Mitral Valve Prosthesis with Hourglass Frame and Support Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current percutaneous heart valve replacement methods face challenges in effectively addressing the unique requirements of the mitral valve, particularly in terms of structural support and fixation within the mitral valve annulus, due to its distinct physical characteristics and location within the heart.
Innovation Solution
A heart valve prosthesis with a tubular stent or frame that includes a central portion with an hourglass shape to secure within the native valve annulus, support arms to engage native valve leaflets, and chordae engagement elements to restrict movement, ensuring axial fixation and reducing stress on the chordae tendinae, is developed. This prosthesis is designed to be delivered via a catheter-based system and expands to securely anchor within the mitral valve site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standard percutaneous heart valve prosthesis is used, then the valve replacement can be performed minimally invasively, but the prosthesis cannot provide adequate axial fixation and support for the mitral valve annulus due to the unique anatomical requirements of the mitral valve
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis is divided into distinct functional segments: an inlet portion for engaging the mitral valve annulus and providing axial support, a central portion for securing the valve body, and an outlet portion for blood flow. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall percutaneous deliverability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the prosthesis frame are given different structural characteristics tailored to their specific functions. The inlet portion has a configuration optimized for annular engagement and axial fixation, while the central and outlet portions are designed for valve support and flow dynamics, respectively. This local differentiation addresses the unique anatomical requirements of the mitral valve position.
2Reliability
If the prosthesis is designed with enhanced support arms and chordae engagement elements to improve fixation, then axial stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fixation functions are merged into a single integrated frame structure. The inlet portion simultaneously provides annular engagement, axial support, and chordae interaction capabilities. This consolidation achieves reliable fixation without the need for separate complex components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining fixation reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The inlet portion of the frame is designed as a multi-functional element that can engage the mitral valve annulus, provide axial support, and interact with chordae tendinae structures. This universal design allows a single component to perform multiple fixation functions, reducing the number of separate parts needed and simplifying the overall device architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
Heart valve prosthesis are disclosed that include a frame or support structure having an inflow portion, a valve-retaining tubular or central portion and a pair of support arms. The inflow portion radially extends from a first end of the valve-retaining tubular portion and the pair of support arms are circumferentially spaced apart and radially extend from an opposing second end of the valve-retaining tubular portion.