Mitral Valve Stent Frame with Atrial Flares

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for replacing mitral heart valves are invasive and carry risks, and existing percutaneous valve replacement technologies do not adequately address the unique requirements of the mitral valve's physical structure, often causing stress to the heart and requiring anti-coagulant therapy for mechanical valves or having shorter lifespans for tissue valves.

Innovation Solution

A compressible and expandable stent frame with atrial and ventricular flares is used for percutaneous implantation, allowing for self-expansion and secure anchoring within the mitral valve annulus without obstructing the left ventricular outflow tract, and can be used with either pericardial or animal valve constructs, facilitating minimally invasive procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional surgical valve replacement is used, then valve replacement can be performed, but the procedure is invasive and carries risks of infection and other complications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve replacement effectivenessVSAvoidinfection risk and procedural complications
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The valve replacement system is divided into separate components: a compressed valve prosthesis, a delivery catheter, and an expansion mechanism. This segmentation allows the valve to be delivered through a minimally invasive percutaneous approach rather than requiring open chest surgery, thereby reducing infection risk and procedural complications while maintaining effective valve replacement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A delivery catheter serves as an intermediary device that transports the compressed valve prosthesis through the vascular system to the target mitral valve position. The catheter enables minimally invasive delivery by acting as a conduit through which the valve can be advanced and deployed without open surgical access

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If mechanical valves are used for replacement, then valve durability is improved, but the risk of clotting increases requiring anti-coagulant therapy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve lifespanVSAvoidblood clotting risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the material parameter of the valve prosthesis from traditional mechanical materials to biological tissue materials. This parameter change transforms the valve from a mechanical structure that promotes clotting to a biological structure that is more thrombo-resistant, eliminating the need for lifelong anti-coagulant therapy while providing adequate durability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If percutaneous valve replacement is used, then patient trauma is reduced, but existing technologies do not adequately address the unique requirements of the mitral valve's physical structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveminimally invasive deliveryVSAvoidcompatibility with mitral valve anatomy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The valve prosthesis is designed with local quality variations: the frame structure includes specific geometric configurations, the tissue valve material is positioned at critical flow areas, and the overall assembly is shaped to match the mitral valve annulus geometry. These localized adaptations ensure proper anatomical fit and functional performance specific to the mitral valve's unique structural requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The valve prosthesis is pre-compressed to a small profile before delivery, allowing it to be advanced through the vascular system via catheter. Once positioned at the mitral valve, the valve is expanded to its functional size. This preliminary compression action enables minimally invasive percutaneous delivery while preserving the valve's full functional dimensions at the implantation site

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3760165A1Stented heart valve devices
Publication Date: 2021.01.06 MEDTRONIC INC
  • EP3760165A1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3760165A1 patent drawingFigure 5~9
  • EP3760165A1 patent drawingFigure 10~13

AI summary

A stent frame (10) including an annular portion (12) having first and second ends, a central longitudinal axis, and an atrial portion (14) extending from the first end of the annular portion, wherein the atrial portion comprises a plurality of flares (20) that extend radially outward relative to the longitudinal axis of the annular portion.