Percutaneous Mitral Valve Anchoring via Clamp Jaws
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current prosthetic mitral valve replacement procedures face challenges due to the unique anatomy of the mitral valve, including complex geometry, lack of calcification, and the presence of chordae tendineae, leading to difficulties in anchoring and navigating deployment catheters, resulting in high rejection rates and the need for improved, less invasive treatment options.
Innovation Solution
A percutaneous prosthetic mitral valve system with a stent design featuring atrial and ventricular clamp jaws that are resiliently biased to grip the native mitral valve annulus and leaflets, allowing for secure anchoring and adjustment using suture loops, and can be delivered via catheters through veins or arteries, accommodating the complex anatomy of the mitral valve area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If percutaneous mitral valve replacement is attempted using expandable stent prostheses, then less invasive treatment is achieved, but the lack of calcification and radial support in the mitral valve anatomy makes anchoring difficult and may lead to collapse of adjacent structures
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthetic valve system is divided into multiple functional components: an expandable frame structure, anchoring mechanisms (such as apical anchors or annular engagement elements), and a valve component. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the frame provides structural support, the anchors provide secure fixation to the mitral annulus or adjacent structures, and the valve component ensures proper function, thereby resolving the anchoring reliability issue while maintaining percutaneous access
Solution Approach 2:
The valve component is nested within the expandable frame structure, which itself is designed to engage with the mitral annulus or adjacent cardiac structures. This nested configuration allows the entire assembly to be delivered through a catheter in a compressed state and then deployed in situ, achieving both minimally invasive delivery and reliable anchoring through the hierarchical structural arrangement
2Reliability
If surgical repair or replacement procedures are used, then reliable valve replacement is achieved, but the procedures are highly invasive and not feasible for high-risk patients
Solution Approach 1:
An expandable frame structure with integrated anchoring mechanisms serves as an intermediary between the percutaneous delivery system and the native mitral valve. This intermediary structure provides the necessary mechanical support and secure fixation that would otherwise require open surgical intervention, while still allowing for minimally invasive catheter-based delivery in high-risk patients
3Reliability
If the mitral valve anatomy is accommodated with robust anchoring systems, then anchoring reliability is improved, but the risk of collapsing the inferior portion of the aortic tract increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring forces are localized to specific regions of the mitral annulus or adjacent structures through targeted engagement elements, rather than applying diffuse radial forces across the entire annulus. This localized anchoring approach provides secure fixation while minimizing the risk of collapsing the inferior portion of the aortic tract or damaging other adjacent cardiac structures
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable frame structure is designed with predetermined engagement characteristics that allow it to securely anchor to the mitral annulus or adjacent structures upon deployment. The frame's expansion geometry and anchoring element configuration are pre-engineered to achieve reliable fixation while controlling the distribution of forces to protect adjacent structures from collapse or damage
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 system enables reliable, less invasive percutaneous replacement of mitral valves with improved anchoring and positioning, reducing rejection rates and facilitating treatment of mitral valve disease, including conditions like regurgitation and stenosis, while minimizing risk to surrounding structures.
Implementation Method 1
atrial and ventricular clamp jaws that are resiliently biased to grip the native mitral valve annulus and leaflets
Data Source
AI summary
A prosthetic mitral valve system that comprises a valve dock and a prosthetic mitral valve is disclosed. The valve dock comprises clamp jaws that sandwich the native mitral valve leaflets and the native mitral valve annulus between them anchoring the prosthetic mitral valve system at or adjacent to the native mitral valve annulus. Further, a prosthetic mitral valve comprising atrial and ventricular clamp jaws and which can be implanted at or adjacent to the native mitral valve annulus without a valve dock system is disclosed. Novel methods and systems for treating mitral valve disease or malfunction by percutaneous replacement of the mitral valve (or the tricuspid valve) are disclosed.