Modular Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current closure devices for the left atrial appendage often fail to provide full occlusion due to anatomical variations, leading to incomplete prevention of blood and clot flow, and require invasive procedures with associated risks.

Innovation Solution

A modular closure device comprising an anchor element and a disc element, each individually chosen based on the patient's anatomy, with a self-expanding frame and shape memory materials to ensure proper fit and expansion within the left atrial appendage, allowing complete coverage of the opening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a single-size closure device is used, then manufacturing and inventory are simplified, but the device cannot provide full occlusion in all patients due to anatomical variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidocclusion effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The closure device is divided into separate modular components (anchor element, disc element, connection element) that can be individually selected and assembled based on patient anatomy. This segmentation allows customization for different LAA sizes and shapes while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through standardized modular parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If LAA removal or ligation is performed, then complete prevention of clot flow is achieved, but the procedure becomes major surgery requiring chest cavity opening with long recovery time and increased infection risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclot flow preventionVSAvoidsurgical trauma and infection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the essential function of LAA closure from major open-heart surgery by using a percutaneous delivery system. The closure device is delivered through a catheter inserted via peripheral vessels, avoiding chest cavity opening while achieving the same therapeutic goal of preventing clot flow from the LAA.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If a non-modular closure device is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the device cannot adapt to the morphologically diverse LAA structure with varying size and shape

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structure simplicityVSAvoidanatomical adaptation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into modular components that can be individually selected based on patient anatomy. The anchor element, disc element, and connection element can be combined in different configurations to adapt to various LAA sizes and shapes while maintaining reasonable device complexity through standardized modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular components are designed with universal interfaces and standardized features that allow them to be assembled in different configurations. This universality enables the same set of modular parts to adapt to various anatomical variations in the LAA.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 device effectively prevents blood and clot flow by ensuring a precise fit and secure anchoring within the left atrial appendage, reducing the risk of stroke and minimizing invasive procedure-related complications.

Implementation Method 1

an anchor element (12) configured to be received within a left atrial appendage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelf-expanding: Elastic Recovery

Implementation Method 2

shape memory materials to ensure proper fit and expansion within the left atrial appendage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape memory: Shape Memory Alloy

Data Source

PatentUS11534175B2Modular left atrial appendage closure

Publication Date: 2022.12.27 MEDTRONIC INC

AI summary

Devices, methods, and systems for closure device for a left atrial appendage and, in particular, to a closure device that includes an anchor element and a disc element that are each individually chosen based on the anatomy of the patient's left atrial appendage and assembled before implantation. In one embodiment, a medical device comprises: an anchor element, the anchor element including a first connection element; and a disc element, the disc element including a second connection element pivotably coupled to the first connection element, the anchor element being sized to be received and retained within a left atrial appendage and the disc element being sized to completely cover an opening of the left atrial appendage.