Mitral Valve Repair Apparatus with Adjustable Leaflet Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for repairing mitral valves often require invasive open heart surgery, which poses significant risks and morbidity, especially for elderly patients and those with other health issues, and lacks minimally invasive alternatives.

Innovation Solution

A minimally invasive apparatus and method for repairing mitral valves using a radially compressible and expandable body with positioning cords and adjustment cords to adjust the position of mitral leaflets, along with annular and papillary anchors, allowing for percutaneous implantation and adjustment to correct leaflet prolapse and restore valve competence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If open heart surgery is performed to repair mitral valve, then valve repair can be achieved, but patient morbidity and mortality risks increase and recovery time extends to several months

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve repair effectivenessVSAvoidpatient morbidity and mortality risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mitral valve repair system is divided into separate functional components: an annular support structure that provides radial support to the mitral annulus, and leaflet support structures that can be independently positioned and adjusted. This segmentation allows for minimally invasive delivery while maintaining effective valve repair capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediate delivery system comprising catheters and deployment mechanisms that enable the implantation of valve support structures without open heart surgery. The delivery system acts as a mediator between the external environment and the intracardiac implantation site, allowing percutaneous access and minimally invasive deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If open heart surgery is performed to replace or repair mitral valve, then valve function can be restored, but post-operative convalescence period extends to several months

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve function restorationVSAvoidpost-operative convalescence period

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The valve repair system incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable components that can be dynamically modified after implantation. The leaflet support structures can be repositioned and the annular support can be adjusted to optimize valve function, allowing for fine-tuning without requiring additional surgery and reducing overall recovery time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The implantable valve support structures are designed to be self-adjusting and self-stabilizing within the heart. The radial support structures automatically provide structural reinforcement, and the leaflet supports can be adjusted to achieve proper coaptation, reducing the need for prolonged post-operative monitoring and intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If traditional open heart procedures are used for mitral valve repair, then comprehensive valve assessment and repair are possible, but the procedure becomes prohibitive for elderly patients and those with other health issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve repair completenessVSAvoidprocedure accessibility for high-risk patients

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical open heart surgical approach with a percutaneous catheter-based system. Instead of requiring sternotomy and direct surgical access to the heart, the valve support structures are delivered through venous access using flexible catheters, eliminating the need for cardiopulmonary bypass and reducing surgical trauma.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve support structures are constructed from flexible, compliant materials that can be compressed into a small profile for delivery through catheters and then expanded to provide structural support. The flexibility of these structures allows them to conform to the native valve geometry while providing the necessary mechanical support, enabling minimally invasive implantation in high-risk patients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS11963874B2Apparatus for use in repairing mitral valves and method of use thereof

Publication Date: 2024.04.23 VESALIUS CARDIOVASCULAR INC

AI summary

Apparatus for repairing a heart valve and methods for implanting anchors and repairing a heart valve are provided. The apparatus comprises a body, a member attached to the body at a first end and having a plurality of positioning cords spaced laterally across the member and extending away from a second end of the member opposed to the first end, a tube suspended from the plurality of positioning cords, and an adjustment cord extending through the tube. The method comprises implanting at least one annular anchor in a mitral annulus of the heart valve, implanting a papillary anchor through each papillary muscle of the heart, delivering and positioning an apparatus for repairing a heart valve inside the heart valve using the at least one annular anchor and the papillary anchors, and adjusting the apparatus to adjust the extent of atrial displacement of the heart's mitral leaflets during ventricular contraction.