Prosthetic Valve with Dynamic Elongate Member for Fluid Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current prosthetic valves lack the ability to transform from a compressed configuration to an expanded configuration efficiently, limiting their deployment and functionality in regulating fluid flow within the body, particularly in the heart, where they are needed to address conditions like elevated blood pressure.
Innovation Solution
The development of prosthetic valves with a body member and elongate member that can change from a longitudinal orientation to a diametrical orientation, allowing the valve to expand and assume a cylindrical shape, enabling it to alternate between open and closed states, and be positioned at various sites within the heart using a minimally invasive delivery system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the prosthetic valve is designed to be delivered in a compressed configuration, then the delivery profile and invasiveness are reduced, but the valve cannot effectively regulate fluid flow until expanded
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthetic valve is designed with dynamic transformation capability, transitioning from a compressed configuration during delivery to an expanded configuration at the implantation site. The body member and elongate member can change their spatial arrangement, allowing the valve to adapt its structure to achieve both compact delivery and functional expansion for effective fluid flow regulation.
2Device complexity
If the prosthetic valve remains in a compressed configuration, then the device complexity is reduced, but the valve cannot alternate between open and closed states
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthetic valve is divided into distinct segments including a body member and an elongate member that can move relative to each other. The elongate member can transition between longitudinal and diametrical orientations, enabling the valve to alternate between open and closed states while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
3Manufacturing precision
If the elongate member is fixed in a longitudinal orientation, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the valve cannot transform to a diametrical orientation for proper positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The elongate member is designed with dynamic reconfigurability, allowing it to change from a longitudinal orientation during delivery to a diametrical orientation at the implantation site. This dynamic transformation enables the valve to achieve proper positioning and functionality while maintaining manufacturing precision through controlled shape memory material properties.
4Reliability
If the prosthetic valve is expanded to a cylindrical shape, then the fluid flow regulation capability is improved, but the delivery system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthetic valve is designed to nest within a delivery system in a compressed configuration, allowing it to be delivered through minimally invasive access. Upon deployment, the valve expands from the nested state to its functional cylindrical shape, enabling effective fluid flow regulation. The delivery system provides the necessary structure for controlled expansion and positioning.
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
This transformation enables the prosthetic valve to effectively regulate fluid flow, prevent backflow, and be securely positioned at target sites within the heart, improving control of blood flow and treating conditions associated with elevated blood pressure.
Implementation Method 1
the elongate member and the body member comprise a shape memory material shape set to position the elongate member across the first end of the body member when the prosthetic valve is in the expanded configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A prosthetic valve can comprise a body member having a first end and a second end, the body member defining a conduit and being configured to assume a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration, a lateral dimension of the body member being larger in the expanded configuration than that in the compressed configuration. An elongate member can have a first end associated with the first end of the body member, the elongate member being configured to move between a longitudinal orientation and a diametrical orientation. A covering can be coupled to the elongate member and configured to cover at least a portion of the conduit at the first end of the body member when the elongate member is in the diametrical orientation.