Prosthetic Heart Valve Segmented Stent Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current prosthetic heart valves designed for less invasive delivery methods face challenges such as long-term durability issues, potential impingement on the adjacent mitral valve, and paravalvular leakage.
Innovation Solution
A prosthetic heart valve with an annular supporting structure comprising an annular stent portion and a ring portion concentric with the stent but downstream in blood flow direction, connected by flexible strut structures. The valve is designed to be annularly compressible and re-expandable, with features such as a skirt portion that radially flares and barbs for tissue engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a collapsible prosthetic valve is delivered via catheter-like instrumentation for less invasive implantation, then the ease of operation and patient suitability improve, but long-term durability and structural reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting structure is divided into two distinct annular portions: a stent portion positioned at the valve annulus and a ring portion positioned downstream in the aorta. These portions are connected by flexible strut structures, creating a segmented design that allows each component to fulfill specific functions while maintaining overall structural integrity for long-term durability
Solution Approach 2:
The collapsible prosthetic valve is designed to be nested within a delivery catheter in a compressed state for less invasive implantation. The valve can be temporarily collapsed during delivery and then expanded to its full size at the implantation site, allowing catheter-like instrumentation to pass through smaller access points while maintaining the valve's full functional dimensions after deployment
2Strength
If the prosthetic valve is positioned close to the native valve annulus for secure anchoring, then the anchoring strength improves, but the risk of impingement on the adjacent mitral valve increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting structure extends in the axial dimension downstream from the valve annulus, with the ring portion positioned in the aorta away from the mitral valve. This axial extension allows the valve to be securely anchored at the annulus while the downstream ring portion provides additional anchoring in a dimension that does not interfere with adjacent cardiac structures
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting structure is segmented into a stent portion at the valve annulus for primary anchoring and a ring portion downstream in the aorta for secondary anchoring. This segmentation allows the valve to achieve secure fixation through multiple anchoring zones while maintaining safe distances from the mitral valve to prevent impingement
3Stability of the object's composition
If the supporting structure is made rigid for structural stability, then the structural stability improves, but the ability to be compressed for less invasive delivery deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting structure incorporates flexible strut structures that allow the ring portion to dynamically adjust its configuration. The struts can bend and flex during compression for delivery through catheters, then provide rigid structural stability when expanded at the implantation site, enabling the structure to transition between compliant and stable states
Data Source
AI summary
A prosthetic heart valve (e.g., a prosthetic aortic valve) is designed to be somewhat circumferentially collapsible and then re-expandable. The collapsed condition may be used for less invasive delivery of the valve into a patient. When the valve reaches the implant site in the patient, it re-expands to normal operating size, and also to engage surrounding tissue of the patient. The valve includes a stent portion and a ring portion that is substantially concentric with the stent portion but downstream from the stent portion in the direction of blood flow through the implanted valve. When the valve is implanted, the stent portion engages the patient's tissue at or near the native valve annulus, while the ring portion engages tissue downstream from the native valve site (e.g., the aorta).