Optic Fiber Valve Delivery Assembly for Real-Time Implant Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing prosthetic heart valve implantation procedures lack real-time feedback on parameters such as pressure recovery, expansion diameter, and radial force exerted on surrounding tissue, which are crucial for ensuring proper valve functionality and implantation.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of optic fiber sensors into prosthetic valve delivery assemblies to monitor pressure, pressure drop, expansion diameter, and radial force in real-time, using fiber Bragg gratings and pressure sensing heads to provide accurate data for procedural decision-making.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If real-time monitoring of pressure, expansion diameter, and radial force is implemented during valve implantation, then measurement precision and procedural control are improved, but device complexity increases due to integration of optic fiber sensors and processing systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time measurement of pressure, expansion diameter, and radial forceVSAvoidintegration of optic fiber sensors and processing systems

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system is divided into separate functional modules: optic fiber sensors embedded in the delivery catheter for parameter detection, signal processing units for data analysis, and display systems for clinical visualization. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Optic fiber sensors serve as intermediary elements that transmit mechanical and pressure information from the implantation site to the external monitoring system without direct electrical contact, enabling precise measurement while isolating the catheter from complex electronics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If optic fiber sensors are integrated into the delivery apparatus, then reliability of valve implantation is improved through real-time feedback, but ease of operation deteriorates due to additional sensor management requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time feedback on pressure recovery, expansion diameter, and radial forceVSAvoidsensor management during procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The optic fiber sensors are passively integrated into the delivery catheter structure, automatically detecting and transmitting parameters without requiring active management or calibration by the operator during the procedure. The sensors self-monitor pressure, expansion, and force parameters throughout implantation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Real-time feedback from the optic fiber sensors is processed and displayed to guide the implantation procedure, allowing operators to make informed decisions about valve positioning and expansion while the system automatically manages sensor data collection and interpretation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of information

If multiple parameters are monitored simultaneously, then information completeness is improved for procedural decision-making, but loss of time increases due to data processing and analysis requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of pressure, expansion, and force dataVSAvoiddata processing and analysis during procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The optic fiber sensors continuously collect and pre-process multiple parameters (pressure, expansion diameter, radial force) simultaneously during the implantation procedure, preparing data for immediate clinical decision-making without requiring post-procedure analysis or additional measurement steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Ensures proper implantation of prosthetic valves by providing real-time measurements of critical parameters, enhancing procedural control and reducing clinical complications.

Implementation Method 1

using fiber Bragg gratings and pressure sensing heads to provide accurate data for procedural decision-making

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiber Bragg Grating:

Implementation Method 2

The at least one optic fiber sensor is configured to detect at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of: pressure within, or in the vicinity of, a prosthetic valve, pressure drop across the prosthetic valve, expansion diameter of the prosthetic valve and radial force of the prosthetic valve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical interference: Interference

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelasticity: Photoelasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20260069418A1Valves and delivery apparatuses equipped with optic fiber sensors

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORP

AI summary

The present invention relates to devices and methods for measuring expansion diameter, radial force exerted against surrounding tissue, and pressure recovery across prosthetic heart valves, during valve implantation procedures.