Transcatheter Mitral Valve Access via Left Atrium
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for accessing the mitral valve are invasive and carry significant risks, such as major complications and lengthy recovery times, due to the lack of a natural anatomical pathway, and existing transcatheter techniques for the aortic valve are more advanced due to a natural pathway's availability.
Innovation Solution
A catheter system and method for percutaneous access to the left atrium, using a catheter with a hub and inner catheter to deploy the mitral valve in an antegrade direction, and new percutaneous approaches that follow a smooth curve, enter through low-pressure chambers, and avoid the subvalvar apparatus to minimize complications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing transcatheter techniques for aortic valve are used, then a natural pathway is available for access, but the mitral valve lacks such a pathway requiring more invasive approaches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by accessing the left atrium through the right atrium and interatrial septum, creating a pathway to the mitral valve when a direct natural pathway is unavailable. This mediator route allows transcatheter access to the mitral valve by utilizing existing anatomical pathways and creating a controlled access point through the septum.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter system is divided into segmented components including an inner catheter, outer catheter, and hub assembly that can be independently manipulated. This segmentation allows the system to navigate complex anatomical pathways and perform mitral valve interventions through a remote access route, overcoming the lack of direct natural access.
2Reliability
If invasive surgical approaches are used to access the mitral valve, then direct access is achieved, but major complications and lengthy recovery times occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical surgical approaches with a transcatheter-based system that delivers mitral valve replacement devices through catheters. This substitution eliminates the need for open chest surgery, sternotomy, and cardiopulmonary bypass, thereby reducing complications and enabling same-day or next-day discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the key parameter of access invasiveness by transitioning from surgical incision and direct visualization to percutaneous catheter-based access with imaging guidance. This parameter change fundamentally reduces tissue trauma, bleeding risk, and recovery time while maintaining procedural effectiveness.
3Productivity
If current mitral valve access methods are used, then the procedure can be performed, but significant risks and complications arise due to lack of natural pathway
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter system is designed with multi-functionality to perform multiple tasks including navigation to the mitral valve, deployment of the valve prosthesis, and potential retrieval or adjustment functions. This universal design consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate devices and procedures into a single integrated system, improving efficiency and reducing complications.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for accessing a mitral valve that includes forming an incision and inserting a first catheter comprising a lumen. The first catheter is adapted to be directed towards a left atrium and the first catheter has a working length of approximately 15 cm to approximately 52 cm. The method further includes utilizing a trocar in the first catheter to penetrate a pericardium and utilizing the trocar to penetrate the left atrium. The method further includes accessing the mitral valve from an antegrade direction.