Polymeric Heart Valve Structure for One-Time Molding and Radial Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing prosthetic heart valves face challenges with poor bonding between the valve frame and leaflets due to the use of different materials, requiring multiple injection moldings and increasing fabrication complexity, which affects the radial support force and overall valve performance.
Innovation Solution
A polymeric heart valve design incorporating a hollow cylindrical insert with axial and radial positioning structures, embedded within the valve frame, allows for one-time injection molding of the valve frame and leaflets, enhancing radial support and optimizing the valve's structural integrity through uniform thickness and improved material bonding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If different materials are used for valve frame and valve leaflets to improve radial support force, then radial support force is improved, but bonding between valve frame and valve leaflets deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the valve frame and valve leaflets into a single integrated structure made from the same polymeric material, eliminating the bonding interface between different materials. The valve leaflets are formed as an integral extension of the valve frame through one-time injection molding, ensuring uniform material properties and eliminating bonding reliability issues while maintaining radial support force through optimized frame geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite polymeric material system that provides both the required radial support strength and flexibility for valve function. The material composition is optimized to achieve the desired balance between structural rigidity and leaflet compliance, eliminating the need for different materials while maintaining both radial support and bonding quality.
2Strength
If two injection moldings are used to fabricate valve frame and valve leaflets separately to improve radial support, then radial support is improved, but fabrication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fabrication of valve frame and valve leaflets into a single one-time injection molding process. The integrated design allows both components to be formed simultaneously from the same polymeric material, eliminating the need for separate molding operations and subsequent bonding processes, thereby reducing fabrication complexity while maintaining radial support strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the injection molding process into functional zones within a single operation, where the valve frame and valve leaflets are formed in different regions of the mold cavity but completed in one continuous molding cycle, simplifying the overall fabrication process.
3Strength
If two injection moldings are used to fabricate valve components, then radial support can be optimized, but production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the production of valve frame and valve leaflets into a single injection molding operation, eliminating the sequential nature of two separate molding processes. This integration reduces production time by eliminating intermediate steps such as cooling, ejection, repositioning, and bonding between separate components, thereby improving productivity while maintaining optimized radial support.
4Strength
If different materials are used for valve frame and valve leaflets, then radial support force is improved, but material bonding reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by using the same polymeric material for both the valve frame and valve leaflets, ensuring uniform material composition throughout the entire valve structure. This eliminates the material interface and associated bonding issues, while the radial support force is maintained through optimized geometric design of the frame structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided by the present invention are a polymeric heart valve and a preparation method therefor. The polymeric heart valve comprises valve leaflets and a valve frame. The valve frame is a hollow cylindrical structure and comprises a first end and a second end; the first end is provided with a plurality of column peaks arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction, and column valleys are correspondingly formed. The number of the valve leaflets is consistent with the number of the column peaks. The valve leaflets are arranged in the center of the first end. According to the polymeric heart valve provided by the present invention, the radial supporting force of the valve frame is increased by optimizing the structure and the process, thereby improving valve performance, simplifying the preparation process, and improving the preparation efficiency.