Retrograde Mitral Valve Delivery Catheter with Articulating Elbow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current catheter delivery systems for mitral valve replacement face challenges in precise positioning and size limitations, particularly with the retrograde approach, which can lead to difficulties in accessing the mitral valve and avoiding myocardium tissue injury.
Innovation Solution
A delivery catheter system with an elongated tubular component, an arm portion, and an elbow or hinge portion that allows for flexion and extension, enabling the catheter to navigate through the aortic arch and across the aortic valve into the left ventricle, facilitating precise positioning and deployment of a prosthetic mitral valve prosthesis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a transseptal approach is used for mitral valve replacement, then catheter delivery is minimally invasive, but catheter positioning precision and prosthesis size are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery catheter is divided into multiple segments including an elongated tubular component, an arm portion, and an elbow portion that can flex relative to each other. This segmentation allows the catheter to navigate the aortic arch and aortic valve while maintaining the ability to precisely position the prosthetic mitral valve in the left ventricle.
Solution Approach 2:
The elbow portion of the delivery catheter is designed to flex and extend dynamically during the procedure. This dynamic configuration enables the catheter to adapt to the anatomical path through the aortic arch and across the aortic valve, while allowing precise positioning of the prosthesis once in the left ventricle.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a retrograde approach is used for mitral valve replacement, then access to the mitral valve is achieved, but risk of myocardium tissue injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery catheter acts as an intermediary tool that provides a controlled path from the aortic arch through the aortic valve into the left ventricle. The catheter's flexible design and controlled navigation reduce direct manipulation and potential injury to the myocardium tissue during the retrograde approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery catheter incorporates flexible components including an elbow portion that can bend and adapt to anatomical structures. This flexibility allows the catheter to navigate the aortic arch and aortic valve without rigid contact that could injure the myocardium, while still achieving access to the mitral valve position.
3Ease of operation
If current delivery catheter designs are used, then delivery is possible, but precise positioning of the prosthetic valve is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery catheter is divided into multiple segments including an elongated tubular component, an arm portion, and an elbow portion that can flex relative to each other. This segmentation allows the catheter to navigate the aortic arch and aortic valve while maintaining the ability to precisely position the prosthetic mitral valve in the left ventricle.
Solution Approach 2:
The elbow portion introduces an additional degree of freedom in positioning by allowing flexion and extension. This dimensional change enables the catheter to reach the mitral valve position from the retrograde approach and make precise angular adjustments for accurate prosthesis placement.
Data Source
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AI summary
Transcatheter delivery systems, delivery catheters and associated methods for percutaneous delivery of prosthetic mitral valves using a retrograde approach are disclosed herein. A heart valve delivery system configured in accordance herewith includes a delivery catheter having an elongated tubular component and an articulation assembly at a distal end thereof. The articulation assembly includes an arm portion coupled to the tubular component by an elbow or hinge portion. In a closed, delivery state, the elbow portion positions the arm portion generally parallel to the tubular component for delivery of the delivery catheter through the vasculature. In an open, deployed state, the elbow portion positions the arm portion in a non-axial direction with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tubular component for orienting and positioning a prosthetic valve device carried by the arm portion, e.g., within the native mitral valve region.