Mitral Valve Anchor Assembly for Precise Placement and Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cardiac valve prostheses are difficult to place correctly within the mitral valve, do not match the native valve size effectively, and are challenging to retrieve if initially placed incorrectly, especially in minimally invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
A prosthetic mitral valve design featuring an anchor assembly with a ventricular and atrial anchor flaring radially outwards, a central portion aligning with the native valve orifice, and a self-expanding annular strut frame attached to the anchor assembly, which includes features like diamond-shaped cells and rivets for secure attachment and expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If current cardiac valve prostheses are delivered via minimally invasive device, then the procedure is less traumatic and avoids extra-corporeal perfusion, but the prosthesis is difficult to place correctly, difficult to match in size, and difficult to retrieve if misplaced
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis is divided into multiple segments including an anchor assembly with separate atrial and ventricular anchors, a valve frame, and a valve prosthesis. This segmentation allows each component to be independently positioned and secured, facilitating correct placement and enabling retrieval if needed by accessing individual segments through the minimally invasive delivery system
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor assembly serves as an intermediary structure that is first deployed to secure the prosthesis in place, then the valve frame is attached to the anchor assembly, and finally the valve prosthesis is mounted on the frame. This stepwise intermediary approach enables precise placement and provides access points for retrieval through the delivery catheter
2Reliability
If the anchor assembly is configured to compress native cardiac tissue between ventricular and atrial anchors, then secure anchoring is achieved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The atrial anchor and ventricular anchor are merged into a single integrated anchor assembly that functions as one unit. The assembly includes a continuous structure with anchors at both ends that can be deployed simultaneously through the minimally invasive delivery system, achieving secure tissue compression without requiring separate deployment mechanisms for each anchor
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor assembly serves multiple functions: it anchors the prosthesis securely to the native valve annulus by compressing tissue, it provides a mounting structure for the valve frame, and it maintains the geometric relationship between atrial and ventricular components. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components
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 design allows for precise placement, size matching, and easy retrieval of the mitral valve prosthesis, reducing procedural complications and trauma in minimally invasive surgeries.
Implementation Method 1
The anchor assembly and the strut frame can be configured to self-expand from a constrained configuration to an expanded configuration
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 2E
AI summary
A prosthetic mitral valve includes an anchor assembly, a strut frame, and a plurality of replacement leaflets secured to the annular strut frame. The anchor assembly includes a ventricular anchor, an atrial anchor, and a central portion therebetween. The ventricular anchor and the atrial anchor are configured to flare radially outwards relative to the central portion. The annular strut frame is disposed radially within the anchor assembly and is attached to the anchor assembly. The central portion is configured to align with a native valve orifice and the ventricular anchor and the atrial anchor are configured to compress native cardiac tissue therebetween.