Mitral Valve Repair via Papillary Muscle Relocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical devices are inadequate in effectively treating mitral regurgitation by relocating papillary muscles, as they often fail to properly address the displacement and tension issues that lead to leaflet tethering and insufficient coaptation of the mitral valve leaflets.

Innovation Solution

A mitral regurgitation treatment system comprising an annuloplasty device, a tethering element with anchors securing it to papillary muscles, and a linking element with a spring element to maintain tension, which is used to reposition the papillary muscles and reduce leaflet tethering by connecting the annuloplasty device to the tethering element, thereby improving coaptation of the mitral valve leaflets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional medical devices are used to treat mitral regurgitation, then the treatment procedure is simple, but the effectiveness in relocating papillary muscles and reducing leaflet tethering is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness in relocating papillary musclesVSAvoidcomplexity of treatment system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The treatment system is divided into distinct functional components: an annuloplasty device for mitral valve repair, a tethering element with anchors for papillary muscle attachment, and a linking element with spring for tension control. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function effectively while maintaining overall system manageability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The linking element acts as an intermediary between the annuloplasty device and the tethering element, incorporating a spring mechanism that mediates the tension transmission and enables controlled relocation of the papillary muscles while maintaining appropriate force levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If papillary muscles are relocated to treat mitral regurgitation, then coaptation of mitral valve leaflets is improved, but tension on the chordae increases causing leaflet tethering

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoaptation of mitral valve leafletsVSAvoidtension on chordae
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The spring element in the linking element dynamically adjusts the tension parameter, maintaining optimal force levels during papillary muscle relocation while preventing excessive tension that would cause leaflet tethering. This allows controlled change in the mechanical parameters of the chordae.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If a tethering element is used to secure papillary muscles, then relocation is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelocation of papillary musclesVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tethering element combines multiple functions into a single component: it includes anchors for securing to the ventricular wall and papillary muscles, and integrates with the linking element to provide both attachment and tension control mechanisms, thereby reducing the total number of separate components needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 reduces tension on the chordae and improves coaptation of the mitral valve leaflets by repositioning the papillary muscles, thereby alleviating mitral regurgitation through minimally invasive intravascular techniques or open-heart surgery.

Implementation Method 1

The linking element includes a spring element disposed between the annuloplasty device and the tethering element. The spring element maintains the linking element in tension between the annuloplasty device and the tethering element.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3681439B1Percutaneous papillary muscle relocation
Publication Date: 2021.07.28 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC
  • EP3681439B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3681439B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3681439B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mitral regurgitation treatment system may include an annuloplasty device configured for placement on an atrial side of a mitral valve, a tethering element configured to extend between a first papillary muscle and a second papillary muscle, wherein the tethering element includes a first anchor securing the tethering element to the first papillary muscle and a second anchor securing the tethering element to the second papillary muscle, and a linking element extending from the annuloplasty device to the tethering element. The linking element may include a spring element disposed between the annuloplasty device and the tethering element.