Modular Valve Prosthesis Segmentation for Tortuous Vessel Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heart valve replacement methods, including traditional open surgery and minimally-invasive techniques, face challenges such as significant patient trauma, long recuperation times, and difficulties in accessing certain heart regions, as well as issues with stent framework designs that struggle to navigate tortuous vessels and adjust placement during delivery.
Innovation Solution
A modular prosthetic heart valve system comprising an anchor stent with a self-expanding tubular frame and attachment members, along with a valve component that engages the anchor stent, allowing for deployment in the aorta and brachiocephalic artery, enabling a smaller delivery profile and reduced radial force requirement, facilitating navigation through tortuous vessels and precise placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional stented valve design is used with a single integrated stent framework, then the valve can be deployed in the aortic annulus, but the device cannot be crimped to a small enough diameter to navigate tortuous or diseased vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate components: an anchor stent and a valve prosthesis. The anchor stent is deployed first to provide a stable foundation, and the valve prosthesis is then deployed within the anchor stent. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for delivery profile and functional performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve prosthesis is nested within the anchor stent structure. The anchor stent provides an outer framework that can be crimped to a small diameter for delivery, while the valve prosthesis is contained within this framework. This nesting arrangement enables the combined device to navigate tortuous vessels while maintaining structural integrity.
2Ease of operation
If a conventional stented valve design is used, then the stent framework can provide radial force to hold the valve in place, but it is difficult to adjust the location of the device during delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor stent is deployed first to establish a stable foundation and define the target location before the valve prosthesis is introduced. This preliminary deployment allows for adjustment and positioning of the anchor stent while it is being delivered, and once positioned, it provides a fixed reference structure for subsequent valve prosthesis deployment, ensuring precise final placement.
3Duration of action of moving object
If a conventional stented valve design is used, then the stent framework holds the valve in place by applying radial force, but the operation of native valve leaflets is interrupted during delivery
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the anchor stent deployment from the valve prosthesis deployment, the native valve leaflets can continue to function during anchor stent delivery and positioning. The valve prosthesis is then deployed within the anchor stent in a controlled manner, minimizing the duration of leaflet interruption while ensuring proper valve function is restored.
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 modular system allows for minimally invasive, precise deployment of the prosthetic valve with reduced disruption to native valve function, enabling smaller delivery profiles and improved accessibility through tortuous vessels, thereby reducing patient trauma and recovery time.
Implementation Method 1
The anchor stent includes a self-expanding tubular frame member configured to be deployed in the aorta
Data Source
AI summary
A modular valve prosthesis includes an anchor stent and a valve component. The anchor stent includes a self-expanding tubular frame member configured to be deployed in the aorta and a proximal arm component extending from a proximal end of the tubular frame member and configured to be deployed in the sinuses of the aortic valve. The anchor stent further includes attachment members extending from an internal surface of the tubular frame member. The valve component includes a valve frame configured to be deployed within the tubular frame member of the anchor stent such that the valve frame engages with the attachment members of the tubular frame member and a prosthetic valve coupled to the valve frame.