Mitral Valve Clip Elastic Bore Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for repairing mitral valves often require open chest surgery, which is invasive and carries high mortality and morbidity risks, and struggle with correcting extended valve leaflets that fail to form a seal, leading to regurgitation and decreased heart efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive system and method using a clip and cylinder mechanism to shorten and stabilize mitral valve leaflets, allowing for improved coaptation without open chest access, involving transcatheter delivery and elastic deformation of the clip to secure the leaflet in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If open heart surgery with sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass is used to repair mitral valve, then effective valve repair can be achieved, but patient trauma, mortality and morbidity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical open-heart surgical system with a transcatheter delivery system that advances repair devices through the vasculature to the heart. The clip device is delivered via catheter through peripheral vessels, eliminating the need for sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass while achieving the same valve repair function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a transcatheter delivery system as an intermediary between the operator and the mitral valve. The delivery catheter serves as a mediator to transport the clip device to the target location through the bloodstream, avoiding direct surgical access to the heart while maintaining precise delivery capability.
2Ease of operation
If extended valve leaflet is left untreated, then patient avoids invasive surgery, but regurgitation persists and heart efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the extended leaflet by applying a clip that shortens its effective length. The clip device mechanically alters the leaflet geometry, reducing the excessive length that prevents proper coaptation, thereby restoring the valve's sealing function without invasive surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the extended leaflet by applying a clip at a specific location, effectively dividing the leaflet into functional segments. The clip creates a new attachment point that allows the proximal segment to coapt properly with the opposing leaflet, while the distal segment is excluded from the sealing interface.
3Ease of manufacture
If clip opening is made large to facilitate cylinder insertion, then device assembly is easier, but cylinder may fall out of bore
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic opening mechanism where the clip's opening size changes during different phases of the procedure. The opening is large during delivery to facilitate cylinder insertion, then closes automatically upon deployment to retain the cylinder and leaflet securely within the bore.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-configuring the clip with a opening size that facilitates easy cylinder insertion during delivery. The clip is designed to naturally close after the cylinder passes through, eliminating the need for separate closing actions while ensuring secure retention.
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 effectively shortens the leaflet free edge, enhancing coaptation and reducing regurgitation, thereby improving heart efficiency while avoiding invasive open heart surgery.
Implementation Method 1
the wall of the second cylinder is sized to bend elastically to widen the opening so as to receive the first cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
A system for repairing a mitral valve: a first cylinder; and, a clip having an axial length and comprising a second cylinder having a wall and an internal bore. The wall defines an opening extending along the axial length, the opening being sized for at least two requirements: (a) the opening is large enough to receive the first cylinder when the first cylinder is positioned parallel with and adjacent to the second cylinder and the first cylinder is moved in a direction, through the opening. The wall of the second cylinder is sized to bend elastically to widen the opening so as to receive the first cylinder; and (b) the opening is small enough to prevent the first cylinder from falling out of the bore.