Neo-LVOT Area Determination for Prosthetic Mitral Valve Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for determining the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction caused by prosthetic mitral valves in transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) are inaccurate and prone to errors, leading to potential complications and improper valve placement.

Innovation Solution

A method using a computing device to create a 3-D model of the heart, position prosthetic mitral valves, and calculate precise cross-sectional areas of the neo-LVOT to ensure adequate blood flow by determining the minimum neo-LVOT area, allowing for accurate prosthetic valve selection and placement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional methods are used to determine LVOT obstruction, then the assessment process is simple, but the measurement precision is poor leading to inaccurate results

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveLVOT cross-sectional area measurement accuracyVSAvoid3-D modeling and calculation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a digital 3-D copy of the patient's heart anatomy using imaging data (CT or MRI). This virtual model allows for precise measurement of LVOT cross-sectional areas without physical intervention. The 3-D model replicates the actual anatomical structures, enabling accurate simulation of prosthetic valve placement and obstruction assessment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from conventional 2-D imaging to 3-D volumetric modeling to assess LVOT obstruction. By calculating cross-sectional areas at multiple planes through the 3-D model, the system provides comprehensive spatial assessment that cannot be achieved with traditional 2-D methods, significantly improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If multiple cross-sectional areas are calculated to ensure accurate valve placement, then the measurement precision improves, but the loss of time increases due to complex calculations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprosthetic valve sizing accuracyVSAvoidtime for 3-D modeling and cross-sectional area calculation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs 3-D modeling and calculates multiple cross-sectional areas of the LVOT before the actual prosthetic valve implantation procedure. By completing these measurements in advance during the planning phase, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming intraoperative measurements, thus reducing surgical time while maintaining high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual measurement methods with automated computer-based 3-D modeling and calculation algorithms. The system automatically generates the 3-D model from imaging data and computes cross-sectional areas at multiple planes, significantly reducing the time required compared to manual measurement techniques while improving accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Quantity of substance

If a larger prosthetic valve is selected to ensure adequate blood flow, then the fluid flow improves, but the harmful factors increase due to potential LVOT obstruction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood flow through neo-LVOTVSAvoidLVOT obstruction risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent calculates cross-sectional areas at multiple planes (not just a single plane) through the neo-LVOT to comprehensively assess blood flow and obstruction risk. By examining partial cross-sections at different locations, the system identifies the minimum cross-sectional area that determines the bottleneck for blood flow, enabling precise valve sizing that ensures adequate flow without excessive obstruction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the calculated cross-sectional areas to provide feedback on the expected blood flow and obstruction risk for different prosthetic valve sizes. This allows clinicians to select the optimal valve size that maintains adequate neo-LVOT area and blood flow while minimizing obstruction, avoiding both under-sizing and over-sizing complications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3962397B1System and method of fluid passageway cross-sectional area determination in an anatomy
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 MATERIALISE NV
  • EP3962397B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3962397B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3962397B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods of fluid passageway cross-sectional area determination in an anatomy are disclosed.