Mitral Valve Stent With Engaging Arms for Secure Annulus Anchoring
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional collapsible prosthetic heart valves face challenges in anchoring within the native valve annulus, potentially causing tissue damage or migration due to inadequate radial force, especially in locations lacking calcification or plaque, and may not effectively restore native valve function.
Innovation Solution
A prosthetic heart valve design featuring a collapsible and expandable stent with engaging arms and a flared portion, along with a braided frame, that anchors securely within the native valve annulus, reducing the risk of migration and paravalvular leakage, and includes a valve assembly with leaflets to mimic native valve function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical mitral valve prosthesis is implanted, then the valve provides durable mechanical function, but thrombus formation and hemorrhagic risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from a mechanical valve with moving parts to a bioprosthetic valve constructed from allograft tissue, fundamentally altering the material parameters to eliminate thrombogenicity while maintaining valve function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a bioprosthetic valve made from allograft tissue that is designed to be replaced after a certain functional lifetime, accepting that the valve will degrade over time in exchange for eliminating the need for lifelong anticoagulation therapy
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a bioprosthetic mitral valve is implanted, then thrombus formation is reduced, but structural deterioration occurs over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite construction by combining allograft tissue with a supportive frame structure, creating a hybrid valve that leverages the biocompatibility of biological tissue with the durability of the supporting framework
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the valve into distinct functional components including the allograft tissue portion and the supporting frame, allowing each component to be optimized independently for its specific function
3Reliability
If the mitral valve annulus is calcified or dilated, then valve function deteriorates, but surgical repair becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the valve from the annulus by using a self-expanding frame that pushes against the annular tissue, allowing the valve to function independently without requiring a healthy, precisely fitted annular structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a self-expanding frame that dynamically adjusts to the annular geometry, allowing the valve to adapt to varying annular sizes and shapes rather than requiring a fixed, pre-determined annular configuration
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A prosthetic heart valve having an inflow end, an outflow end and a longitudinal axis extending from the inflow end to the outflow end includes a stent including a plurality of cells arranged in at least one row extending around a circumference of the stent. The stent further includes at least one engaging arm joined to one of the cells adjacent the outflow end and having a free end extending toward the inflow end, the engaging arm being movable between a loaded condition in which the engaging arm is oriented substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the stent, a partially-released condition in which the engaging arm forms a first angle with the longitudinal axis of the stent, and a fully-released condition in which the engaging arm forms a second angle with the longitudinal axis of the stent, the first angle being larger than the second angle.