Prosthetic Valve Delivery With Controlled Inflow and Outflow Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heart valve replacement technologies, particularly for pulmonary valves, are limited by the narrow size range of available valved segments, making them unsuitable for patients with enlarged right ventricular outflow tracts, and require invasive surgeries that are risky for certain patients.

Innovation Solution

A delivery system with inflow and outflow capture devices, comprising coils and a retractable sheath, allows for the controlled release and expansion of prosthetic valves within the body lumen, enabling secure implantation in larger anatomical sites through minimally invasive procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If venous valvular replacements with diameter limit of 22 mm are used, then the procedure is minimally invasive, but the device cannot be securely implanted in patients with enlarged right ventricular outflow tracts larger than 22 mm

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveminimally invasive procedureVSAvoidapplicability to patients with enlarged right ventricular outflow tracts
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the size parameter of the prosthetic valve device by providing multiple expandable frames with different diameter ranges (22-32 mm, 32-42 mm, 42-52 mm) to accommodate patients with enlarged right ventricular outflow tracts, while maintaining the minimally invasive percutaneous delivery approach

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs an expandable frame structure that transitions from a compressed delivery state to an expanded deployed state, allowing the device to adapt to different anatomical sizes while being delivered through a minimally invasive percutaneous approach

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If open heart surgery is performed for heart valve replacement, then the malfunctioning valve can be replaced, but the patient requires general anesthesia, full cardiopulmonary bypass, extended hospitalization, and several weeks to months of recuperation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve replacement effectivenessVSAvoidsurgical procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex mechanical open heart surgery system (requiring sternotomy, cardiopulmonary bypass, and general anesthesia) with a minimally invasive percutaneous catheter-based delivery system that achieves the same valve replacement function through vascular access

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a delivery catheter system as an intermediary to deliver the prosthetic valve device through the vascular system to the target location, avoiding the need for direct surgical access to the heart and eliminating the need for cardiopulmonary bypass

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4146124B1Delivery system for prosthetic valve device having controlled release of inflow and outflow ends
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 MEDTRONIC VASCULAR INC
  • EP4146124B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1A
  • EP4146124B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~1C
  • EP4146124B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A delivery system for a prosthetic valve device includes a first shaft including an outflow capture device mounted on a distal end thereof, a second shaft slidingly disposed over the first shaft and including an inflow capture device mounted on a distal end thereof, and a retractable sheath slidingly disposed over the second shaft to hold the prosthetic valve device in a radially compressed configuration for delivery to a body lumen. The inflow capture device is configured for releasable engagement through openings in a plurality of first attachment members on the device. The outflow capture device is configured for releasable engagement through openings in a plurality of second attachment members on the device.