, then the annuloplasty ring is positioned and secured to these pre-placed microanchors, bridging the gap between percutaneous delivery and secure mechanical fixation.
2Reliability
If traditional suture-based fixation is used, then the annuloplasty ring can be attached to the mitral annulus, but the implantation time and procedural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The microanchors are deployed and positioned in the mitral annulus tissue before the annuloplasty ring is introduced. This preliminary placement creates pre-prepared attachment points that significantly accelerate the subsequent ring fixation process, eliminating the need for time-consuming suture placement during the ring implantation procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation system is segmented into separate components: microanchors, delivery catheter, and annuloplasty ring. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and deployed in a sequential manner that reduces overall procedural time, with microanchors serving as standalone fixation elements that simplify the ring attachment process.
3Reliability
If multiple sutures are used to fix the annuloplasty ring, then secure fixation is achieved, but the device complexity and surgical difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fixation function from the complex suture and sewing sheath system by using self-contained microanchors with integrated barbs or expansion mechanisms. Each microanchor is a standalone fixation device that does not require external sutures or complex anchoring mechanisms, significantly simplifying the overall system while maintaining secure fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The microanchors are designed to be self-contained fixation devices with integrated anchoring mechanisms such as barbs, hooks, or expandable structures that secure themselves to the tissue without requiring additional sutures or external fastening elements. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex suture-based fixation systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed systems for implanting annuloplasty rings and other prosthetic devices can comprise a plurality of microanchors, sutures threaded through the microanchors, the sutures passing through the prosthetic device, individual microanchor guides, such as tubes or spears, for each microanchor that contain the microanchors during delivery and allow for positioning and deployment of the microanchors into annular tissue. The systems can also comprise a bracket that is temporarily coupled to the prosthetic device, holds the plurality of microanchor guides in position relative to one another and relative to the prosthetic device, and/or guides the sutures passing through the prosthetic device. The prosthetic device can include suture locking mechanisms to secure the prosthetic device to the sutures and to the implanted microanchors after the deployment devices have been removed.