Prosthetic Valve Leaflet Grouping by Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prosthetic heart valves face challenges in ensuring proper coaptation of leaflets to prevent blood leakage, as existing methods lack an efficient system for grouping leaflets based on their flexibility, which is crucial for effective valve function.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a tester with movable bars and image sensors to assess the flexibility of prosthetic heart valve leaflets, categorize them, and group them accordingly to ensure optimal coaptation, involving image analysis to derive leaflet-flexibility values and assign categories for accurate grouping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If leaflets are randomly assembled into prosthetic valves, then assembly is simple and quick, but coaptation performance deteriorates and blood leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-testing individual leaflets for flexibility before assembly and pre-grouping them into sets based on measured flexibility values. This allows the assembly process to proceed efficiently without requiring complex real-time adjustments, as leaflets are already sorted and prepared in advance according to their mechanical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of leaflet flexibility measurement and grouping. By quantifying flexibility as a measurable parameter and using this parameter to sort and group leaflets, the system achieves both reliable coaptation performance and efficient assembly. The flexibility values serve as the key parameter that enables systematic organization of leaflets.
2Reliability
If leaflets are grouped by flexibility measurement, then coaptation performance improves, but measurement and sorting complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the leaflet population into distinct groups based on flexibility measurements. Each group contains leaflets with similar flexibility characteristics, which simplifies the assembly process and improves coaptation performance. The segmentation is based on measured flexibility values and creates manageable categories for systematic assembly.
3Measurement precision
If flexibility testing is performed on all leaflets, then grouping accuracy improves, but testing time and resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies continuity of useful action by implementing an ongoing flexibility testing and grouping process that integrates into the normal workflow of prosthetic valve preparation. Rather than treating testing as a separate, time-consuming step, the system continuously measures and groups leaflets as part of the assembly preparation, maintaining steady progress without significant delays.
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 system effectively groups leaflets by flexibility, enhancing the coaptation of prosthetic heart valves, thereby reducing blood leakage and improving the overall performance of the valves.
Implementation Method 1
an image sensor positioned opposite the mount and configured to acquire an image of the leaflet draped over the bar
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A method for grouping prosthetic valve leaflets of an aggregate of prosthetic valve leaflets (30) is provided. Using a computer processor (40), for each leaflet of the aggregate, in response to an image parameter of the leaflet, a leaflet-flexibility value is derived (318). A group size value is provided to the processor. Using the processor, at least some of the leaflets of the aggregate are designated into leaflet groups, based on similarity between the respective leaflet-flexibility value of each leaflet of the aggregate (326). Each of the leaflet groups includes a number of leaflets equal to the group size value. Using the processor, an indication of the designated leaflet groups is outputted (328). Other embodiments are also described.