Prosthetic Valve Delivery Assembly with Multi-Stranded Release Cords
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Challenges in the controlled implantation of self-expandable prosthetic valves include rapid expansion during sheath retraction, potential trauma to the native site, and entanglement or failure of sutures used for attachment to the delivery catheter.
Innovation Solution
A prosthetic implant delivery assembly featuring a delivery apparatus with a cord-retaining device and multi-stranded cords, such as braided or twisted constructions, secures the prosthetic valve to the apparatus, allowing controlled release and expansion at the desired implantation site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single suture or plurality of sutures is used to releasably attach a prosthetic valve to the delivery catheter, then the prosthetic valve can be released after deployment, but entanglement between sutures and potential suture failure may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The suture is divided into multiple separate strands (typically 3-6 strands) rather than using a single continuous suture. Each strand is independently managed and attached to the delivery catheter, which prevents entanglement between sutures while maintaining reliable attachment of the prosthetic valve to the delivery system.
2Ease of operation
If self-expandable prosthetic valve is used, then implantation can be performed minimally invasively, but rapid expansion during sheath retraction may cause trauma to the native site
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthetic valve is pre-assembled in the compressed state on the delivery catheter with all attachment mechanisms prepared. The delivery sheath is positioned and secured before reaching the implantation site, allowing controlled deployment only when properly positioned, thereby preventing premature expansion and trauma to the native site.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery sheath acts as an intermediary constraint that controls the expansion of the self-expandable prosthetic valve. By maintaining the valve in a compressed state within the sheath during delivery and only allowing expansion when properly positioned, the sheath mediates between the valve's self-expanding force and the need to prevent trauma to the native site.
3Ease of operation
If multiple sutures are used to secure the prosthetic valve to the delivery catheter, then controlled release is possible, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery catheter is designed with integrated attachment mechanisms that serve multiple functions: securing multiple suture strands, maintaining valve position, and enabling controlled release. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate complex components while achieving controlled release capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A delivery assembly comprises a delivery apparatus and a prosthetic valve releasably connected to a cord-retaining device of the delivery apparatus by a plurality of cords or tethers. The cords desirably have a multi-stranded construction formed from a plurality of strands of material. The multi-stranded construction can be, for example, a braided construction, a twisted construction, or a whip-stitch construction. The multi-stranded construction can include integral openings along opposing end portions of each cord. Each cord can extend through an aperture in an apex of the frame of the prosthetic valve or around an apex with one end portion of the cord being retained on the cord-retaining device and another end portion of the cord being retained on a slideable release member of the delivery apparatus.