Collapser System for Prosthetic Device Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for collapsing and loading implantable prosthetic devices, such as heart valve prostheses, face challenges in achieving precise positioning, maintaining the device in a collapsed state, and simplifying the loading process, often requiring complex manual orientation and risking device damage.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible system with a base and movably coupled collapser that allows top and side loading, featuring an actuator to reduce the orifice size for collapsing and a lock to maintain the collapsed state, ensuring efficient and consistent positioning and loading of prosthetic devices onto a delivery system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual orientation methods are used to position the prosthetic device, then the practitioner can adjust angular position, but the risk of damaging the device increases due to direct contact and manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a collapser system with a delivery instrument as an intermediary between the practitioner and the prosthetic device. The collapser includes a collapsing mechanism that can radially compress the device without direct manual manipulation, and a positioning mechanism that provides indirect angular and longitudinal positioning. This intermediary system eliminates the need for practitioners to directly contact and manipulate the delicate prosthetic device components, thereby reducing damage risk while maintaining positioning capability.
2Ease of manufacture
If multistep collapsing operations are used, then the device can be collapsed progressively, but the system fails to maintain the device in a collapsed state on the delivery system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a locking mechanism in the collapser system that performs preliminary action to maintain the collapsed state. After the device is collapsed through the multistep operation, the locking mechanism automatically engages to secure the device in its collapsed configuration on the delivery system. This preliminary locking action prevents the device from expanding or shifting during delivery, thereby maintaining the collapsed state without requiring continuous manual intervention.
3Ease of operation
If side loading is used for initial loading of the prosthetic device, then the device can be loaded into the collapser system, but additional holder devices are required which increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the collapser system with a universal loading mechanism that can accommodate both top loading and side loading of the prosthetic device. The collapser includes a receiving chamber with openings configured to accept the device from multiple directions, and an integrated positioning mechanism that works regardless of the loading direction. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate holder devices for side loading, as the collapser itself provides the necessary support and positioning functions for all loading configurations, thereby reducing system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for collapsing and loading a prosthetic device for delivery to a patient. The collapsing and loading systems described herein may facilitate more efficient and consistent positioning of a prosthetic device with respect to a collapser system and a corresponding delivery system. For example, the system may include a collapser system having a base and a collapser movably coupled to the base. The collapser defines an orifice sized and shaped to receive a prosthetic device (e.g., a prosthetic heart valve) in a first position and may be moved relative to the base to a second position for loading and collapsing the prosthetic device onto a delivery system.