Prosthetic Heart Valve Placement Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-invasive percutaneous implantation of prosthetic heart valves, such as mitral valves, faces challenges due to limited field of view and reliance on 2D imaging during procedures, making it difficult to accurately assess and determine optimal placement, especially in complex geometries like the left ventricular outflow tract, which can lead to blood flow obstruction issues.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for evaluating prosthetic mitral heart valve placement using advanced imaging and modeling strategies, including acquiring anatomical images, designating potential valve positions, and predicting blood flow obstruction through the left ventricular outflow tract, allowing for preoperative planning and optimal valve positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If non-invasive percutaneous implantation is used, then patient trauma and recovery time are reduced, but the physician's field of view is limited and placement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D imaging (fluoroscopy, ultrasound) to 3D imaging (CT, MRI) to provide comprehensive spatial information about the implantation site. This dimensional enhancement allows physicians to visualize complex anatomical structures and plan precise valve placement without requiring open surgical exposure, thus maintaining the minimally invasive benefit while improving placement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent emphasizes pre-procedural planning using advanced 3D imaging and virtual modeling to determine optimal valve size, type, and placement position before the actual implantation. This preliminary action allows physicians to simulate different scenarios and identify the best approach, compensating for the limited real-time visual feedback during percutaneous procedures.
2Device complexity
If conventional 2D imaging is used during procedure, then equipment complexity is reduced, but the ability to assess complex geometries like LVOT deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs 3D imaging modalities (CT, MRI) that capture complex anatomical geometries in three dimensions, enabling accurate assessment of the left ventricular outflow tract and other intricate structures. This dimensional enhancement provides comprehensive spatial information that 2D imaging cannot deliver, allowing for better evaluation of implantation sites despite increased equipment complexity.
3Productivity
If prosthetic valve is placed without advanced planning, then procedure time is reduced, but blood flow obstruction and procedural success deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements comprehensive pre-procedural planning using 3D imaging, virtual modeling, and computational analysis to determine optimal valve selection and placement parameters before the procedure. This preliminary preparation enables physicians to execute the implantation more efficiently with confidence, reducing intra-procedural adjustments and improving outcomes, thus achieving both speed and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes computational fluid dynamics and virtual modeling to predict blood flow patterns and identify potential obstructions before implantation. This feedback mechanism allows physicians to optimize valve placement parameters to minimize complications while maintaining procedural efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for evaluating the placement of a prosthetic heart valve in a structure of interest. The method comprises acquiring one or more depictions of an anatomical region of interest that includes the structure of interest, wherein each depiction shows the structure of interest and/or the blood pool volume of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) of the patient's heart. The method further comprises designating one or more positions in at least one of the one or more depictions wherein each position corresponds to a respective position in the structure of interest at which the prosthetic valve may be placed. The method still further comprises predicting, for each of the one or more designated positions, an amount of blood flow obstruction through the LVOT of the patient's heart that would occur if the prosthetic valve was to be placed at a corresponding position in the structure of interest.