Prosthetic Valve Docking Station for Large-Annulus Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transcatheter heart valves (THVs) are often too small to securely expand and anchor in larger diameter blood vessels or annuli, such as the aorta, due to the mismatch in size and shape, leading to challenges in securing them in place and preventing blood regurgitation.
Innovation Solution
A radially expandable and collapsible docking station with a frame comprising struts and a valve seat is used to anchor and retain a prosthetic heart valve, featuring a sealing member to form a seal with the body lumen and a valve seat configured to receive the expandable prosthetic valve, allowing secure implantation even in larger diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a transcatheter heart valve is used in a larger diameter blood vessel or annulus, then the valve size is insufficient to securely anchor and seal, but increasing the valve size may cause other complications or be unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station acts as an intermediary device between the transcatheter heart valve and the larger diameter blood vessel or annulus. The docking station is expanded to a larger diameter than the valve itself, allowing it to anchor securely in the larger vessel while providing a seat for the smaller valve. This mediator structure enables the smaller valve to function effectively in larger anatomical structures where it would otherwise be too small to secure properly.
2Reliability
If a larger docking station is deployed to anchor the valve in larger vessels, then the sealing capability is improved, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station is divided into distinct functional segments: an expandable frame structure that provides the larger diameter anchor, a sealing member that forms the seal with the blood vessel or annulus, and a valve seat that receives and supports the transcatheter heart valve. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together as an integrated system, managing overall device complexity through modular design.
3Ease of operation
If the valve is expanded to its functional size at the implantation site, then the valve functionality is achieved, but the valve may not provide sufficient anchor in larger diameter structures
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station is deployed and expanded to its functional size before the transcatheter heart valve is expanded. This preliminary action creates a stable, larger diameter anchor structure and valve seat that will support and contain the subsequently deployed valve. The docking station is positioned and secured in the larger blood vessel or annulus first, establishing a reliable anchor that prevents migration of the smaller valve that will be deployed into it.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The docking station facilitates secure implantation of prosthetic heart valves in larger vessels by forming a seal and preventing blood regurgitation, while minimizing interference with blood flow and reducing the risk of migration.
Implementation Method 1
a radially expandable and collapsible frame comprising a first plurality of struts
Implementation Method 2
a sealing member disposed on the outflow end portion and configured to form a seal between the docking station and a body lumen
Implementation Method 3
a valve seat coupled to the frame and configured to receive an expandable prosthetic valve, the valve seat comprising a second plurality of struts coupled to the frame extending in a downstream direction and angled inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of the frame
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
A docking station for a prosthetic heart valve includes a radially expandable and collapsible frame with a first plurality of struts, an inflow end portion, an outflow end portion, and a longitudinal axis. A sealing member is disposed on the outflow end portion and configured to form a seal between the docking station and a body lumen. The docking station further includes a valve seat coupled to the frame and configured to receive an expandable prosthetic valve. The valve seat includes a second plurality of struts coupled to the frame and extending in a downstream direction and angled inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of the frame.