Optical Catheter for Beating Heart Chordae Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current interventional procedures for vascular heart disease, such as valve replacement, often require invasive open-heart surgeries or cardiopulmonary bypass, which are risky and time-consuming, and lack precise image guidance for instrument placement within a beating heart.
Innovation Solution
A catheter-based system with an optical window and grasping fingers for real-time image guidance and tissue stabilization, allowing for precise delivery and placement of instruments like artificial chordae tendineae within a beating heart without the need for open-heart surgery or cardiopulmonary bypass.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If open-heart surgery or cardiopulmonary bypass is used for valve replacement, then surgical access and repair capability are improved, but patient trauma, recovery time, and procedural risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical open-heart surgical approach with a catheter-based system that delivers artificial chordae tendineae through percutaneous access. The catheter system with optical imaging and grasping fingers enables minimally invasive delivery, substituting the need for sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass while achieving the same therapeutic goal of mitral valve repair
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a catheter-based delivery system as an intermediary between the operator and the target tissue. This intermediary system includes optical imaging components and grasping fingers that enable precise instrument delivery and positioning without requiring direct surgical exposure of the heart, thereby reducing patient trauma while maintaining operational capability
2Manufacturing precision
If open-heart surgery is performed for precise instrument placement, then placement accuracy is improved, but procedural time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical positioning methods with optical imaging guidance. The catheter-based system incorporates optical windows and imaging sensors that provide real-time visualization of the mitral valve and surrounding structures, enabling precise instrument placement without the need for prolonged surgical exposure and direct visualization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical imaging to create a visual copy or representation of the internal cardiac anatomy. The imaging system captures real-time images of the mitral valve leaflets and tissue structures, allowing the operator to visualize and navigate to the precise target location without requiring open surgical access, thereby reducing procedural time while maintaining placement accuracy
3Device complexity
If traditional catheter procedures are used without image guidance, then procedural simplicity is maintained, but instrument positioning precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single catheter-based system. The system combines delivery channel, optical imaging, tissue grasping, and instrument positioning capabilities in one integrated platform. This multi-functional approach maintains procedural simplicity by avoiding the need for separate imaging and manipulation systems while achieving precise instrument positioning through real-time optical feedback
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical imaging as an intermediary that bridges the gap between simple catheter delivery and precise instrument positioning. The imaging system provides real-time visualization of the target tissue, enabling the operator to accurately position the artificial chordae tendineae delivery instrument without requiring complex surgical exposure, thereby improving positioning precision while maintaining procedural simplicity
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
Enables minimally invasive procedures with reduced patient trauma and recovery time by providing real-time image guidance for accurate placement of interventional instruments, facilitating complex heart procedures like mitral valve repairs under continuous intra-operative assessment.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system positioned to obtain optical images of an area adjacent to the distal face of the optical window
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure involves a system and method of use for delivering an interventional instrument, such as an artificial chordae tendineae (ACT) delivery instrument, into a beating heart. By delivering interventional instruments in a beating heart via the system described here, complex and invasive open heart procedures as well as cardiopulmonary bypass can be avoided, significantly reducing patient trauma and recovery time as well as operation time and complexity. The system disclosed includes an optical imaging system to provide the practitioner with visual imagery from the end of the system, and allow for real-time or near real-time imaging of tissue inside the beating heart (e.g., leaflet tissue). This provides for accurate verification of placement of the interventional instrument. In addition, the system includes a grasping mechanism, which allows the practitioner to hold tissue in position prior to placing the interventional instrument.