Mitral Valve Clip Applier With Slings and Hooks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mitral valve insufficiency occurs when the mitral valve fails to close completely due to age, congenital defects, or disease, leading to blood leakage between the left ventricle and left atrium, which existing treatments are unable to effectively address.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using a guide catheter with channels for deploying slings and hooks to position and secure the valve leaflets, and a clip applier to attach a clip that permanently connects the leaflets, creating a double orifice mitral valve to prevent leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing treatments are used for mitral valve insufficiency, then the treatment approach is simple, but the treatments are unable to effectively address the blood leakage between left ventricle and left atrium
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment apparatus is divided into multiple functional components: a guide catheter for navigation, slings for initial leaflet engagement, hooks for securing leaflets, and a clip applier for permanent connection. Each component performs a specific function in the sequential treatment process, allowing complex mitral valve repair to be achieved through coordinated simple actions of individual segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The slings, hooks, and clip applier are all deployable through the guide catheter in a nested configuration. The slings are first deployed through the guide catheter, followed by hooks that engage the leaflets, and finally the clip applier that delivers the permanent connection device. This nested deployment approach allows multiple functional elements to be delivered through a single access point while maintaining relative simplicity of each individual component.
2Strength
If a clip is used to permanently connect leaflets, then the valve closure is secure, but the procedure requires multiple devices and steps
Solution Approach 1:
The slings are deployed first to engage and position the valve leaflets in preparation for the permanent connection. The hooks are then used to secure the leaflets in the desired closed position before the final clip is applied. These preliminary actions ensure that the leaflets are properly positioned and stabilized before the permanent connection is made, reducing the need for adjustments later and simplifying the overall procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The slings and hooks serve as intermediary devices that facilitate the delivery and positioning of the final clip connection. Rather than directly applying the clip to the moving leaflets, the slings and hooks act as mediators that hold the leaflets in place, making the final clipping action simpler and more reliable. This intermediary approach breaks down the complex task of permanent leaflet connection into manageable steps.
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary surgical apparatus may include a guide catheter including a clip channel, at least one hook channel, and at least one sling channel defined therein; a clip applier movable within the clip channel, wherein the clip applier holds at least one clip; at least one hook movable within a corresponding hook channel; and at least one sling movable within a corresponding sling channel. An exemplary surgical method for treating a mitral valve may include providing a guide catheter; a clip applier held by the guide catheter, and a clip held by the clip applier; introducing the distal end of the guide catheter into the left atrium; engaging the anterior and posterior leaflets of the mitral valve with the clip; closing the clip; and disengaging the clip applier from the clip, whereby the clip remains in the mitral valve. Another exemplary surgical method for treating a valve may include providing a guide catheter; a clip applier held by the guide catheter, and at least one clip held by the clip applier; advancing the guide catheter into proximity to the valve; and applying at least one clip substantially in the middle of the valve to create two orifices, one on each side of the clip.